The Maltese national team booked their place in the final of the EU 8 Nations Tournament when they had the better of hosts Ireland 17-7 in the semi-final, yesterday.

It was another impressive showing for Karl Izzo’s team who maintained their 100 per cent record in the competition and will now face either Austria or Denmark in today’s final in Limerick.

Niki Lanzon skippered the team to a fine victory after netting six goals while Matthew Zammit and Jerome Gabarretta grabbed a hat-trick each.

The other scorers for the national team against Ireland were Jordan Camilleri (2), Michele Stellini (2) and Mark Meli.

Earlier in the day, the national team had clinched their third successive victory in Group B after easing past Denmark 18-9 to finish top of their section.

Meli (2), Lanzon and Matthew Zammit gave Malta a 4-2 advantage but the second quarter was evenly balanced as six goals were shared.

Two more goals came from Zammit and the other by Jordan Camilleri as Malta led Denmark 7-5 at the interval.

The third session was a one-sided affair. In fact, after the Danes had cut the leeway to one goal, Malta hit back strongly and scored eight times without reply. Camilleri and Lanzon added two goals apiece with Gabarretta, Stellini, Clint Mercieca and Zammit putting the team 15-6 ahead.

The last session was purely academic, a brace from Gabaretta and another goal from Stellini completing a comfortable 18-9 win over the Danes.