The Maltese national team at this year’s Euro Championship for small nations (men), currently under way in Gibraltar, chalked up their second win from as many matches yesterday to make sure of top place in Group B.

The team led by coach Paolo di Fonzo, who beat Scotland 87-82 on Monday, maintained their winning record with a high-scoring 93-75 win over Wales which means the Maltese players will get an extra rest-day ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final in the six-team tournament.

Darryl Jackson, Omar Said and Samuel Deguara were all in fine form but the opening two quarters were close with Malta going in for the half-time break enjoying a minimal lead of two points only – 43-41.

Wales went ahead for the first time after the interval but it did not take Di Fonzo’s men too long to regain the initiative following successive points by Deguara, Said, Jackson and Michael Naudi to end the quarter 62-57 in front.

Malta sealed victory with a solid 16-4 run early in the fourth quarter. Deguara’s trey eased his team-mates’ nerves before the comfortable victory was completed.

Jackson netted 25 points, including four three-pointers, as Said netted five times from outside the arc in his 18 points.

Deguara also had 18 points. His match-card also had 22 rebounds and six blocked shots.