Club Valletta 6
Steaua Bucharest 21
(0-5, 1-5, 2-5, 3-6)
The Maltese representative team at the European Cup qualifying Round Two were again submerged under an avalanche of goals when going down 21-6 to Steaua Buc-harest in yesterday’s closing Group B match at Tal-Qroqq.
The hosts’ capitulation was anticipated given the quality of the opponents who have qualified for the next stage of the competition.
Club Valletta were again a subdued lot, this time practically as soon as the match started.
They were again two short of their 13-man squad as the injury bug this time hit Clint Mercieca, another established player, and Zach Mizzi, never mind the re-inclusion of captain Niki Lanzon and Alex Attard despite their approximative physical condition.
To add to Karl Izzo’s woes Matthew Zammit was excluded with substitution very early in the match for a minor gesture of dissent. That left the team with 10 effective units and a mountain to climb and before the hosts knew it the red light was ominously flashing in their faces.
Consequently the energies became increasingly drained and, with the Romanians upping their striking momentum, double figures were reached by mid-point.
The goal rush continued as nine of the Bucharest players eventually got their names on the scorers’ list.
Coach Karl Izzo could not but acknowledge the superior quality of the opposition.
“The strength of the top continental teams, our weakened team through defections and injuries and a tight eight-match schedule in 10 days had its toll on the team,” Izzo said.
“On the positive side, it was a useful experience for the boys as their learning curve is bound to rise.
“These matches have given me a clearer idea of the prospective candidates for the side to represent Malta in the first qualifying round of the European championship in February.
“Finally, I must say that the players acquitted themselves as best as they could in this championship.
“The unfortunate circumstances did not help but all in all we accrued some benefits as to our future commitments.”
Club Valletta: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Galea, K. Dowling, M. Zammit, C. Cluett 1, B. Plumpton 1, A. Attard, M. Grech, D. Zammit 2, N. Grixti.
Steaua Bucharest: M. Dragusin, D. Teohari 2, M. Gheorghe 1, N. Diaconu 2, M. Chioveanu 3, A. Busila 2, P. Filipovic 6, M. Nastran 1, M. Randic, D. Robu 3, A. Ghiban 1, D. Goanta, I. Florea.
Referees: A. Bender (Germany), A. Voevodin (Russia).
Final standings
Mornar Split (4-0-0) 12; Steaua Bucharest (3-0-1) 9; Montpellier (2-0-2) 6; Primorac Kotor (1-0-3) 3; Club Valletta (0-0-4) 0.