Alex Vella talks to coach Karl Izzo about Malta’s latest feat in qualifying for the finals of a major international championship – the European Games in Azerbaijan this year.

Two years of preparation gained momentum some months ago when coach Karl Izzo and his assistant Anthony Farrugia picked a wide base of U-17 players to be eventually pruned down to 13 for international competitions. This was by no means an easy exercise given the talent available.

The preparation was conducted on the lines of modern concepts of waterpolo so that our youths could be better tuned to the rigours of today’s game. It was a long-term project which the ASA had planned and left in the able hands of the coaches.

The first big target was the qualification matches for the inaugural edition of the European Games between June 12 and 22 in Azerbaijan which comprises about 20 different sports disciplines.

Malta was grouped with Germany, Great Britain, Latvia and Switzerland, with the ASA hosting one of four qualifying tournaments.

With two countries to qualify from each pool the coaches sensed that the team stood a fair chance of proceeding to the last 16 in Baku.

As the matches unfolded the Malta-Great Britain match turned out to be the decisive tie for second place and eventual qualification.

There was great jubilation when Malta U-17 beat the Britons 7-6 to make sure of a trip to eastern Europe in June.

“I was optimistic that the boys could do it... hard work gets rewarded,” Izzo told The Times.

“A tournament in Brno and training camps in Syracuse and Ostia supplemented sessions of rigorous work-outs.”

“Our training was based on constant aggressive play which gave us notable results in our defence,” Izzo added.

“We could boast of an excellent goalkeeper and very good teamwork. I was very happy with all the 13 players who all played their part when called in play.”

In fact, led by kingpin Ben Plumpton and Jake Tanti, the team functioned well and Izzo could make constant changes to keep stability in the side.

Asked about any shortcomings, he referred to some missed chances against Great Britain.

“This was also the result of the pressure the boys had in this very important game.

“I think we were more superior than the one-goal advantage in the final scoreline,” the coach remarked.

Stressing the improvement the team made thanks to an enhanced training regime, Izzo said that this progress was considerable.

“We had set qualification goal for a major championship over a ten-year period and this was achieved in two years,” he said.

The head coach also showed his appreciation to others who made this feat possible.

“This success would have never been achieved without the constant help of the ASA especially that of president Joe Caruana Curran who believed blindly in this team and gave me the opportunity to prepare the lads in the best possible way,” Izzo contended.

“A very big thank you to my coaching staff, Anthony Farrugia and Adrian Cachia, and also to the MOC for funding some of the pre-competition preparation.

“Thanks also to the crowd at Tal-Qroqq when we played the Britons and to the South End Core who coordinated the support made it an evening to remember for Maltese waterpolo.

“We have written history as a milestone has been reached. Now we will continue building on this,” a gleaming Izzo concluded.

The first goal has been attained.

The next step for a berth among the elite is a quantum leap. We should strive to reach that target.

EU Nations Cup

Between today and Sunday, the senior national team will be playing in the EU Nations Cup, in Odense, Denmark.

Malta were drawn in Group A along with Denmark ‘B’, Ireland and Switzerland. Denmark ‘A’, Austria, South Africa and Czech Republic are in Group B.

Programme
Today: 1pm Malta vs Denmark ‘B’. 17.20 Ireland vs Malta.
Tomorrow: 13.00 Malta vs Swit-zerland. Semi-finals to follow.
Sunday: Classification matches in the morning. Final at 1pm.

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