After their success last month when qualifying for the inaugural European Games to be held in Azerbaijan in June, the Malta U-17 team again struck a triumphant note when they beat Austria 15-8 in the final of the EU Nations Junior Cup held at the National Pool, Tal-Qroqq, yesterday.

After proceeding through the group stages when defeating Wales, Denmark and the Czech Republic with convincing scorelines, Malta ‘A’ came across their fellow countrymen representing the ‘B’ team whom they beat 15-2 on Saturday to qualify for the final.

The Austrians, who defeated the Czech Republic 9-6 in the other semi-final, had the better of the Malta ‘B’ team, Ireland and Scotland in the ‘B’ group matches.

The match against the Austrians turned out to be another clear-cut victory for the locals who were masters especially in the latter sessions.

Malta ‘A’ were again led by the star and top scorer of the tournament, Ben Plumpton, who totalled a mammoth 42 strikes in five matches after netting seven goals yesterday.

Having played with power and panache when winning each of the four previous games, the Maltese youngsters got their act together against opponents who had no answer to the collective play of Karl Izzo’s side. Good execution when within striking distance sent the opposing net rippling time and again even if more regularly in the last quarters.

In the match for third place, Malta ‘B’ beat the Czech Republic 9-7 to wind up a successful day for the host country.

At the end of the last match ASA president, Joe Caruana Curran, and vice-president, Karl Galea, presented cups to the captains of the first three-placed teams and plaques to all the other participants.

Plumpton was presented with the most valuable player and top-scorer of the tournament awards, Frederick Buhagiar with the best goalkeeper award, while the Malta ‘A’ players were presented with winners medals.

Other results: Denmark vs Wales 8-6; Scotland vs Ireland 7-5.

Final placings: 1. Malta; 2. Austria; 3. Malta ‘B’; 4. Czech Republic; 5. Denmark; 6. Wales; 7. Scotland; 8. Ireland.

Summaries

Malta ‘A’ 15
Austria 8

(2-0, 3-3, 6-3, 4-2)

Malta: J. Tanti, D. Fenech 1, M. Manara, J. Sciberras 3, N. Farrugia, B. Plumpton 7, J. Galea, J. Gambin, M. Azzopardi, D. Zammit 2, K. Navarro 1, L. Calleja 1, M. Muscat, M. Cutajar, M. Muscat

Austria: S. Biljaka, J. Celebic 4, N. Karakas 2, O. Celebic, O. Donkovic, D. Sommer, D. Altmann 1, R. Gartner, F. Kelemen 1, K. Holzer, H. Hanslin, F. Gruber, F. Caprini

Referees: S. O’Brien ( Ireland), J. Kopenec (Czeh Rep.)

Malta ‘B’ 9
Czech Republic 7

(2-1, 3-2, 2-1, 2-3)

Malta ‘B’: F. Buhagiar, K. Erdogan,J. Culic, L. Galea, J. Zerafa Gregory 2, K. Tanti, B. Grech 1, I. Riolo 1, L. Saliba, N. Zammit, M. Aquilina 4, S. Apap 1, O. Gauci, N. Saliba, E. Carabott.

Czech Republic: M. Kazda, M. Dusek, T. Rumanek 1, L. Razl 1, P. Pacas 1, V. Karel 1, J. Bohutinsky 1, M. Jirota 2, P. Sojka, J. Simacek, A. Mynar, M. Cicvarek, M. Kopecky

Referees: A. Goncharenko (Uk-raine), M. Kristensen (Denmark).

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