Not having to contend with their limitations when confronting the superpowers of continental waterpolo, Malta were involved in a match against a team in the lower echelons of Europe’s second tier at Tal-Qroqq, yesterday morning.
It was a test to overcome the pressure of expecting a positive result.
That was passed with something to spare.
Their match against Israel illustrated the Maltese players’ qualities of self-belief when they beat their opponents 13-6.
Their success, the first of the tournament, was the result of superior teamwork and discipline, propelled by the talented Ben Plumpton, scorer of five goals.
Karl Izzo’s lads had a smooth take-off when pulling away to secure a 5-1 lead in the opening session.
That advantage was increased to 8-1 by the halfway mark, with seven goals being shared until then between Plumpton and Kai Dowling, complemented by the eighth from Sean Xerri de Caro.
The Maltese grew edgy in the third quarter, allowing Israel to clip the leeway to 8-4 when winning the session by three clear goals.
The locals’ superior resilience, however, again surfaced in the last session when Andreas Galea’s brace sandwiched Matteo Cacici’s conversion. That was followed by the last two strikes from Plumpton and Benji Lanzon for a victory which rewarded the better team.
Greece too strong
Facing heavyweights Greece was always going to be a daunting task for Malta in their second match yesterday.
Defeat was on the cards against another team who rely on suffocating all-pitch press, strong swimming and clinical executions.
Following the morning success against Israel, it was back to the inevitable for Malta even if the 19-7 defeat was not as heavy as one might have expected given the results against Italy and Serbia.
The Maltese never resorted to blatant negative tactics despite their efforts to utilise their possession period to the maximum. Nicholas Grixti, in goal, pulled off some fine saves including a penalty but could do nothing when facing an unmarked Greek player.
Overall, one of the visitors’ weapons was their knack to pounce on our physical deficiences as their numerous steals demonstrated.
Summaries
Malta 13
Israel 6
(5-1, 3-0, 0-3, 5-2)
Malta: N. Grixti, M. Cacici 1, A. Galea 2, M. Grech, K. Dowling 3, B. Plumpton 5, K. Galea, B. Lanzon 1, M. Fenech, Z. Sciberras, S. Xerri de Caro 1.
Israel: Y. Fire, A. Marciano 1, N. Gross, Y. Golan, T. Shechter, I. Elkana 1, N. Gutman 2, S. Yakobi, N. Zur, 1, T. Grundyland 1, R. Karpel.
Referees: R. Colombo (Italy), E. Pairaktaridis (Greece).
Greece 19
Malta 7
(5-1, 2-0, 6-4, 6-2)
Greece: E. Zerdevas, C. Papoukas 4, M. Sartzetakis, A. Foskolos 1, E. Prekas 4, D. Nikolaidis 3, P. Kalogerakos 3, G, Kapetanakis 2, S. Argyropoulos 1, A. Athymaritis 1, R. Forotzidis.
Malta: N. Grixti, J. Napier, A. Galea, M. Grech 3, K. Dowling 1, B. Plumpton 2, B. Lanzon, M. Fenech 1, M. Cacici, S. Xerri de Caro, Z. Sciberras.
Referees: R. Colombo, M. Schwarz (Israel).
Yesterday’s other results: Italy vs Greece 13-10; Cyprus vs Serbia 3-32; Serbia vs Israel 28-6; Cyprus vs Italy 1-32.
Current standings: Italy 12 points; Greece, Serbia 9; Malta, Israel 3; Cyprus 0.
Playing today: 09.00 Israel vs Greece; 10.15 Malta vs Cyprus; 11.30 Italy vs Serbia.