Malta 10
Turkey 10
(3-3, 2-0, 3-5, 2-2 – Malta win 4-3 after penalty shoot-out)
Maltese waterpolo wrote a new chapter in its annals as the national team clinched their first victory on their debut in the European Championships after defeating Turkey in a penalty-shoot-out to avoid bottom place in the final rankings, in Belgrade, yesterday.
The team was coming from six successive defeats in the tournament but against Turkey they followed coach Karl Izzo’s instructions to the book to return home with heads held high after playing against some of the best teams on the continent including Serbia, Croatia and Spain.
Nicky Grixti produced another fine match in Malta’s goal. He stole the show with a series of outstanding saves, including two stops in the shoot-out.
Izzo was visibly delighted that the national team had succeeded in winning a match in their maiden Euro campaign.
“We’re so proud of our players… this was history in the making,” Izzo told Times of Malta.
“I would say this is the greatest result ever for the national team and all players contributed to the success. We played a very solid match and could have settled the issue in regular time. However, we were unlucky in some of our attacking conclusions.”
Turkey approached the tournament with higher expectations having engaged the services of some naturalised players in their squad.
“I think we exceeded expectations against a Turkey side that boasted at least three Serbian-born players in their line-up,” Izzo remarked.
“It was a tense match but our boys did well to control their nerves and complete the job in the shoot-out.”
Malta had a good start to the match as after sharing six goals they scored twice without reply before half-time to change ends 5-3 ahead.
But the Turks fought back in the third quarter, which they won 5-3, for the two teams to go into the final quarter level at eight-all.
The tension was high as Steve Camilleri gave Malta a 10-9 lead only for Osman Gulenc to level matters and force the penalty shoot-out.
Malta missed one penalty but Grixti kept out efforts from Cemil Ozbakis and Halil Beskardesler before Camilleri rifled home the decisive penalty to seal the win.
“Nicky Grixti had a great tournament here… he is such a talented goalkeeper,” Izzo said.
“His positioning and saves instilled a lot of confidence in our players when defending against the Turks.
“Again, Steve Camilleri was outstanding and some of his goals came at the right moment for us. Despite our position, he is among the leading goal-scorers in the championships.”
Aurelien Cousin and Jordan Camilleri played key roles in defence against Turkey as John Brownrigg and Jerome Gabaretta alternated excellently in the centre after Matthew Zammit was fouled out midway through the fourth session.
“Dino Zammit also played his part and succeeded in scoring his penalty during the shoot-out,” Izzo added.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed after the match that veteran skipper Niki Lanzon would be retiring from the national team.
“We would like to thank Niki Lanzon for being a great captain and an excellent team player,” Izzo said.
“He has been a great role model to the young players coming up and we’re all pleased that he ended his national team career on such a positive note here in Belgrade.”
MALTA: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, J. Gabaretta 1, N. Bugelli, M. Meli 1, M. Zammit 1, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri, J. Brownrigg 1, A. Cousin 2, B. Plumpton, D. Zammit, N. Grixti.
Penalty Sequence
Ozbakis (T) saved 0-0; Lanzon (M) saved 0-0; Okman (T) scores 1-0; Meli (M) scores 1-1; Sonmez (T) scores 2-1; D. Zammit (M) scores 2-2; Beskardesler (T) saved 2-2; J. Camilleri (M) scores 3-2; Sutalo (T) scores 3-3; S. Camilleri (M) scores 4-3.
Results
15-16 place: Malta vs Turkey 10-10 (Malta win 4-3 on penalties).
13-14: Slovakia vs Georgia 10-9.
Women’s 3-4th: Spain vs Italy 9-10.
Women’s final: Netherlands vs Hungary 7-9.
Playing today
11-12 place: 9am Germany vs Netherlands.
9-10: 10.30am Romania vs France.
7-8: noon Russia vs Croatia
5-6: 1.30pm Spain vs Italy.
3-4: 4.15pm Greece vs Hungary.
Final: 5.45pm Serbia vs Montenegro.