The Maltese waterpolo team were more in the news than normal at this time of the year following their participation in the 2016 European Championships in Belgrade.
Qualification was attained in autumn last year but there was great curiosity to see how Karl Izzo’s team would fare against the elite nations on the continent in their very first showing in the 16-team finals.
As expected, a few heavy defeats were unavoidable as Malta came up against world champions Serbia, Olympic gold medallists Croatia and European greats Spain.
However, as the classification matches entered a decisive stage, it became evident that the Maltese were reaching a peak. Their efforts were rewarded when they beat Turkey in their last match to avoid bottom place in the final rankings.
Steve Camilleri was our star performer at the Kombank Arena. The 28-year-old exceeded all expectations when finishing as the competition’s leading scorer with 21 goals from seven matches.
This was no mean feat, considering that Camilleri had done better than some of the best waterpolo players in the world, the likes of Hungary’s Denes Varga (19 goals) and Serbia’s Andrija Prlainovic, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player who managed 18.
“The top scorer award fills me with great pride,” Camilleri told The Sunday Times of Malta.
“As an attacking player, scoring goals is my duty but everyone knows that I would have not managed so many without the help of the team.
“During the tournament, I was man-marked in all matches we played but my team-mates always put me in a good position to shoot at goal.
“On a personal level, this is one of the most memorable awards I have ever won.”
Despite all the plaudits received, also from the foreign media, Camilleri prefers to highlight the team’s performances.
“When we headed for the tournament we didn’t really know what was in store for us. We played international matches before but this was our first experience at this level… all the odds were stacked against us,” Camilleri said.
“The other nations banked on full lists of professional players but I was the only pro on Malta’s roster. But there was great unity in the group and that helps a lot on such occasions.
“We played for each other and I think our win over Turkey was just reward for our efforts.
“The feeling was great at the end of the tournament.”
Despite the commendable result achieved in Belgrade, Camilleri is refusing to rest on his laurels.
“Our goal has to be to participate in this event on a regular basis,” Camilleri said.
“Playing in the Euro Championships was a fabulous experience and all the players are hungry for more. At present we are ranked 15th in Europe and although it is impossible for us to challenge for the top positions, I think that we can certainly aspire to move further up the ladder.”
The Ortigia player believes that to reach this goal, Maltese waterpolo needs to export more players to overseas leagues.
“Having more players turning out in foreign leagues is crucial if Malta is to step up its progress,” Camilleri said.
“I think that the way forward for our association is to pick its most talented players and try to get them to an overseas club.
“It’s true that it’s not easy for young Maltese players to earn contracts abroad but if the ASA manages to raise the necessary funds to pay their salaries, it would make things easier for our upcoming youngsters to secure contracts abroad.
“It would surely help them to maximise their potential.”
Camilleri certainly knows what it takes to make the grade abroad. Over the past 10 years, he has played for several foreign clubs, namely Partizan Belgrade, Bogliasco and Sette Scogli before moving to Ortigia at the start of this season.
Asked whether he hopes his performances in Belgrade could help him secure a move to a big European club, Camilleri said: “I hope so. I joined Ortigia this season and I’m quite happy there but obviously if a better club approaches me I would surely consider it.
“I am at the peak of my career and I want to play at the highest level as long as possible.”
Ortigia, currently fourth from bottom, are finding the going tough in the Italian top flight this term but Camilleri is hopeful they can avoid relegation.
“Our position in the standings is not ideal,” Camilleri, second in the A1 scorers’ list with 27 goals, admitted.
“We are fourth from last and our goal is to avoid the play-out.
“It’s not going to be easy but I hope that I can maintain my good form of late to help the team retain its top-flight status for another season.”
Future plans
Once the Italian season comes to a close, Camilleri will return to Malta to spearhead Neptunes’ charge to reclaim the league title from rivals San Ġiljan.
The Malta talisman is keeping his options open with regards to his future as he enters the final year of his contract with the Balluta Bay team.
“I have one year left on my contract with Neptunes and I have not made up my mind on what I want to do in the future,” Camilleri said.
“I will approach the upcoming commitments with my club with the usual professionalism and once the Maltese season is over, I will sit down and see what is best for my future.”