The Malta Handball Association has embarked on an intensive preparation programme leading to the national team’s participation at the Euro 2020 qualification matches, starting next year.

The initiative will see the selected players figuring in various friendly competitions, both locally and abroad ahead of the first matches in the prestigious tournament in June 2017.

The last time the handball team represented the country in the Euro qualifiers was back in 2012. On that occasion, they played against hosts Turkey, Latvia and Estonia.

This week it was also confirmed that the national team will be benefiting from a new sponsorship by TuttoSport’s Joma.

During a short ceremony held recently, TuttoSport’s Eligio Vella presented the new playing kits to national team coach Joseph Tanti in the presence of other officials from the local handball organisation.

Association CEO Clyde Borg Conti said: “Such a sponsorship will definitely help us in our international commitments.”

With Tanti putting more emphasis on match practice, the association is looking to provide as many appointments as possible before the 2017 qualifiers.

At present, the Maltese team is taking part in the Trofeo di Leno, in Brescia.

Play comes to a close tomorrow.

Apart from Malta’s team, the other participants hail from the top leagues in Italy, Bosnia and Switzerland.

The selection for the Trofeo di Leno is composed of goalkeepers Daniel Tanti and Clinton Mifsud; Aidan Tanti, Jerome Zammit, Alan Portelli are the wings; Alex Di Pilato, Chris Magro, Imed Ben Moussa, Christian McClean, Karl Baldacchino and Peter Naudi (backs); and Jeremy Fenech and Damian Gargano the pivots available for coach Tanti.

Joe Attard is also with the handball national squad as the head of delegation.