Netherlands 19
Malta 11

(4-2, 3-4, 8-4, 4-1)

An improved performance was not enough to prevent a second consecutive defeat as Malta went down 19-11 to the Netherlands in their second match from the first qualification round tournament of the 2016 European Championships yesterday.

Malta had started their campaign in Utrecht with a 20-4 upset to favourites France on Friday but fared better against the solid Dutch.

Karl Izzo’s team stayed in touch with the hosts in the first two sessions but faltered in the final two as the Dutch set up a decisive clash with France for top spot in Group C.

“I was pleased with our performance today,” Izzo told The Sunday Times of Malta after yesterday’s game.

“I was not happy with the team’s approach against France but we showed more fighting spirit today. The Dutch have a very strong team and have been preparing very seriously for this tournament.”

Steve Camilleri, currently plying his trade with Italian Serie A2 team Circolo Cannottieri Sette Scogli, led the scoring for Malta with four goals while San Ġiljan’s Matthew Zammit netted three times. Neptunes player Michele Stellini weighed in with two while team-mate Jordan Camilleri and Michael Rizzo, of Valletta, scored one each.

Malta are expected to end their commitments with a win this afternoon as they meet Latvia who have suffered humiliating defeats to the Netherlands (52-0) and France (39-0).

Today: 12.30 Malta-Latvia; 14.00 Netherlands-France.

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