Team Malta's participation in the 2009 Mediterranean Games didn't get off to the best of starts yesterday as the football team and the women's basketball side suffered comprehensive defeats.

Malta's U-20 football team, under the guidance of coach Edwin Camilleri, went down 5-0 to Turkey in their opening Group B match at the Teramo Municipal Stadium. After taking a 2-0 half-time lead, Turkey hit three more goals in the second half to atone for their 2-0 upset to France on Thursday.

Eren Albayrak scored a brace for the Turks with the other goals coming from Sahin Aygunes, Yigit Gokoglan and Baris Basdas.

Mark Scerri and Kane Micallef went close for Malta but their efforts were saved by Turkey goalkeeper Fehmi Mert Gunok.

Malta's starting formation: T. Galea, S. Bonnici, T. Fleri Soler, G. Gribbon, T. Farrugia, M. Scerri, G. Goodlip, K. Micallef, B. Muscat, A. Borg, K. Pulo.

Malta meet France in their final Pool B match tomorrow.

In women's basketball, Greece were too strong for Malta in yesterday's opening Group B match at the Elettra Sports Hall.

The Greeks won all four sessions as they cruised to a 102-57 victory. After ending the first quarter 34-15 behind, Santino Coppa's girls, who won the gold medal at this year's Cyprus GSSE, upped their game in the second which they lost 24-17.

Greece remained in control, winning the third quarter by a seven-point margin, 20-13 and the fourth 24-12 for an emphatic win.

Rebecca Brincat Thoresen, Malta's star peformer in the Cyprus GSSE, finished as the game's top scorer with 22 points. Josephine Grima hit 18 points.

Malta face Turkey in their second match this evening.

Serbia beat Turkey 80-64 yesterday.

The top two finishers in each group will contest the semi-finals.

Team Malta's schedule (today): Women's basketball - Malta vs Turkey; Bowls - Raffa Doubles (D. Farrugia, R. Farrugua); Sailing - Laser Radial (Maya Podesta); Shooting - Trap (N. Attard).