For the second consecutive time a Maltese youth selection participated in the annual Coppa Interamnia in Teramo, Italy, between July 4 and 10.

The event, this year marking its 31st edition, attracts numerous youth teams from different countries as the whole Teramo town is transformed in one handball venue.

The Maltese participated in the U-18 category.

They got off to a great start as they easily beat Codm Meknes of Morocco 6-0. This was followed by another positive result - a creditable 8-8 draw with Italians Torelli.

In their next encounter, Malta U-18 were beaten by Antanes of Italy, 11-8, and then they were no match for Cypriots Spe as the latter swept aside the Maltese challenge 22-3.

Malta's remaining qualifying game was against Bjeringbro, of Denmark.

The team followed the coach's instructions almost to perfection but were unlucky not to have gained at least a point as the Danes claimed a narrow 17-16 win.

Following their elimination from the group stages, the Maltese took the opportunity to play a number of friendlies.

They lost to Antares 16-14 and Grossetto 19-17 but beat ESVC Handball, of France, 19-15 after being 10-5 down at half-time.

The squad included Stefan Desira, Imed Ben Moussa, Brendan Cascun, Daniel Tabone, Glenn Zammit, Michael Degiovanni, John Sultana, Matthew Delicata, Karl Borg, Stefan Buttigieg, Andrew Meli, Max Mifsud and Philip Mifsud.

The squad was under the guidance of coach Milos Stanislejevic while Clyde Borg Conti, MHA general secretary, was the head of delegation.