The Maltese team will be playing in the LEN U-20 qualifying tournament this week at the National Pool, Tal-Qroqq.

The competition, which starts today, also involves the youth teams of Netherlands, Russia, Moldova and Israel. The first two at the end of the group matches will join eight other teams already through to the next phase of the U-20 championship.

Today's first match, starting at 5 p.m., will be between Israel and Netherlands. Malta face Moldova in the second fixture.

The Maltese, who have just completed an intensive build-up to the tournament with participation in this year's Winter League, will again be in action tomorrow (vs Israel), on Saturday (vs Russia) and on Sunday (vs Netherlands).

The hosts will be playing all their four matches with a 6.30 p.m. start. There will be no charge at the entrance.

The ASA of Malta will also host the LEN Euro 'B' Championship qualifiers between May 8 and 10.

Apart from Malta, the other teams seeking the top two places and promotion will be Georgia, Finland and Ireland.

Zammit shines

Matthew Zammit, currently on contract with RN Imperia in the Italian Serie A2, was in top form recently as he scored three goals in his team's 8-5 victory over Camogli. Besides netting a hat-trick, the 21-year-old San Ġiljan player also helped his team by winning several exclusions in their favour.

Leaders Imperia have now opened a gap of seven points over the same Camogli, and with five games to go are almost certain to win the championship, after which they will be involved in the play-offs for promotion to the top division.

Zammit is third in his team's scorers' list with 18 goals so far.

He is expected in Malta in the next few days to play for the national team in the qualifying group matches of the European 'B' Championship.

Meanwhile, Steve Camilleri, who returned from his successful six-month playing sojourn with RN Bogliasco some weeks ago but did not turn up for his team Neptunes in the Winter League, will also be in the Maltese squad.