Malta 7
Netherlands 15
(3-2, 3-5, 0-5, 1-3)

Malta's defeat at the hands of a physically stronger Netherlands team was to be expected, even if it had to be a surge in the latter sessions, especially in the third, which provided the visitors with the kick-start for a comfortable 15-7 victory.

Malta's encouraging opening was not sustained mainly because of an evident deficiency in the team's physical qualities in relation to that of the Dutch team.

In fact in the opening two sessions the Maltese responded tit-for-tat to their opponents' brisker and quick shifting of the ball, with Jerome Gabaretta scoring four times to maintain his record of having netted goals in every match.

Jordan Camilleri who, together with Alan Borg Cole in goal, is also a work in progress, giving his valid contribution and eventually striking three times besides doing sterling in the blocking phase.

But Holland took complete charge from the third session onwards as their edge in power could not be matched by the locals, who were also found wanting on eight of their 11 man-up sets.

As a consequence, it was a monologue in those last quarters, with Holland running out easy winners to qualify with Russia for the finals of the European Junior Championship in Lugano early in September.

Though ending up in bottom place, Malta had the platonic satisfaction of being very competitive in two of their group matches which they lost narrowly against Moldova and Israel.

Malta: A. Borg Cole, J. Spiteri Staines, T. Agius, J. Gabaretta 4, A. Attard, R. Mock, J. Camilleri 3, K. Grixti, N. Lubrano, P. Borg, M. Spiteri Staines, M. Pace, R. Sciortino.

Other result: Russia vs Moldova 25-3 (4-0, 8-0, 9-1, 4-2).

Standings: Russia 8; Holland 6; Israel 4; Moldova 2; Malta 0.