A tough task awaits Alan Grima's national team next week when the Malta Handball Association (MHA) host the third EHF Challenge Trophy.

The previous two winners of the tournament, reserved for European handball developing nations, were home teams Cyprus, in 1999, and Latvia, in 2001. Malta took part in both editions, placing next from bottom on the two occasions - sixth in Cyprus and seventh two years later.

With Moldova and Azerbaijan already touted as favourites, the best the national team will hope for is a creditable placing possibly ahead of Great Britain, Ireland and Liechtenstein even though surprises should not be ruled out at the highly-charged University Sports Complex, scene of ecstatic celebrations when the women's basketball team won GSSE gold against all odds in June.

The official launching of the Challenge Trophy, between December 17 and 21, was made yesterday at Tal-Qroqq.

MHA president Louis Borg is also the chairman of the organising committee. He said his organisation, like the national team, is facing a serious challenge but from various aspects off the court of play.

Despite being a small country, Malta was still good enough to organise this international competition, the first for handball on our shores, with the full backing of the European Handball Federation.

Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein will be making their EHF Challenge Trophy debut here but Great Britain, Ireland and Moldova are no newcomers to the tournament.

Moldova were second in 1999 and third two years ago. Great Britain were bronze medallists in the inaugural edition while Ireland finished fifth and eighth in the two previous occasions.

Wednesday's opening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. It will be preceded by two matches - Azerbaijan vs Liechtenstein (3 p.m.) and Great Britain vs Moldova (5 p.m.). Malta plays their first match at 9 p.m. vs Ireland.

The teams will play a round robin with a double fixture each on December 18. Sunday, December 21 will be reserved for decisive play-offs. Entrance is free.

International referees from Austria, France, Hungary and Spain will officiate the matches. They will hold a course during their stay on the islands with local officials invited to take part.

Grima's national squad:

R. Ragonesi, M. Bonello, K. Chetcuti, M. Stanisavljevic (Aloysians); A. Said, I. Psaila, R. Kerr-Cumbo, A. Mifsud (La Salle); D. Zammit, O. Bonnici, J. Siggesson (Salesians), C. Galea, C. Sammut, J. Xuereb (Kavallieri); J. Friggieri (ESMGO); A. Inivernizzi (CUS Genova), J. Tanti (VRI Risskov).