The Malta women’s team missed out on a place in the qualifying group stage of the 2017 Women’s European Championship after losing 4-2 to Faroe Islands at the Tedesco Stadium.

Georgia’s 7-0 success over Andorra meant that they, Malta and Faroe Islands finished top of the group on six points but it was the Georgian girls who qualified for the main draw for the first time as they had a better goal difference in head-to-head encounters.

Malta, who had been the favourites to reach the next round after winning their opening two games, were off to a disappointing start after conceding two early goals, scored by Andreasen and Simonsen, but they hit back to level matters by the 49th minute.

Ylenia Carabott narrowed the deficit six minutes from half-time and Martina Borg equalised four minutes into the second half.

A draw would have been enough for Malta to go through but their hopes were shattered by Sevdal who scored a brace to hand Faroe Islands a 4-2 win that ultimately proved futile as they were pipped to top spot by Georgia.