Coach Karl Izzo is wary of the mammoth task awaiting his players when Malta take on world and European champions Serbia in a Group B qualifier, in Belgrade, this evening.

Izzo lauded his squad for their commitment and whole-hearted effort in the opening match against France on Sunday which Les Bleus won 17-7.

Steve Camilleri scored five goals and team-mates Matthew Zammit and Aurelien Cousin also came in for special praise from Izzo who is leading the national team in their first ever appearance at this stage of the prestigious continental tournament.

Malta are expected to figure in a series of classification ties at the end of the group phase, which comes to a close on Thursday with the fixture against Croatia.

However, tonight’s match will be a huge test for the players’ nerves as Izzo will be urging for possession tactics and a cool head to keep the scoreline down against illustrious opponents who will do their best to satisfy their vociferous fans.

On Sunday, Serbia beat Croatia 13-6 in the final game of the competition’s opening day with a record crowd of 11,000 in attendance at the Kombank Arena.

“Waterpolo was lifted to a new level as 11,000 fans filled the Kombank Arena and this was the highest ever attendance in the history of the Europeans,” the continent’s aquatics federation (LEN) said in a statement.

A brass band entertained the crowd for 30 minutes before the opening ceremony, with the home fans unveiling a huge Serbian flag as the bitter Balkan rivals took centre stage.

Roared on by their fans, Serbia brushed aside Olympic champions Croatia as Dusan Mandic and Andrija Prlainovic scored three goals each for the hosts.

Results
Group C – Georgia vs Romania 6-12; Germany vs Italy 5-16.
Group D – Russia vs Turkey 17-8; Hungary vs Greece 8-8.

Playing today
9.30am Slovakia vs Netherlands; 5.15pm France vs Croatia; 6.45pm Montenegro vs Spain; 20.15 Serbia vs Malta.