Christina Grima (left) attempting a shot in the semi-final match against Moldova, in Gibraltar, on Saturday.Christina Grima (left) attempting a shot in the semi-final match against Moldova, in Gibraltar, on Saturday.

Steffi DeMartino potted 16 points and Christina Grima 15 as the Maltese women’s team won the FIBA tournament for European small nations for a third time after beating Ireland 67-59 in the final, yesterday.

At half-time, Malta were trailing by ten points at the Tercentenary Sports Hall, in Gibraltar, as Ireland looked the more composed team, winning the first two sessions (27-19 and 12-10) for a 39-29 lead.

However, coach Angela Adamoli’s half-time pep talk must have instilled some much needed confidence in her players. In fact, Malta hit back strongly, to win the next quarter 22-11 and take a narrow one-point lead – 51-50 – before the last session got underway.

Ireland, who trounced Andorra 86-45 in the semi-finals, tried all ways to pierce the Maltese defence but to no avail as Adamoli’s players again outscored their opponents 16-9 for another outstanding triumph at this level of the continental game.

Ashleigh Vella played a key role in the victory, contributing with 14 points and 10 rebounds, as Josephine Grima also potted 14 points.

Malta won all their matches in the tournament and booked their place in the final after eliminating Moldova with a mammoth 90-30 win on Saturday.

The Moldova girls made up for the upset by beating Andorra 66-50 in the play-off for third place.

Home side Gibraltar claimed the fifth position overall following a 61-47 win over Wales.

Men’s team lose play-off

In the men’s FIBA championship, the Maltese selection lost the match-up for fifth place as they went down to hosts Moldova 73-63 at the Ciorescu Sports Complex, yesterday.

The match was evenly poised at half-time with Moldova enjoying a two-point lead – 38-36.

Malta, coached by Italian Andrea Paccarie, produced their best play in the third quarter which they won 19-8. However, they failed to extend their momentum to the last portion and only managed eight points to Moldova’s 27.

The tournament was won by Armenia. They beat Andorra 79-71 in the final as San Marino took the bronze medal at the expense of Ireland (60-53).

Wales avoided the wooden spoon after beating Gibraltar 67-40 to settle for seventh place, one behind Malta in the overall classification.

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