The Malta U-17 selections, male and female, are braced to compete in the EU Nations Cup tournament this month.

Aquatic Sports Association president Joe Caruana Curran gave details of an extensive programme of events during a news conference at the National Pool.

“This period includes waterpolo tournaments and swim meets aimed at further developing the two acquatic disciplines in Malta where progress has been registered after unwavering hard work by all concerned,” Caruana Curran said.

“The association is giving due importance to our international commitments in waterpolo and swimming in the wake of the massive preparation our athletes have gone through during the past months.”

The ASA supremo said that by this time next year we would know whether we have qualified for the European senior teams’ finals, a target reached last year with Karl Izzo’s men finishing in 15th place, ahead of Turkey.

Izzo, the Malta U-17 coach and Anthony Farrugia, in charge of the female Under 17 selection, gave details about their respective sides competing in the EU Nations Juniors Waterpolo Cup in Brno.

The men’s tournament will  be played between Friday and Sunday while the women’s competition is penciled for April 21 and 23.

Izzo said that out of the 12 teams divided into four groups, Malta’s crucial match could well be against the strong South Africans.

The competition will be a useful dress rehearsal for the selection as they step up their preparations for the Euro Junior Championships to be held in Malta between September 10 and September 17.

Farrugia pinned his hopes on the girls at least emulating their performances in their previous international tournament last year when they won three out of five matches.

As regards swimming, Caruana Curran said that the now established Easter Swim Meet, which will be held between April 20 and 22, has reached its 25th edition.

“This landmark meet will present another opportunity for our swimmers to build up for the main event of the season, the 2017 Games of the Small States of Europe,” the ASA chief said.

On his part swimming board secretary David Bonello said that there will be 271 local participants spread over seven teams, including the ASA squad.

The foreign contingent will be formed by 175 swimmers representing 13 overseas clubs in what should be a massive meet and a useful test for our top swimmers before national coach Artem Goncharenko selects his squad of about 12 swimmers for the San Marino GSSE which will be held between May 29 and June 3.

Men U-17
T. Micallef (San Giljan), M. Tabone (Neptunes), K. Erdogan (Neptunes), J. Sciberras (Sirens), B. Cachia (Sliema), T. Said (San Giljan), B. Grech (San Giljan), L. Galea (Sliema), G. Sammut (Sliema), M. Ortoleva (San Giljan), J. Culic (Neptunes), J. Muscat (Neptunes), O. Gauci (Sirens).

Women’s U-17
A. Bonello (Exiles), K. Tockarshewsky (Sliema), K. Camilleri (Sliema), K. Navarro (Exiles), K. Agius (Sirens), L. Galea (San Giljan), L. Fenech (Sliema), N. Scicluna (Marsaxlokk), E. Seychell (Marsaxlokk), K. Agius (Neptune), M. Zammit (Exiles), K. Cassar (Birzebbuga), K. Plumpton (San Giljan).

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