2001 bronze medal should act as a spur for our teams

Volleyball will, once again, be part of the Games of the Small States of Europe. The discipline was first introduced in the programme way back in 1989 in Cyprus.

On that occasion, Malta participated in the men's competition, losing the three qualifying group matches but notching an important win against Andorra 3-2 to place seventh.

The ladies' team experienced their baptism of fire in the 1993 edition in Malta. However, the girls found the going tough bowing out of the competition without winning a single set.

Volleyball may have ranked as one of the disciplines in which Maltese athletes struggled but a new page was written when the ladies team clinched a bronze medal in San Marino two years ago. Malta won two important matches against Liechtenstein and Iceland to place third in the final standings.

It was indeed a golden chapter in the history of local volleyball and heralded the presence of the Maltese flag on the podium.

In Malta next June, both our teams will be striving to challenge for a medal.

A number of new faces have been introduced and the new-look national side was in action in the European Group C Championship, held in Andorra last year.

Maltese-Canadian Peter Testa is expected in Malta next month to join the national team whereas Nikolai Georgiev will surely give the side a more competitive edge.

Coached by Bernardo Randelli, the boys have been undergoing a vigorous training programme in view of their upcoming assignments in June. The national side competed in a tournament in Sicily and registered encouraging results against sides from Comiso and Modica.

The build-up to the Malta Games 2003 also included a trip to Milan and three games against B2 league sides.

The men's team has yet to win a GSSE medal and the boys know that they will be facing a daunting task in their bid to break the ice and clinch an historic medal in Malta.

San Marino will be out to defend the title they won on home court two years ago but they will be keeping a close eye on Iceland and Cyprus. The Icelanders may have ranked last two years ago but since then, they have made giant strides and should feature two Bulgarians who have now become an integral part of the national side.

Monaco and Liechtenstein will not be participating in this event.

The men's tournament will be played at the Corradino Sports Complex with a seating capacity of 1,600 spectators.

Men's Schedule

Tuesday, June 3 (5.30 p.m.) - Malta vs Andorra.
Wednesday, June 4 (8 p.m.) - Malta vs San Marino.
Thursday, June 5 (5.30 p.m.) - Malta vs Luxembourg.
Friday, June 6 (8 p.m.) - Malta-Iceland.
Saturday, June 7 (11.30 a.m.) - Malta vs Cyprus.

Few changes

The ladies' team will be hoping to win another medal in front of a passionate home crowd which is expected to pack the stands at Cottonera.

The team has practically remained unchanged since the San Marino edition. The girls have been under the watchful eye of Italian coach Fabrizio Zaino and assistant Elizabeth Mariani.

Daniela Lontos will be one of the few newcomers to the fold. The team has competed in the same tournaments as the men's side although the European Pool C Championship was held in Luxembourg.

Local volleyball seems to be on the right track as the national federation boasts of a fully-fledged youth sector which is a key factor in ensuring a healthy supply of players knocking on the door of the national team.

In mid-May, the team is expected to participate in an international tournament at the Cottonera Sports Complex which should serve as a dress rehearsal for the competition proper during the Games.

In San Marino, the Maltese girls choked up two precious wins to finish a creditable third. Six nations will be taking part here as Luxembourg will be competing again after missing out on the tournament two years ago.

A keen competition for gold is expected between San Marino and Cyprus, the firm favourites.

Referees Antonello Calleja and Frankie Tanti will be officiating some of the games together with officials from the other participating nations, as well as four other officials from CONI.

The international delegate who will monitor the two competitions is Spaniard Miguel Quintana.

Women's Schedule

Tuesday, June 3 - (9 p.m.) - Malta vs Iceland.
Wednesday, June 4 - (6.30 p.m.) - Malta vs Liechtenstein.
Thursday, June 5 - (9 p.m.) - Malta vs Luxembourg.
Friday, June 6 (9 p.m.) - Malta vs San Marino.
Saturday, June 7 (3 p.m.) - Malta vs Cyprus.