Dominant France beat Malta 17-7 in Malta’s first match in the European Waterpolo championships which opened in Belgrade this afternoon.

As expected, France dictated proceedings but Seven Camilleri distinguished himself for Malta, scoring five of Malta's goals in what was not a disappointing performance for Malta. Veteran Aurelien Cousin put up a great defensive performance. Jordan Camilleri and Matthew Camilleri were the other scorers for Malta yesterday.

It was a brave performance from Karl Izzo’s men as they gave everything they had to try and return home with a respectable result.

France built their victory in the middle sessions as the Maltese struggled to keep abreast with the superior opponents. 

Malta will now play their second match in the championships on Tuesday when they face hosts Serbia at the Kombank Arena.

France opened the score after two-and-a-half minutes through Alexander Camrasa.

Enzo Khasz was sent off briefly two minutes from the end of the first session but Malta failed to capitalise its numerical advantage, with a shot saved at the goal mouth.

France then won a penalty which Izdinsky successfully converted.

Matthew Zammit hit the horizontal bar 45 seconds from time – the closest Malta came to scoring in this session – and Crosillat made it three for France with some nimble work a few seconds later.

Malta won a penalty early in the second session and Steven Camilleri opened the score for Malta with a bounce shot into the corner.

But Ugo Crousillat made it 4-1 for France while his team was man-up a few seconds later and Souabier made it 5-1 with a quick counter-attack.

Malta’s busy goalkeeper Nicholas Griscti was unlucky to save a long-shot effort which made the score 6-1.

7-1 came about by Roman Blary after confused action in front of goal.

Steven Camilleri scored again for Malta and made it 7-2 with quick action when Malta was man-up after a foul he had himself suffered.

Seven Camilleri scored his third for Malta from another man-up situation taken after a time-out.

Ugo Crousillat scored the eighth for France followed closely by the ninth by Mehdi Marzouki.

Michal Izdinsky scored the 10th for France after hitting the bar.

Malta was awarded a penalty in the dying seconds of the second session. Steven Camilleri lined up and made it 10-4.

Steven Camilleri scored a spectacular goal early in the third session – his fifth – before being rested.

Meli was sent off for 20 seconds and France capitalised to make it 11-5 through Remi Saudadier. Thibaut Simon made in 12-5.

Ugo Crousillat scored France’s 13th and then lobbed over the Maltese goalkeeper for the 14th. Laversanne widened the score to 15-5 with a bounce ball directly in front of the Maltese goalkeeper.

As the last session got underway, Jordan Camilleri made it 15-6 after scoring from close range with a push shot after an earlier effort by Plumpton  bounced off the woodwork.

Thibaut Simon made it 16-6 and Matthew Camilleri rose to score a spectacular goal to 16-7 with just under four minutes to go.

Kovacevic restored France’s 10-goal advantage, with the match ending 17-7. 

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi attended the match in Belgrade.

Malta now faces a potentially tougher match against hosts Serbia on Tuesday.  

Serbia are the current European and world champions.The last group game will be against Croatia next Thursday.

The Maltese team will then be involved in a series of play-offs to determine the final classification.