Bold Malta just misses out on promotion

The Malta Federation Cup team will have to play in the Euro/African zone Group III again next season after missing out on promotion yesterday when they were beaten by Norway 2-1 in a balanced play-off at the Marsa Sports Club.

Lisa Camenzuli and Rosanne Dimech gave their all in the singles and the decisive doubles. But, in the end, the stronger Norwegians relied on all their experience to outwit the plucky Malta pair.

Camenzuli, our most representative player in the squad, maintained her unbeaten record in the singles matches when she recovered break in the third set to beat Karoline Borgesen 6-4 6-7 6-4. It was the only set Camenzuli had lost in four singles matches this week.

Dimech was next on court for Malta when she faced Ina Sartz. The Norwegian no.1 player took the first set 6-3 but Dimech hit back strongly, winning the second 6-4. However, the Nordic player, ranked no.759 in the world, stepped up a gear in the decisive set to win it 6-2 and level the tie at 1-1.

The Doubles was set to decide who will win promotion along with Tunisia. By this time the latter were on their way to a 2-1 win over fellow north Africans Algeria in the other play-off.

Camenzuli and Dimech faced Borgesen and Sartz. The local pair managed to break their opponents and go 5-3 up. However, they failed to preserve that lead and the Norway tandem soon went on to win the set 7-5.

To make it even more difficult for Malta, Dimech suffered an ankle injury but was bold enough to beat the pain barrier and carry on playing.

However, at this stage there was very little the locals could do as Borgesen and Sartz went on to win the set 6-4 and the match 2-1.

"We failed to win promotion but we should be happy with our overall performance, especially Lisa. She was outstanding," coach Dusan Janicijevic said.

"Norway had a strong team here but we played on a par with them. Had we taken our chances, I guess we would have won promotion today.

"We cannot look back now. It's clear our players need to play more at this level to make progress. The federation has done well so far but the players need more support and overseas competition."

Meanwhile, the Group II play-offs will be played this afternoon at Marsa. Great Britain face Ireland and Luxembourg take on Romania.