Coppa's girls to contest gold medal today
Malta 59Luxembourg 50(20-11, 12-12, 14-12, 13-15)\nThe women's national team, under the guidance of Santino Coppa, yesterday upset the odds once again after a spirited victory against another tournament favourite Luxembourg, 59-50, at a packed...
Malta 59
Luxembourg 50
(20-11, 12-12, 14-12, 13-15)
\nThe women's national team, under the guidance of Santino Coppa, yesterday upset the odds once again after a spirited victory against another tournament favourite Luxembourg, 59-50, at a packed University Sports Hall.
On Tuesday, Malta showed they really mean business in this GSSE edition on our islands after beating strong contenders Iceland 59-47 in their opening match.
Luxembourg and Iceland were considered the top two teams at this level but as things evolved at Tal-Qroqq this week, one of them will return home empty-handed. Their only consolation is a place in the play-off for third place. Cyprus will contest the gold medal with Malta after beating Iceland 66-49.
The organisers have recognised the importance of the Malta-Cyprus match today and shifted the clash to 8.30 p.m. instead of 11 a.m. as advertised in the official programme.
Malta took the initiative right from the start yesterday and gradually distanced themselves from Luxembourg. The latter, however, played better in the second session, closing the gap to 25-21 but Malta applied some pressure before the break to open a 32-23 lead before half-time.
Irene Farrugia and the experienced Jetcheva were the driving force behind the Malta team after the break as the hosts took a 45-30 lead.
But suddenly, Malta started to wilt under the opponents' pressure. Luxembourg were working their way back into contention and five minutes from time Coppa's girls were only leading by two points - 46-44.
The crowd was on its feet and tension was high but Marion Vella kept her cool to pot a decisive basket which was followed by Jetcheva's points from the free-throw line as Malta cruised home to a merited success and a standing ovation.
Malta: R. Tryon, D. Galea (7), S. Schembri Wismayer (8), L. Bezzina, A. Jetcheva (7), M. Zammit, D. Parnis (10), D. Aquilina, M. Vella (4), I. Farrugia (13), J. Grima (7), C. Fenech (3).
Other result: Iceland vs Cyprus 49-66.
Emotions high
"To climb as high as the second rung on the winners' rostrum is a dream come true for us," a tearful Dorianne Galea, the skipper, said after the match.
"I cannot describe my emotions and those of the team. We've been working for this result for many months now... it's unbelievable, incredible. This huge crowd at the University was a great boost for us. Their support spurred us on continuously."
Italian coach Santino Coppa was equally overjoyed for his players.
"I'm really proud of what this group of players has achieved so far, they have really exceeded themselves in the past two days," he said.
"Maybe we lag behind our opponents from a technical point-of-view but we made up for certain deficiencies with our passionate play.
"Nobody gave us a chance against Iceland or Luxembourg before but now this team is already sure of a silver medal. Cyprus are next and we have the chance to turn that medal into gold. We will give it our best shot but if we fail to win we have still managed to get a fantastic result."
Men's team doomed
Malta 67
San Marino 74
(13-22, 14-11, 15-21, 25-20)
Contrary to the women, the men's team had a really disappointing experience in the GSSE this week.
Yesterday, their woes were compounded by a third successive upset in the group qualifiers, this time going down to San Marino. The national team is now out of the running and did not even qualify for the play-off for fifth place. We finished last in the final reckoning, a seventh placing which certainly falls below our expectations.
Malta, again backed by a vociferous crowd, staged a good comeback before the break to go in for the interval only six points behind. However, there was little spirit left in the players after the changeover as the team slumped to another upset.
Malta: M. Naudi (6), D. Falzon, M. Micallef, E. Bezzina, S. Schembri (4), N. Farrugia (5), O. Said (26), A. Micallef (12), A. Bonnici (13), J. Gatt (1), J. Jetson, S. Cassar.
Other results: Cyprus 90 Luxembourg 60; Iceland 108 Andorra 72.
Group A: Cyprus 4; Luxembourg 2; Monaco 0.
Group B: Iceland 6; San Marino 4; Andorra 2; Malta 0.
Semi-finals: Cyprus vs San Marino; Iceland vs Luxembourg.
Play-off for fifth place: Andorra vs Monaco.