Goal difference foils national team

The men's national team recently took part in the fourth EHF Challenge Trophy that was played in Ireland. Having finished fourth in the previous tournament in 2003, an event held at the University Sports Hall, the Malta Handball Association set third place in Dublin as the team's main goal.

Guided by coach Alan Grima, the team started off on a positive note, winning the first game against hosts Ireland 27-17. The ten-goal winning margin imbued confidence into the team but this was not enough to cope with a stronger Moldova side on Day Two of the tournament (14-41).

The much-awaited test was still to come. The clashes on Day Three and Five against Scotland and England respectively were crucial.

However, a disappointing Malta side succumbed to the Scots who won thanks to a four-goal burst at the end of the game (12-16), thus diminishing the chances for Grima's team to claim third or fourth place in the Preliminary Round.

With England defying the odds by defeating Scotland by three goals, Malta needed to beat the English in their final match by at least a four-goal margin.

Meanwhile, Malta lost to Azerbaijan in a match that seemed a carbon copy of the Moldova encounter (14-37).

Malta versus England took place on the last day of the Preliminary Round. The game was balanced all the way. With a handful of seconds to go, Jacques Friggieri scored for Malta after a fast break for a close 23-22 win.

This meant that Scotland, England and Malta finished with equal points. However, an inferior goal difference denied Malta the chance to compete for the bronze and instead had to be content with a play-off for fifth place.

On the final day, Malta played Ireland who showed remarkable improvement throughout the tournament, losing by just three goals on the last day of the Preliminary Round to third-placed Scotland.

Malta showed character in the play-off, hitting back admirably to cancel out a six-goal deficit before going on to win the game by three goals (23-20).

Once again, third place in the overall classification has eluded the Maltese who had prepared so well for the tournament. The side had a number of young newcomers but they all played collectively and with enthusiasm. This augurs well for the MHA and the future of the game here.