Malta beat hosts Andorra to close in on podium finish

The basketball national team somewhat made up for their disappointing performances in their first two matches of the GSSE 2005 tournament last night by beating hosts Andorra 56-42.

Santino Coppa's team were the gold medal winners two years ago but a relatively inexperienced squad this time round diminished their chances considerably.

Malta lost to Luxembourg and Iceland earlier this week but yesterday's result means that barring a shock defeat by gold medal favourites Luxembourg to bottom-placed Andorra, Malta will be awarded a bronze medal at the end of competition.

The La Vella sports pavilion was packed to its seams yesterday but the Maltese were undaunted by the occasion and after the opening 10 minutes they had already opened a 12-point lead - 17-5.

They maintained the upperhand and with Josephine Grima and Sandra Schembri Wismayer in top form Malta led 34-15 at half-time.

The Maltese had only to administer their advantage after the break and they did that in style to finish comfortable winners.

Grima was Malta's top scorer with 20 points followed by Schembri Wismayer on 12.

Malta Basketball Association secretary Frank Camilleri said: "We came here with a young team but the players showed great determination and maturity.

"For our association this medal has a particular meaning.

"It is the third medal won over the last two years after the Malta 2003 GSSE success and last year's bronze in the Promotion Cup."