Maltese team end campaign in France

Malta U-21 will end their commitments in the qualifying phase of the 2011 European Championship today when they take on France in Amiens.

Edwin Camilleri’s team are bracing themselves for a tough finale as they face a side who need to win this match at all costs to assure themselves of a top-two place in Group Eight and secure a berth in the next round as one of four best runners-up in this qualifying phase.

Last week, France were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by group winners Ukraine in Kiev, a result that left them in third place in the group, three points adrift of joint-leaders Ukraine and Belgium.

Ukraine are already sure of their place in the next round as group winners. The finals will be played in Denmark next year.

For Malta U-21, this match will be their last chance to break their duck in the qualifying campaign. They lost all seven matches played and are still waiting to score their first goal.

In the corresponding fixture played in Malta, the French returned home with a 2-0 win in their bags, their goals coming from Anthony Modeste (58) and Karim Ait-Fana (78).

Current standings: Ukraine (4-3-0) 15; Belgium (4-3-1) 15; France (3-3-1) 12; Slovenia (2-1-4) 7; Malta (0-0-7) 0.

Today: 5 p.m. France vs Malta; Ukraine vs Slovenia.