Men's Under 18 Promotion Cup starts today at Ta' Qali

The Malta Basketball Association (MBA) is hosting the fifth European U-18 Promotion Cup (Men) between today and Saturday.

This FIBA Europe competition is being contested by eight nations - Gibraltar, Andorra, Wales and Malta (Group A) and Luxembourg, Monaco, Scotland and San Marino (Group B).

The players in Malta's U-18 squad have been training hard for the past weeks under the guidance of coach Bruno Di Pietrantonio and Sandro Farrugia.

Four matches will be played daily at the Ta' Qali pavilion with Thursday earmarked as rest day.

Gibraltar tackle Andorra in the tournament's opening game today at 2 p.m. After the opening ceremony, due to take place after the third game today, Malta will play their first game against Wales at 9 p.m.

Malta's other group matches will be played tomorrow and on Wednesday against Gibraltar and Andorra respectively.

The four semi-finals are scheduled for Friday with the play-off finals being played the following day.

Antonio Mizzi, president of the MBA, voiced his satisfaction that Malta has again been chosen to organise an international event.

"The Promotion Cup has become a regular appointment for the MBA on the back of the successful organisation of previous competitions here in Malta," Magistrate Mizzi said in a statement.

"It is a clear sign that the FIBA Europe board acknowledges that Malta is able to organise important competitions despite being a small country."

Speaking on the Maltese team, the MBA president said he is convinced that all the work carried out by coaches Di Pietrantonio and Farrugia will reap dividends during the games. He encouraged the public to come and support the Maltese team.

Today's programme - 2 p.m. Gibraltar vs Andorra; 4.15 p.m. Luxembourg vs Monaco; 6. 30 p.m. Scotland vs San Marino, followed by opening ceremony; 9 p.m. Malta vs Wales.