Sports over and in the water - the "gostra" and waterpolo - Times of Malta presents a selection of its photographers' choice of their best photos over the past days.
A man falls acrobatically as he slips on the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's on August 30. In the traditional "gostra", young men, women and children have to make their way to the top of a pole and try to uproot one of the flags to win prizes. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
A man falls acrobatically as he slips on the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's on August 30. In the traditional "gostra", young men, women and children have to make their way to the top of a pole and try to uproot one of the flags to win prizes. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
A competitor backflips from the greasy pole after not managing to grab the flag at the annual gostra festival held in St Julian’s on 30 August. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
A child slips off the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the celebrations for the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's on August 30. In the traditional "gostra", a game believed to stretch back to the Middle Ages, young men, women and children have to make their way to the top of a pole and try to uproot one of the flags to win prizes. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
A young girl attempts to run up the greasy pole (gostra) in St Julian’s on 30 August. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
A boy jumps to grab a flag during the annual gostra festival held in St Julian’s on 30 August. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
A boy jumps to grab a flag during the annual gostra festival held in St Julian’s on 30 August. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
Hunters fire their guns as a salute to St Julian ,the patron saint of hunters, during the St Julian’s feast on 30 August. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
Schoolchildren read out prayers during a tree planting ceremony to mark the occasion of the first World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation at the Ta’ Qali National Park on September 1. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Environment Minister Leo Brincat, together with schoolchildren, plant a tree to mark the occasion of the first World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation at the Ta’ Qali National Park on September 1. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
A horse has a drink of water near the cruise liner terminal at the Grand Harbour on September 2. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Horse drawn cabs, better known as ‘karozzini’, are seen at the Grand Harbour in Valletta on September 2. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Horses at the Grand Harbour wait for their next trip on September 02. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Karozzini wait for tourists from the cruise ships in Grand Harbour on September 2. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Karozzini wait for tourists from the cruise ships in Grand Harbour on September 2. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Sunlight streams through the skylight at the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry in Valletta on 31 August. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
Vehicles cross the Regional Road bridge in St Julian’s at sunset on August 30. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
St Julian’s players Aurelien Cousin and Paul Fava stop Jordan Camilleri of Neptunes during the final match of the waterpolo league at Tal-Qroqq National Pool on August 29. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
Keith Galea of St Julian’s is blocked by two Neptunes players during the final match of the waterpolo league at Tal-Qroqq National Pool on August 29. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
St Julian’s supporters cheer on their team during a time out in the final match of the waterpolo league at Tal-Qroqq National Pool on August 29. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
Boris Vapenski of St Julians is blocked by Steven Camilleri of Neptunes during the final match of the waterpolo league at Tal-Qroqq National Pool on August 29. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
Boris Vapenski of St Julian’s attempts a shot on goal during the final match of the waterpolo league between St Julian’s and Neptunes at Tal-Qroqq National Pool on August 29. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
Neptunes’ Nicky Lanzon (right) and Boris Vapenski of St Julian’s go head-to-head in attempt to get the ball during the final match of the waterpolo league at Tal-Qroqq National Pool on August 29. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina
St Julian’s team captain Matthew Zammit Lift the league trophy after the final match of the waterpolo league between St Julian’s and Neptunes at Tal-Qroqq National Pool on August 29. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina