Malta 2
Spain 26
(1-7, 0-7, 1-5, 0-7)

Waterpolo giants Spain, silver medallists in the 2009 world championships, handed modest Malta a heavy 26-2 defeat in the opening match from the Euro Group A qualifiers in Istanbul, yesterday.

The goals for Malta were scored by John Soler. The Sliema forward could have made it a hat-trick but missed a penalty in the third session.

The Spaniards, with professional players in Rafa Aguilar's squad, made sure of the points in the opening two sessions where they scored 14 goals to Malta's one.

Felipe Perrone, who plays for Savona in Italy, scored six goals and Athletic Barceloneta's Xavi Valles was on the mark four times as Spain started their bid to qualify for the next stage of the championships in convincing fashion.

The Maltese team is in transition following the retirement of some experienced players including the likes of Jonathan Valletta and Josie Cachia. There are also some key players missing from the Malta squad in Turkey due to other commitments.

Malta will be playing against Turkey this evening and Slovakia tomorrow morning.

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