Women's team fails in bronze medal bid

Iceland won the men's teams tournament yesterday after beating Cyprus 3-1 in the final.

In the semi-finals earlier in the day, Iceland had ousted San Marino while Cyprus had the better of Luxembourg. The latter won the play-off for third place to clinch a bronze medal.

Malta had failed to make it from the group stages after a rather poor showing at the Gozo Sports Complex.

Christine Cassar Torreggiani and Johanna Grech had a chance to win a bronze medal in the other tournament for teams.

In the morning match the two Maltese players teamed up well to beat Iceland 3-1.

However, they then lost a decisive match to eventual bronze medalists Cyprus.

Gold went to San Marino with Luxembourg finishing second in the round robin league.

Meanwhile, the opening qualifiers from the men's singles were also played yesterday in Victoria.

Simon Gerada had a tremendous start as he trounced his San Marino and Icelandic opponents 3-0.

In the other group, however, Edward Baldacchino was twice beaten 3-0 by Iceland's Stephenson and Tavalov, of Cyprus.

The group stages continue today along with the opening matches from the women's singles tournament.