Women's team off to a fine start but Galea's men beaten by Iceland

Malta 59
Iceland 47
(12-19, 16-16, 18-4, 13-8)

The medal chances of our women's national team received a significant boost yesterday when Santino Coppa's girls defied all odds when beating the more-quoted Icelandic team 59-47 at the University Sports Hall.

Iceland claimed the gold medal when the last GSSE tournament for women was held in Reykjavik in 1997. Along with Luxembourg, the northern Europeans were always in contention for the top prize when similar competitions for small European nations were held.

However, the first indications suggest that the roles have been inversed for the Malta 2003 Games as yesterday, Luxembourg were on the receiving end of a suprising defeat against Cyprus, 70-63. Each team has to play two other matches in this round-robin tournament.

Iceland enjoyed the better start yesterday and maintained the initiative until the half-time break thanks mainly to a series of flawless three-pointers. However, the locals were a transformed side after the break, as the opponents' resistance started to wilt under the pressure.

Malta, bronze medal winners in 1997, were leading 46-39 before the last quarter. The Icelanders showed signs of a comeback when the game resumed but Naxxar playmaker Irene Farrugia potted a crucial basket midway through which settled the Maltese team's nerves and paved the way for victory.

Malta's next match is tomorrow against Luxembourg while Iceland face Cyprus at Tal-Qroqq. The tournament comes to a close on Friday.

Malta: R. Tryon, D. Galea (14), S. Schembri Wismayer (7), L. Bezzina (5), A. Jetcheva (7), M. Zammit, D. Parnis (4), D. Aquilina, M. Vella (4), I. Farrugia (12), J. Grima (6), C. Fenech.

Malta 45
Iceland 79
(19-12, 4-24, 10-25, 12-18)

The men's national team failed to emulate their counterparts from the women's clan last night as they were beaten by Iceland 79-45 after a rather promising start.

Malta finished the opening session 19-12 in front but then the Icelanders introduced their best players and went on to win the next three sessions at a canter, never allowing the Maltese any chances of recovery.

Today, Joe Galea's men cannot afford to lose their match against San Marino to stay in contention for a place in the semi-finals. San Marino, yesterday, beat Andorra 78-74.

Malta: M. Naudi (4), D. Falzon, M. Micallef (9), E. Bezzina (6), S. Schembri, N. Farrugia (2), O. Said (2), A. Micallef, A. Bonnici (2), J. Gatt (6), J. Jetson (2), S. Cassar (12).

Other results: Group A - Cyprus 96 Monaco 54. Group B - San Marino 78 Andorra 74.