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 LupiA 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 LupiA 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 CordinaA 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 LupiA 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 CordinaA 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 CordinaA 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 CordinaA 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 CordinaHunters 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 LupiSchoolchildren 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 LupiArchbishop 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 FournierA 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 FournierHorse 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 FournierHorses 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 FournierKarozzini 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 FournierKarozzini 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 CordinaSunlight 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 LupiVehicles 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 CordinaSt 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 CordinaKeith 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 CordinaSt 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 CordinaBoris 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 CordinaBoris 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 CordinaNeptunes’ 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 CordinaSt 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

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