Competitions at the Games of the Small States of Europe get under way on Tuesday with Team Malta gunning for medals as they look to reach their goal of securing their best-ever performance in a GSSE. Stay with us to follow all the action and results on our blog…
15.55 On their part, the men’s team, formed by Ian Felice Pace, Matthew Scerri, Nathan Xuereb and Nelson Kahler lost to Andorra 19-18 and then went down to Cyprus 21-11.
15.50 The Malta basketball 3×3 teams experienced mixed fortunes in their respective competitions as the women’s team won both their matches so far to all but seal their place into the semi-finals.
In fact, the team formed by Kristy Galea, Steffi De Martino, Amber Melgoza and Danika Galea broke little sweat to see off Cyprus 21-11 but then had to fend off a late fightback from Andorra to seal a 15-11 win.
15.40 Koska is through to the semi-finals of the Kumite +84kg category after avoiding defeat in his final group match against Nemanja Jovovic, of Montenegro. The Maltese athlete is assured of at least a bronze medal.
Halil Ibrahim Koska (right) celebrates during his win against Monaco’s Thimoty Cesa. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
15.25 In the tennis events, Elaine Genovese moved to the quarter finals of the ladies singles after easily beating Anna Sofia Gronholm of Iceland 6-1, 6-3.
Genovese obtained a break in the first game and then again in the third game after a couple of double faults from Gronholm. Genovese continued to outplay her opponent, hitting hard from the base line forcing Gronholm to commit many mistakes.
Genovese sealed the set 6-1 with yet another break in the seventh game.
In the second set the match was more balanced with Gronholm keeping her service and forcing Genovese to some forced errors.
The game took the decisive twist in the sixth game of the second set when Genovese managed to break to a 4-2 lead.
Both held to their service in the remaining games with Elaine Genovese winning the second set 6-3 to move to the quarter finals were she will meet Tea Nikcevic who defeated Luxembourg’s Eleonora Molinaro 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
15.20 There has been more positive news coming out of Karate in the last few minutes as Malta’s Halil Ibrahim Koska won his opening bout of the +84kg category against Monaco’s Thimoty Cesa 8-0.
15.10 Jessica Vella won Team Malta’s first gold medal at the Games of the Small States of Europe after winning the Kata event in karate.
The young athlete remained unbeaten throughout the whole competition, as after topping Group B, she went on to secure victory in the semi-final and final to hand Team Malta its first success in the Games.
Vella’s gold is a major boost for the Maltese contingent, who are bidding to win at least nine gold medals and record their best-ever result in a foreign GSSE.
Read the full report here: https://sport.timesofmalta.com/2025/05/27/karates-jessica-vella-wins-team-maltas-first-gold-medal-at-2025-gsse/
15.00 Welcome to the Times of Malta blog covering the Games of the Small States of Europe. It has been quite a positive morning for Malta with Jessica Vella handing the team its first gold medal of the Games when topping the Kata competition.
Note: This coverage is being brought to you by National Lottery.