MALTA 12-15 AUSTRALIA
(4-2, 3-7, 2-4, 3-2)
MALTA
N. Grixti, E. Schembri 1, J. Valletta, R. Caruana, J. Cachia 1, B. Cachia, S. Camilleri 3, I. Nagaev 3, J. Abela 2, F. Bugelli, D. Zammit, L. Dimech, Z. Dzanovic, S. Engerer 2.
AUSTRALIA
N. Porter, A. Lambie, M. Maksimovic 2, B. Constantin 4, A. Grgurevic, Z. Izzard, C. Negus, J. Mercep 3, M. Byrnes 2, M. Berehulak 3, T. Glanznig 1, L. Barker, L. Schuler, S. Todic.
Referees: S. Bourges (FRA), M. Gerasimov (GBR).
The Maltese, with only four established units but losing their talisman captain Stevie Zammit in the second session due to a nose injury, can easily fit into this frame as they went down 15-12 to the quoted Australian side yesterday evening.
Indeed, the locals matched the visitors for most of the proceedings, and it was only know-how, especially when the Australians netted five goals in the middle session, that made the difference.
Malta netted three out of eight extra-man sets that made the difference.
Once more, captain Stevie Camilleri and Ivan Nagaev were the pick of Milan Cirovic’s side, netting three goals each, more than that, displaying a commendable playmaking maturity.
Jeremy Abela, back in the national frame after missing the European Championships, was also a useful cog, as was goalkeeper Nicky Grixti with a handful of blocks in the early sessions.
Youngsters Sam Engerer and Elijah Schembri gave a good account of themselves.
Malta held their own until late in the game, and after Bican Constantin netted a brace to give an early lead, the local side, through Camilleri and Abela, tilted the balance in their favour.
Ivan Nagaev, marked by Milos Maksimovic, worked well in the flat position 4.
However, the class and scoring opportunism of Marcus Berehulak, who hit Camilleri accidentally in the nose, and Jacob Mercep made all the difference.