Malta beat Poland to secure historic qualification

Malta have secured a historic qualification for the waterpolo European Championship finals next year after beating Poland 13-8.

Buoyed by Friday’s thumping of Switzerland, the Maltese national team went into this match knowing that a win would secure Malta’s place in next year’s finals after Switzerland had earlier lost 21-0 to Germany.

At the start of the second qualifying group G, the Maltese team needed two wins. They managed to secure the win this evening at the national pool in Tal-Qroqq after seeing off Poland.

Malta won the first session 3-0 after goals, and the second session 5-2. The third session saw Malta and Poland score three goals each, with Matthew Zammit, Steve Camilleri, and Jerome Gabarretta scoring Malta’s goals. Poland won the final session by three goals to two, with Clint Mercieca and Michele Stellini scoring the goals for Malta.

Malta’s best scorers were Steve Camilleri and Jerome Gabarretta with four goals and three goals respectively, while Michele Stellini scored twice to ensure Malta’s victory.

The win secures Malta’s historic qualification for the waterpolo European Championship finals that will be held in the Serbian capital Belgrade in January 2016.