Malta ended its commitments at the LEN Europa Cup with a 16-5 defeat against hosts Croatia.

It was Malta’s fourth defeat in as many matches, something that was to be expected given the strength of the opponents.

But the experience in Split served as preparation for Malta’s double encounter with Belarus which will determine which country will take part in the European championships in Barcelona in June.

Session scores today were 0-5, 1-4, 2-4, 2-3.

Malta’s goals were scored by Steve Camilleri (3, including a penalty), Matthew Zammit and Nicholas Bugelli.

Malta has also lost to Serbia 17-3, to the Netherlands 12-8 and to Greece 20-2.

The 13 players in Split are: Nicholas Grixti (Sirens), Nicholas Bugelli (Sliema), Andreas Galea (San Ġiljan), Darren Zammit (San Ġiljan), Jeremy Abela (Neptunes), Matthew Zammit (San Ġiljan), Stevie Camilleri (Neptunes), Jordan Camilleri (Neptunes), Ben Plumpton (San Ġiljan), Aurelien Cousin (Exiles), Zach Mizzi (Sliema), Dino Zammit (San Ġiljan), Jake Tanti (San Ġiljan)