Malta is on the verge of writing another historical chapter in the game of waterpolo when the national team takes on Belarus in the 2nd leg of their European Championship on Saturday.
This is because a Maltese victory will see Malta qualifying for a second consecutive time to play in the finals in Barcelona this summer.
After last week’s first leg in Minsk, Belarus are slightly ahead, having won that match 8-7. If Malta wins today’s match by a difference of a goal, the game goes straight to penalties to determine the country that qualifies.
Malta national water polo head coach Karl Izzo speaks ahead of the crunch qualification play off 2nd Leg against Belarus. (Photo: Domenic Aquilina)
Coach Karl Izzo is confident his Malta side will be able to qualify. “It is a crucial encounter, but we are well prepared for it. Moreover, Steve Camilleri will be available as will Nicholas Bugelli, who missed the first match because of a bout of flu. I am also confident that my boys will be able to rise to the occasion to overcome this hurdle,” he said.
Izzo said last week’s match was tense. “We were leading 4-1 till midway into the second session, but then an unfortunate own goal gave Belarus the chance to recover. Now we have to chase that one-goal deficit, but if we are given the desired push by the local fans, then I see no reason why we cannot qualify, even if I cannot guarantee that,” he added.
ASA president Joe Caruana Curran is also very confident that the side can qualify.
“The match in Minsk saw us losing narrowly 8-7. Here, it should be different, in the sense that we are banking on the vociferous support of the local fans to help us overcome the obstacle. We are expecting a considerable number of fans to watch the match at the pool. And if the police deem fit to close the gates because of security reasons, then the match will be transmitted on the big screen in the parking area, thanks to an agreement with the billboard owners,” he said.
He appealed to the fans to give their best support to the national team. “We are a step away from reaching our target – on the verge of writing a new chapter in the local game’s history,” he said.
The officials of the match are Baradas of Portugal and Chekhov of Slovakia.
He went on to thank the sponsors – Bank of Valletta, Enemed, VisitMalta and Malta Gaming Authority.
He also thanked the two coaches, Karl Izzo and his assistant Anthony Farrugia, as well as physiotherapist Edward Bonello, who have gone through a number of sacrifices to prepare the players in the best possible manner.