Ahead of Malta's senior waterpolo team's participation in the 33rd LEN European Water Polo Championships in Barcelona this month, Malta's head coach Karl Izzo stated that his team are well prepared and all set to go.
"I believe that the 13 players chosen are in my view the best and most in-form players at the moment and this applies to any new faces in my squad. Stevie Camilleri will captain the team, taking over from Niki Lanzon. I do believe that my team is more prepared this time round than our last participation in Belgrade, so I expect positive performances and am sure we will do well during the championships."
"The pool in Barcelona will in itself generate an exciting atmosphere with around 5,000 spectators per match expected to attend. Our team will be playing against the best teams in Europe. We start against tournament favourites Spain, then meet Alexander Ivovic's Montenegro side and finish off against France. From there we have to see how it goes. Our objective is that of coming back with our heads held high and a better placing than our 15th position in our participation in the last European Championships held in Belgrade."
Izzo also spoke about the physical condition and the form of his players in the squad.
"We are very well prepared both physically and mentally and in my view we are covered in every position".
When asked if Malta can manage a good result against France, the Malta mentor answered that a thorough analysis of all the opposing teams has been undergone.
"We have analysed France in particular and the way they play through videos, etc. If we do not commit errors I am convinced we can get a good result against the French."
ASA President Joe Caruana Curran said that "the moment for the most important event in the water polo calendar has finally arrived. We will go to Barcelona to make Malta proud as we have always done"
Malta opens up with a very difficult opponent - Spain - on Monday, then meet Montenegro the following day. France will be Malta's last opposition in the preliminary round phase on Friday, July 20.
During the same event, Diane Izzo, CEO of Dizz Group presented the ASA with complete kits for the Malta team.
The Malta squad: 1. Nicholas Grixti - Sirens 2. Jerome Gabaretta - Sliema 3 Andreas Galea - San Giljan 4. Jeremy Abela - Neptunes 5. Michael Spiteri Staines Sliema 6. Matthew Zammit - San Giljan 7. Steven Camillieri (Captain) - Neptunes 8. Jordan Camilleri - Neptunes 9. Ben Plumpton - San Giljan 10. Aurelien Cousin - Exiles 11. Nicholas Bugelli - Sliema 12. Dino Zammit - San Giljan 13. Jake Tanti - San Giljan; coach Karl Izzo, assistant coach Anthony Farrugia, physio Edward Bonello