Malta obtained a very important victory against Turkey in the waterpolo Junior European Championships being held in Tbilisi Georgia.

After suffering a 20-4 defeat at the hands of Italy in the opening match of Group A, yesterday the Maltese beat Turkey 12-8, a very important victory which launches the Malta side to at least the twelfth position in the final placings.

Sixteen nations are taking part, with Malta in Group A together with Italy, Turkey and Russia. Malta will play its third and final group match tomorrow at 8.30pm against Russia. Greece, Georgia, Montenegro and Romania are in Group B, Serbia, Hungary, Netherlands and Slovakia form Group C, and Group D comprises Spain, Germany, Croatia and France.

With yesterday's victory Malta will surely now avoid bottom place in the group and will probably face the runner-up of Group C in the second round ranking match.

Jake Muscat was Malta's best scorer yesterday with six goals, followed by Jake Bonavia with three, with Gianni Farrugia, Lucas Falzon, and Mark Amir Carani getting the other goals.