The Ladies and Men’s National Squash Teams have now finished their preparations for the European Small Nations Squash Tournament to be held in Cyprus between 24 and 29 October. Both teams have been training hard over the last four months and are now ready for the competition.
The ladies squad consists of number one Annabelle Diamantino, based in Prague and back in the Malta team after a two-year absence, number two Johanna Rizzo, number three Sue Aquilina, and two reserves Roberta Pace Grima and Liz Said.
The men’s team consists of Malta’s number one and only full time squash professional Joseph Desira, number two Luke Giancchino, playing again for the first time in four years, number three Steven Schranz, number four Bernard Bugeja and at five Ivan Balzan.
The teams won Gold (women) and Silver (men) in the 2003 GSSE Games in Malta and National coach Paul Lake is looking for both teams to ‘bring home a medal’
In his comments, Lake said that all the squad players have worked extremely hard over the last four months both on and off the court. If everyone performs at their best and copes with the ‘overseas pressure’ he expects both teams to win a medal.
Malta kick off their campaign against the host nation and men’s defending champions Cyprus.
The ladies team have the same fixtures as the men, first match against Cyprus, competing for the first time in several years with a ladies team, and then Monaco, who, as with the men, won the bronze medal last year.
“A good start against Cyprus is essential and will build our confidence for the afternoon match against Monaco. I expect to start with two victories which would put us in a great position for the fight for silver or gold” said Lake.
Both teams will then play Iceland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein and will be hoping to add to their medal tally of over 20 medals during the past 16 years since the first ESNST tournament held in Cyprus in 1989.
Malta Squash Secretary Liz Said expressed her gratitude on behalf of all the players for the assistance by Emirate Air for their travel arrangements.