Malta just lost out for a place in the final, in a splendid display, against the tournament favourites. Luxembourg had to sweat it out till the end, before they could breathe easier, against a gallant Malta side who played their best match yet in the tournament, despite the loss.

Malta’s shifting defence came up trumps again, as Luxembourg, with their taller players, couldn’t penetrate, but they were served well in the distance shooting department, netting three treys, to stay close to the Maltese, who led for nearly the whole session. Lucienne Bezzina also got a trey , late in the quarter, as Malta kept Luxembourg at bay, for a deserved lead.

In the second session Malta went out in a determined fashion. They surprised their opponents, amassing a 10-0 break, including treys by Bezzina and Beverlee Zammit, to lead 28-15. The visitors finally co-ordinated their play, to reduce the arrears, starting off with a Koch trey. Malta responded with a Grima hoop, to snap the Luxembourg run, but the locals were having difficulty in obtaining points, as Luxembourg made up the deficit, and it was a 30-30 tie at the interval, with the visitors playing more confidently.

After the break Malta opened with a Galea hoop, but were hit by yet another Koch trey. Then there was a period of play, where no point was registered, as both defences were dominant. Malta put in their free shots, for a 37-35 lead, late in the quarter, but in a fluctuating final minute Luxembourg turned the score around, with a Claes hoop, to lead 38-37, with a quarter to go.

Luxembourg extended their advantage at the start, with a Claes trey, but Malta doggedly came back, trading hoop for hoop, to stay close. A Zammit trey made it just 46-47 down, but Hetting came up with consecutive points, 9 in all, for a Luxembourg break, as Malta were seeking a breakthrough.

At the halfway stage it was 56-46. Zammit replied for Malta, with free shots and a trey, and it was close again. Malta were within a hoop down, at 56-58, when they were stopped by a Margue trey, and although they tried till the very end, Luxembourg held out to make the final, against Scotland. Malta will now play for the bronze medal, against Moldova, at 3.15pm today. The final is at 5.30pm.

Luxembourg: 11 C. Koch, 10 C. Margue, 7 N. Mossong, 2 A. Ludiwig, S. Debra, 3 R. Wagener, 2 E. Stoll, A. Kugener, L. Schmitz, C, Schaeffers, 21 T. Hetting, 9 K. Claes

Malta: 15 D. Galea, A. Sciortino, 6 L. Bezzina, G. Zarb, A. Borg, 2 D. Parnis, 2 K. Micallef, F. Schembri, 16 B. Zammit, 19 J. Grima, C. Fenech

Referees: K. Mouzakis (Greece), A. Bosta (Moldova)

Other results:

Semi final: Moldova-Scotland 48

5/7 place: Gibraltar-Wales 50-54