Once again the Maltese national pool team has succeeded in leaving its mark on the international pool scene. After winning the European Pool Championships way back in 2002 Malta registered another impressive result by reaching the final of the World Eight Ball Pool Championships which were held in Blackpool, England.

Despite the strongest of opposition, especially from the UK countries, who fielded their best professional players, Malta kept up the pace and proceeded through to the final.

In the round robin stages Malta had an impressive start by winning five consecutive games. In the first evening Malta overcame Northern Ireland 12-9. The following day Malta encountered ex world championships Australia and our players grabbed a 12-9 win.

Then it was the turn of France and with an identical score of 12-9 Malta secured its third victory. In the fourth game Malta encountered Ireland and this proved to be one of the most excited games with last frame giving the victory to our country. Malta continued on its winning streak by beating Spain 15-6.

The first defeat came against South Africa with a 12-9 score and with the same identical score Malta suffered its second setback at the hands of Wales. The next encounter saw last year's world champions England beat Malta 11-10 in the last and decisive frame.

Malta came back with a splendid 15-6 victory over West Indies but later suffered two defeats against India 12-9 and against Scotland 11-10. The last game was a crucial one with Malta needing a victory to go through the group stages and make it to the quarter-finals. With great enthusiasm the Maltese players fought back and got the deserved 11-10 win against Channel Islands.

In the quarter-finals Malta was drawn against Scotland. With the Scots' team composed of some professional players beating them appeared a very hard task but after a very exciting game and thrilling decisive frame Christ Mills put Malta into semi-finals.

Wales were Malta's opponents in the semi-finals. Unbeaten during the round robbing stages Wales were hot favorites to win the title. The Maltese lads kept on with their march and with steady potting overcame title contenders with a splendid 12-9 victory.

In the final Malta faced Ireland who always proved to be one of the strongest teams. Malta opened very well with two full sweep clean frames. Some mistakes which could have been avoided, overturned the score in favour of the Irish and later on in the game Malta suffered from lack of experience and big competition pressure.

This was the first experience for the Maltese players in front of the TV cameras and a fully packed arena in the World Championships. The end result was 8-4 in favour of the Irish.

The Maltese national team, managed by Carmel Cilia, was composed of Christ Mills, Antoine Cuschieri, Adrian Camilleri, Ivan Rizzo, Mario Cutajar, Marcel Micallef, Jesmond Schembri, Duncan Bezzina, Clint Azzopardi and Stanley Chircop

Another impressive result was registered by Malta's Under 18 national team. Reaching the semi finals of the category world championships was not envisaged but some strong performances from our youngsters overshadowed predictions.

In the round robin stages Malta opened with four consecutive victories beating Northern Ireland 12-3, Scotland 9-6, Ireland 8-7 and Channel Islands 11-4. Later on Malta suffered two defeats against Australia 8-7 and England 10-5.

The last two games were very important to secure a place in the semi-finals and the Maltese juniors made it happen by beating Wales 8-7 and Channel Islands 11-4. Unfortunately in the semi finals Malta lost to Australia 8-4.

The Maltese national junior team, managed by Manuel Lauro, was composed of Miguel Falzon, Malcolm Azzopardi, Xylon Aquilina, Robert Fenech, Ryan Barbara and Maverick Zammit

A strong performance earned Duncan Bezzina the honour of Men's Player of the Tournament while Miguel Falzon placed second in the Juniors category.

Vincent Degiorgio, association general secretary, was re-elected treasurer of the World Eight Ball Pool Federation for the coming two years. Degiorgio also holds the post of treasurer of the European Eight Ball Pool Federation.

In a press comment Vincent Degiorgio, who was in charge of the Maltese contingent, said that reaching the final of the World Pool Championships was something special and this reflected the professionalism of the Malta Pool Association which through the pool game is succeeding in keeping Malta's colours flying high year after year, in the international scene.

Vincent Degiorgio ? Secretary General