During the first wekend of March, four Maltese players took part in the Major event held in Mons, Belgium. Massimo Cremona, Mark Gauci, Joseph Mifsud and Hansel Mallia made up the national team.
Malta won this match with goals difference. The Belgian team was made up from the best players as the match was played on home grounds.
Besides playing away the Maltese showed their character and aggressiveness and got a prestigious win. This friendly match was IN preparation for the upcoming international event to be held in June.
On Saturday, the Maltese players were also participating with their repective teams. Cremona took the utmost as he reached the final with Perugia of Italy. Perugia lost to Napoli Eagles for the third time this season. Cremona won his match but it proved meaningless as Perugia lost the encounter 2-1.
Hansel Mallia captained the Belgian team of AS Hennuyer, but he only managed to reach the quarter final. Hennuyer lost to Belgian side Charleroi SC 2-1. The Maltese performance was impeccable and he did not lose a match. Hennuyer beat AS Reggiana in the last 16 and Mallia’s goals determined the qualification to the quarters.
Mark Gauci and Joseph Mifsud of Atlas lost to AS Milan in the second stage. Although the Maltese players performance was good, the Italian side was too determined for their qualification and managed to qualify for the next stage to the expenses of the Greeks.
On Sunday, the individual competition took place. The four Maltese qualified from their respective groups. Unfortunately, Cremona and Gauci met soon after the groups and Cremona beat Gauci 2-1 in a very controversial match.
Mallia lost to the Greek Spiros Hantzaras. Mallia dominated the match throughout but he conceded a goal in the last seconds of the match and this left the Maltese without any possible chance for a reaction.
On the next stage, Cremona beat Belgian Sami Targui 3-1. Unfortunately, the Maltese lost in the last 16 to Massimiliano Nastasi 3-0.
Ex world Champion Gil Delogne from Belgium, won this event after beating Spaniard Carlos Flores 2-1.
The world ranking list shows Cremona keeping his second place. Mifsud has climbed to 12th place, Mallia is at 17th place and Gauci kept his 30th place.