Against all expectations, Malta lost the men’s doubles gold medal yesterday evening. Simon Gerada and Andrzej Makowski lost 3-0 to the Luxembourg duo made up of Valente de Sosa and Michely who won both singles and a crucial doubles match.

Gerada and Makowski had been considered as the favourites to retain the title they had won two years ago in Andorra. Luxembourg number two Michely spurred his side by winning his singles against Makowski 3-2. Valente de Sosa later gave his side a 2-0 lead after beating Gerada 3-0.

Then, the pair from Luxembourg prevailed again over the Maltese couple 3-1 in the doubles encounter.

In the morning, Malta went on to wrap things up in three straight wins against Cyprus to set up the final showdown against Luxembourg.

In the women’s field, Malta’s Johanna Grech and Yu Whang obtained the bronze medal in the doubles after losing 3-1 to San Marino yesterday morning.

At the end of the tournament, a disappointed Simon Gerada commented: “In table-tennis, many times you win, and sometimes you lose”.

Team manager Alex Anastasi also appeared disappointed. He said: “It was not our day. Hopefully we will now make an impact in the individual events.”