The Maltese Olympic Committee yesterday said it was quite satisfied and happy with the two golds and the other medals and good results which have been achieved so far by Maltese athletes in Liechtenstein.

Addressing a news conference at the Press Centre, the president, Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco said Malta had a treasure of athletes. “They have showed they really love their country. They are committed to their task. They are all united in sport, no piques exist in this contingent and the atmosphere that reigns is exemplary.

“Squash’s Bradley Hindle Deguara is our diamond. He has confirmed that our decision to select him as flag-bearer was justified. He is a formidable athlete. However, the two Squash teams deserve praise for their great successes. Winning two golds was not an easy task. The MOC must thank Squash Malta’s Liz Said and Ivan Balzan for their great endeavour. The Squash group has honoured Malta. It will be a great emotional moment for all of us when we see the Malta flag being raised and the national anthem played at the presentation ceremony,” he said.

Farrugia Sacco said the Games were at the half-way stage, more or less. “The athletes have confirmed they are well prepared. In some cases we were also lucky, but in others we were less lucky. Let us not forget that we are missing medal prospects in sailing, shooting (clay pigeon), basketball and gymnastics – all medal winners in Cyprus. These four disciplines are not included at these Games, but we are still doing well,” he added.

MOC Director of Sport and Chef de Mission Mark Cutajar said the number of medals won so far was perhaps slightly better than predicted. “I am keeping my fingers crossed for the next two days. We have won some medals that were expected. In some cases, medals were missed, even by a whisker. We also hope to improve our tally till the end of competition,” he added.

Cutajar went on to shower praise of the beach volley girls, Alison Borg and Gertrude Zarb who, against all predictions, managed to reach the semifinals of their competition. “They did a great job and were very impressive in their victories against Andorra and Monaco.

“All the other athletes, especially the medal winners deserve praise for their results and their efforts. I am a little disappointed with the cycling results. Here I feel we were betrayed by David Millar who had promised to join our ranks for these Games on 20 May and a day later started finding all excuses to avoid coming with us here,” he added.

Cutajar said the Games for the Small States of Europe are serving their purpose in the case of Malta’s athletes as these are showing improvement. The MOC is satisfied that we are all working well together,” he said.