National coach Sergio Afric is convinced that his Malta side will be able to beat Turkey and qualify for the next round of the European Championship next October.
Addressing a news conference yesterday, he said that despite the 3-15 defeat in Turkey in the other match earlier this season, everyone who was present for that match was aware that it was a bizarre result brought about by several factors, including bad refereeing.
He also said the team then did not include top star Steven Camilleri of Italian side Bogliasco and some other players who were unavoidably absent. “Now Steven is back and I believe I have a strong squad ready to do battle with the Turks. I have to make it clear that not only Steven is important for the squad. All the others are equally important,” he said.
Afric said that Malta needed just one point from today’s match or that to be played in Poland on Friday, to qualify for the next round in October. “We know that we also beat Poland in the first home match, but an away match is always more difficult. That is why we have to get a positive result today against Turkey. My players are well prepared for these matches and are eager to register a positive result today, thus making sure of qualification,” he added.
Afric said that even if defeated today, they would know that they did everything possible. “I am sure my players will be giving their hearts out this evening. In case we lose today, we will still have the chance to qualify in Friday’s match against Poland,” he added.
Asked whether it would be difficult to motivate the players for the Poland match if there is a negative result today, he replied: “No, of course not. I think it will be more difficult to motivate the players for Friday were we to win today’s match. If we lose today, the players know what they have to do on Friday,” he said.
Afric acknowledges that Turkey are better ranked than Malta, but he added that playing at home is an advantage which Malta should take advantage of. “We expect a large crowd at the pool to give the Malta side some strong support,” he stated.
Joe Caruana Curran, ASA president, said earlier that today’s match was very important for the Malta side. “We are aiming to qualify for the October round, even if we are aware of the prospect of facing a strong side from among Spain, Germany, Romania, Greece and France. We know that these matches are probably out of bounds for our players, but it would be a great opportunity for our players to play against such European giants in the game of waterpolo,” he added.
Caruana Curran said that ticket prices have been kept at just €2 instead of the normal €3.50. “We need the support of the crowd badly. That is why we have fixed such cheap prices. Moreover, children and Kartanzjan holders will be admitted free of charge,” he said.
The ASA president said the players, Afric and his assistant Karl Izzo had worked very hard in preparation for these two clashes. “It is an important week for Maltese waterpolo. We wish to get a positive result against Turkey today. On Wednesday we leave for Szechin via Berlin where on Friday we play against Poland in the evening.
“I am hopeful that our players will rise to the occasion and get a positive result. They have made a lot of sacrifices and are determined to qualify. I also wish to thank the other players who failed to make the final 13. They also worked hard, but they are all aware that only 13 have to be selected,” he added.
The squad, announced by Afric, for these two matches, is the following:
Alan Borg Cole, Niki Lanzon, Jerome Gabarretta, Paul Privitera, Timothy Sullivan, John Soler (captain), Steven Camilleri, Jordan Camilleri, Clint Debono, Karl Galea, Andrea Bianchi, Michele Stellini, Ryan Coleiro.
The team officials, sitting on the bench will be coach Sergio Afric, his assistant Karl Izzo and Dr Stefan Camilleri, who will also be accompanying the squad for the Poland match on Friday.
Today’s match starts at 6.30pm and is to be controlled by a Greek referee, Kouretas, and another from Spain, Sisneros. The LEN delegate for the match will be a German, Manfred Water.