Massimo Cremona was in terrific form last weekend where, during the World Cup competition held in Palermo, he made it through to the final losing after a penalty shootout against Massimiliano Nastasi of Italy 2-4 after a 2-2 draw.
In a very balanced encounter which saw Cremona taking the lead after 40 seconds of play but the Italian made an immediate reaction which saw him overturning the result three minutes later.
Although there was a strong reaction from Cremona till the end of the first half the result was 1-2.
In the second half Cremona dominated most of the game and four minutes from the end he managed to draw level thus entering in the golden goal.
During these 10 minutes period Cremona had a golden opportunity to score, but the reflexes with the keeper of Nastasi kept the result intact. Thus the shoots were needed to determine the world championship title. Nastasi had the better of Cremona 2-0.
It was Cremona’s second World Cup final after Germany 2006. He has been on the losing side twice but improved from last year semi final berth.
On his way to the final, in the group stages Cremona beat Simone Bertelli of Italy 1-0, drew with Christian Blummel of Austria 1-1 and had the better of Christofe Dheur of Belgium 2-1.
In the last 16, Cremona beat Alberto Matteos of Spain 2-1, in the quarter final e needed a golden goal winner to eliminate Danielle Bertelli of Italy 3-2. In the semi final Cremona produced his best to beat Bessim Golger of Belgium 3-1.
The other Maltese players Mark Gauci and Jospeh Borg Bonaci both reached the quarter final losing to Nastasi 4-6 and Hass 1-2, while in the Last 16, Conti was eliminated by Golger 2-3 on shoots and Bartolo to Hass 4-5 on shoots as well.
Veteran Category
The three Maltese players competing in this category advanced from the group stages but were eliminated in the Last 16 phase. Joseph Mifsud lost to Stefano De Francesco 1-2, Adrian Bonnici was beaten by Granados 1-3 while Jason Pisani went down to Belloni 0-2.
Under 19
Angelo Borg managed to reach the semi final of this category losing to eventual winner Kegenbein 1-2 while Darren Carabott was eliminated by Kwiatkowsky 1-3. Darren Bezzina was eliminated from the group stages.
Under 15
The three Maltese players Kurt Tabone, Andrew Abela and Melvin Barun lacked competiveness and all were out from the group stages.
Under 12
Ismael Fenech went also out from the group stages
Female
Melenie Fenech, Malta only female representative although she gave a good performance was eliminated from the group stages.
Teams competitions
Open Category
Malta was drawn in the tough group with Italy and Spain. After loosing the inaugural match to Italy 1-3 and drew with Spain 1-1, the destiny of Malta was sealed elsewhere as Spain drew with Italy 1-1 to advance.
Italy won the final beating Belgium 2-0.
The Malta team was composed from Mark Gauci (capt), Massimo Cremona, Derek Conti, Samuel Bartolo, Joseph Borg Bonaci and Charles Aquilina.
Veteran Category
Malta finish third place in this category with five teams taking part.
Italy finished World Champion ahead of runners up Austria and third placed Malta.
Belgium and Spain finished behind Malta.
The team comprised Joe Mifsud (capt) Adrain Bonnici, Mario Camilleri, Patrick Pace, Jason Pisani, Tony Sapiano and Joe Zammit Pavia.
Under 19
Malta lost the final to Italy 1-2. Spain were the other team in this competition.
The team was formed by Angelo Borg (capt), Darren Bezzina, Darren Carabott, Adam Gatt and Andrew Abela.
The Maltese contingent was led by MTFSA president Tony Sapiano, vice president. Joe Zammit Pavia and treasurer Jason Pisani.
Next year’s World Cup is to be held in Athens, Greece.