The women’s national handball team is in Bulgaria to take part in the IHF/EHF Women’s Challenge Trophy to be held from today to Sunday.

This is the team’s third official appearance at this competition, the last two being held in Cyprus in 2008 and in Israel in 2010.

Malta will be facing tough opponents in the group stage. Malta’s opponents in Group B, in fact, are Israel, Faroe Islands and Estonia. Bulgaria, Latvia, Moldova and Armenia make up Group A.

Group matches start today with Malta playing their first against Israel in the afternoon. Malta already played Israel twice in the 2008 Challenge Trophy losing both matches, 17-38 and 9-35 respectively. Placement matches will be played on Sunday.

The team, mainly composed of newcomers, is being led by national coach Joe Tanti and asst. coach Anthony Xuereb. Accompanying the team are also Anne Naudi, team manager, and Analise Cassar, the team’s physiotherapist.