Moldova 23

Malta 72

(3-27)(6-20)(3-15)(11-10)

Malta obtained a comfortable victory against Moldova in the initial game of the FIBA Europe European Championship of the small countries in Struga, Macedonia.

There was no match at all against Moldova with the Maltese team, the current holders of the title, opening strongly from the initial stages of the game.

In the first three minutes the points came only from the Maltese team in an 8-0 run.

After Moldova’s first basket of the game, there was a strong 17-0 run by Malta to end the first quarter 27-3 ahead.

The second quarter opened with another 10-0 run from Malta. Moldova scored a couple of free-throws especially by Lavric, but Malta continued to administer the game and at half time the Maltese girls were leading 47-9.

The third quarter was again in Malta’s hands with an initial 15-0 run. Moldova managed to score only in the 10th minute for a 62-12 score.

The last quarter was a more balanced affair with a slow start from both sides and a 4-4 score in the first five minutes.

Moldova managed to win the quarter 11-10: however, Malta obtained the first victory 72-23 with good defensive play.

Rebecca Brincat Thoresen and Ashleigh Vella had 13 points, Elena Cassar 12 and Christina Grima 10.

Vella was Malta’s top rebounder with 13 rebounds and Grima had four assists.

Malta 80

Scotland 57

(18-12)(20-11)(27-9)(15-25)

A strong third session run together with another fine display on the defensive side of the court, the Maltese Women National Team the second victory in Struga Macedonia to go on top of Group A. Scotland won their first game against Azerbaijan 73-54 but could do nothing against the reigning champions. Malta opened with a 6-0 run in the first two minutes of the game. Scotland recovered and leveled the score on 12-12. Malta closed the session with a 6-0 run including a basket by Ashleigh Vella in the last 3 seconds for a score of 18-12. The first basket in the second period came in the third minute. Malta managed to open a 12 point lead after a basket by Christina Grima. Scotland replied with a trey from Hayward. Coppa’s girls kept the lead of 12 points in the 8th minute 32-20 and managed to increase it before half time 38-23. The third session opened with a strong 17-2 run by Malta including a Steffi De Martino’s three pointer and half way through the quarter Malta had a comfortable 30 point lead 55-25. The last moments of the quarter where more balanced however Malta was still ahead 65-32. The final session saw Scotland starting much better with a 15-5 run to reduce the gap to 22 point 70-48. Malta recovered with a short 10-5 break and although the Scottish side managed to win the session, Malta won the game 80-57. There were 5 players on double figures for Malta Rebecca Brincat Thoresen ending as best scorer with 20 points. Steffi De Martino scored 15, Ashleigh Vella and Josephine Grima had 14 and Christina Grima 12.