The national waterpolo team this evening obtained a historic qualification for the European Finals to be held in Serbia between 10 and 23 January.

For the first time Malta will be among the top 16 nations in Europe after Poland were beaten 13-8 at the National Pool.

Malta had a great start, winning the first session 3-0 and following it up with a 5-2 partical score as the teams changed ends at 8-2. Poland slowly started coming back into the game, winning the third session 2-3, but Malta held on and in spite of Poland getting a partial 3-5 score in their favour in the last session, Malta's advantage was comfortable enough for Karl Izzo's boys to win 13-8.

This followed Friday’s win against Switzerland with a 20-8 score. Sunday’s match against Germany will determine the winner of the qualifying group, but both Malta and Germany are already through.

The Serbia tournament will see giants like Serbia, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Croatia, Spain, Romania and Greece taking part, having already qualified as the best eight nations in Europe in the last edition. The winner of the European championship will also qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio next summer.

Malta’s goals this evening were scored by Steve Camilleri (four), Gabarretta (three), Michele Stellini (two), Matthew Zammit, Niki Lanzon, Dino Zammit and Clint Mercieca.

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The Nationalist Party congratulated the Maltese waterpolo team for their historic feat.

In a statement issued by spokesman David Agius, the PN said that waterpolo players should be given the possibility to train for this particular sport at full-time level, and called for the setting up of a fund in the next budget to sustain this endeavour.

He also called upon PBS to purchase the rights to broadcast Malta's matches in Belgrade and for the necessary arrangements to be made to enable as many Maltese supporters as possible to fly to Serbia to accompany the national team.