France-Malta 17-7

(3-0, 7-4, 5-1, 2-2)

Malta’s debut in the European waterpolo championship ended in a heavy defeat against France, with Karl Izzo’s boys succumbing to stronger opponents with a 17-7 score.

It is the first time that Malta qualified to take part in this competition which brings together the best 16 teams in Europe.

Steve Camilleri was by far the star in the Maltese side, scoring five goals, two from a penalty.

The game had a slow start, with the French taking their time to settle down as the Maltese lads held them at bay, also thanks to some fine saves by Nicki Grixti.

But in the latter part of the first session the French scored three times in quick succession, Camarase, Marzouki and Crousillat finding the net.

The second session started with Malta’s first ever goal, scored by Steve Camilleri from a penalty after a foul on Matthew Zammit.

Camilleri netted another three times in this session, including a second penalty after yet another foul in the centre of San Giljan’s Mattew Zammit, but France scored seven goals to take a 10-4 lead at the change of ends. Their goals in the second session were scored by Crousillat (2), Saudadier, Simon, Blary, Marzouki and Idzinski.

The Maltese side continued to find it hard against the tight full-pitch press adopted by the French, and as the energies started to fade away, the French continued to pile up their advantage in the third session.

It was Steve Camilleri who scored again for Malta for a 10-5 score, but the French added five more goals till the end of the session through Saudalier, Simon, Crousillat (2) and Laversenne.

The French released their grip in the last session, in which four goals were shared by the two sides. Jordan Camilleri and Matthew Zammit scored the two goals for Malta, with Simon and Kovacevic replying for France.

In total, Malta scored three from six man-up situations.

Malta plays its second game against world champions Serbia on Tuesday.