MALTA   9

GEORGIA 15

(0-1), (2-6), (3-2), (4-6)

Malta played again against a much better opponent and no miracles were expected. A defeat that came after Georgia gained a comfortable lead in the second session, with the Maltese youngsters trying to gain a respectable score.

Georgia won the first session 1-0 as they scored a goal by Tornike Khvingia at the end of the first session, in a period where the Maltese team had some chances to take the lead. Georgia doubled their lead in the beginning of the second session and a minute later, Jacob Sciberras managed to lob the ball past Barabadze. Georgia gained control scoring immediately and expect the second goal by Sciberras, Georgia were more clinical and finished the second session with a five-goal lead.

Malta reacted in the third session and after Georgia scored their eight goal, Karl Izzo's team scored three consecutive goals from Liam Galea, Ken Erdogan and Jacob Sciberras, but Imnaishvili assured that the team stays with a comfortable lead.

The last went back and forth as Malta managed to score four goals to keep a respectable score despite that a defeat remains a defeat.

Malta: T. Micallef, K. Culic, K. Erdogan (1), J. Sciberras (3), B. Cachia (1), T. Said, M. Ortoleva, K. Tanti, M. Tabone, N. Zammit (1), L. Galea (3), J. Muscat, M. Xerri

Georgia: G. Barabadze, D. Tskhakaia (3), T. Diasamidze (1), K. Samkurashvili (2), V. Memanishvili, L. Khokhashvili, S. Dvali (1), G. Kutchuashvili (3), N. Imnaishvili (2), T. Cheishvili, T. Khvingia (2), G. Katamadze (1), N. Karchava

Referees: Stefan Seidel (Germany), Erkan Turkkan (Turkey)

Yesterday's results

Group A

Croatia vs Ukraine           19-4

Hungary v Montenegro 12-11

Grupp B

Spain v Germany              13-8

Italy v Romania                 12-6

Grupp C

Serbia v France                 19-3

Malta v Georgia                9-15

Grupp D

Russia v Slovakia               10-7

Greece v Turkey               9-7