Slovenia               10
Malta    9

After the heavy defeat against Romania in the opening match, Malta suffered the second defeat late Saturday evening losing 10-9 against hosts Slovenia. Malta was leading 9-8 with six minutes to go in the last session, but suffered two goals to succumb to its second defeat.

The first session finished 2-2 with Slovenia always taking the lead, with the Maltese fighting back with a Jacob Sciberras penalty and a James Gambin goal.

In the second session Bergant put Slovenia in front taking advantage of a man-up situation, but Malta made it 3-3 with another James Gambin goal. The third session was an exciting quarter with both sides sharing eight goals.

Slovenia took a two-goal advantage with a Blaz Briski brace, but the Maltese stormed back to score three goals on the tro to take advantage for the first time in the match. The goals came from Jacob Sciberras, Nikolai Zammit and Darren Zammit.

Rok Bergant made it 6-6 with a man-up advantage, and Slovenia were back in front with an Aljaz Troppan penalty. But with 22 seconds to go Darren Zammit made it 7-7.

In the last quarter Mikhael Cutajar put the locals back in front, but Matic Rahne made it 8-8. Liam Galea put the Maltese youngsters back in front, but Slovenia scored twice through Rahne and Troppan, both with numerical superiority, to win this tight contest 10-9.

In the other match from the group, Romania defeated Switzerland 10-2. The Swiss who also lost both their matches so far will be Malta's opponents in the final match on Sunday morning.

Malta: T. Micallef, J. Bajada, J. Sciberras (2), J. Zerafa Gregory, T. Said, N. Zammit (1), L. Galea (1), J. Gambin (2), D. Zammit (2), M. Cutajar (1), M. Azzopardi, G. Ciappara.

Slovenia: A. Dekovic, U. Verbic, L. Sokler, M. Rahne (3), A. Salhi, M. Lipkin, A. Pusavec, A. Troppan (3), D. Gostic, J. Justin, B. Briski (2), R. Bergant (2), M. Mrgole