The Maltese girls were in completely different shape yesterday beating Monaco by a twenty-point margin. Malta won 72-52 (15-14, 21-13, 17-12, 19-13), dominating the match after a balanced first quarter.
The side looked a transformed lot with Steffi Demartino again outstanding with 20 points, and winning a very good number of rebounds. It was however a collective effort that saw the Maltese through with Simmons also making considerable improvement potting 15 points, and very sharp and effective especially in the first half of the match.
Arguello had a slow start but improved as the match progressed and potted important points late in the game when Monaco was making a last-ditch effort to get back in the game.
Monaco did the early baskets with Malta unable to basket in the opening minutes but Sophie Abela netted the first three-pointer to set Malta going, taking the lead for the first time for a partial 9-6. Monaco had a good run to make it 10-10 but till the end of the quarter Malta finished on top 15-14.
In the second quarter the local girls shook off their early difficulties and started to play better dominating under the boards and potting with a high scoring percentage, opening a ten-point lead mid-way through the quarter and finishing with a nine-point lead 36-27, by the interval.
After the break the Maltese girls led by coach Angela Adamoli continued to improve taking their lead up to 17 points. But Monaco mad a comeback and reduced the deficit to 13 points and even to ten in a difficult patch for the Maltese girls. However the Malta recovered and finished the third quarter with a 14-point lead 53-39.
As expected Monaco made their last attempt but could not get past Malta's good defending under the board. Arguello scored a three-pointer followed by another basket to kill off Monaco's aspirations as the Maltese cruised home to a twenty-point victory 72-52, that augurs well for the rest of the tournament.
After the match coach Angela Adamoli was visibly more than satisfied with the result and most of all with the performance. She said that the first match against Iceland was a difficult one because of the physical strength of the opponents but mostly because her squad is relatively a new one and the opener was practically the first practice match for the side.
She said that Malta does not have tall players in the squad and so must do that extra collective effort to counter balance for this. She said that today the girls gave their all and played as a whole team. About possible final placing Adamoli said that there are other strong opponents like Montenegro and Luxembourg, but she is still optimistic and believes in the capabilities of the squad.
Malta: Sophie Abela 5, Patricia Arguello 10, Maria Bonnett, Maddison Borg 2, Samantha Brincat 2, Christina Curmi 3, Steffi DeMartino 20, Kristy Galea, Gabriella Mifsud 1, Sarah Pace 5, Amelia Simmons 15, Ashleigh Van Vleight 6.
Malta goes down in overtime after incredible comeback
The men’s team lost against Iceland yesterday 80-75 (22-14, 12-7, 15-17, 15-23, 16-11) after a period of overtime, overtime necessary after Malta’s incredible comeback who in the last 15 minutes of the match cancelled a 22-point deficit and even taking a five-point lead.
But in overtime Iceland kept its cool to claim victory with a four-point margin. Malta completely gave away the first two quarters of the match, with very poor shooting and a rather difficult approach towards basket.
However half way through the third quarter, Malta, led by an outstanding Aaron Falzon who potted 33 points, started the comeback which forced the game to overtime.
It was difficult start for the Maltese who failed to make a basket in the opening four minutes. Iceland took a six-point lead, but an Aaron Falzon three-pointer opened our account and the Maltese continued to make it 6-6.
But an impressive series of three-pointers quickly shifted the tide in favour of Iceland who opened a nine-point lead with a minute to go for the first quarter, a first quarter that ended with Iceland in front 22-14.
In the second quarter the Maltese failed to come to grips with their opponents as their shooting was very poor, compared to their opponents who kept piling points building a 13-point lead with six minutes to go.
The Maltese simply could not cope, finding it incredibly hard to add to their point tally with the first part finishing 34-21 for Iceland.
Malta’s poor shooting performance continued in the second part with Iceland’s moves more fluid and above all sharper in their attempts at the hoop building a massive 22 point lead with five minutes to go for the third quarter.
However the Maltese finally finished the third quarter in crescendo winning some defensive rebounds and reducing the gap to eleven points for a 49-38 score.
The fourth quarter was an incredible experience with Aaron Falzon charging the comeback with the deficit reduced to a mere point with five minutes to go. With four minutes to go Malta went in front for the first time in the match 56-54 and a David Bugeja three-pointer gave the Maltese a five-point lead.
However Iceland regained composure and led 64-61 with twenty seconds to go but a last gasp three-pointer from Aaron Falzon sent the match to overtime.
In overtime Iceland opened a four-point gap but two quick baskets from Samuel Deguara made the score level again. However Iceland led again 75-71 with 90 seconds to go and the Maltese were unable to recover this time losing the match 80-75.
Malta: Roderick Vella, David Bugeja 7, Nelson Kahler 2, Chad Patus 11, Peter Shoults 2, Nathan Xuereb 2, Tevin Falzon 3, Alec Felice Pace, Aaron Falzon 33, Matthew Gouder, Kurt Cassar 2, Samuel Deguara 13.