The 18th edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe came to an end yesterday evening in the athletes village in Budva in the presence of International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
Malta’s flag bearer in this 40-minute closing ceremony was Lisa Marie Bezzina winner of two gold medals in the 5,000 and 10,000m. During this ceremony the Olympic flag was handed over to Andorra who will organise the next edition in 2021, before Malta’s third turn to organise in 2023.
Malta finished these games with a haul of 27 medals, two less than two years ago, but we gained in gold medals, six in Montenegro against the four obtained two years ago. It is too early for judgment on the Maltese performances, but surely the greatest satisfaction came from shooting, swimming and athletics, with disappointments coming from Basketball, Beach Volley, Judo, and Table Tennis.