The Maltese girls led by coach Sandro Farrugia and assisted by Maria Agius, registered their third successive victory yesterday to finish on top of Group A with maximum points. The Under-18 European Championships Division C are being held in Andorra, and the Maltese girls yesterday faced the host nation, but once again gave a five-star display to brush aside Andorra's opposition.

The Maltese girls won their opening match against Monaco 67-21, won the second against Moldova 96-43, and yesterday they defeated Andorra 63-36. On Saturday they will face group B runner-ups Georgia in the first semi final, and in the other semi final Andorra will take on Armenia.

The Maltese built a massive lead by the end of the third quarter and only relaxed in the last quarter which Andorra won 20-8. Michela Zammit Cordina was Malta's best scorer yesterday with 16 points, followed by Sasha Lecuyer with 15 points and Ylenia Bonett with 14 points.

The Maltese boys yesterday finished their group commitments with a 62-58 victory over San Marino in a keenly contested match. Malta finished equal on six points with San Marino and Gibraltar, but the Maltese boys had to settle for third place with an inferior basket difference from second placed San Marino.

Nathan Xuereb was Malta's best scorer with 19 points, followed by Miguel Brincat with 14 points. The Maltese boys will now play for fifth to seventh place.