MALTA 5

CROATIA 19

(0-2), (1-3), (2-7), (2-7) 

The defeat against the hosts was expected and it materialised with Croatia proving to be too strong for Malta.

Malta could do little or nothing against one of the top teams in the waterpolo world and one of the favourites for the final win.

However, even though against all odds and with a depleted side, Malta still gave a good account of itself.

Malta was somehow still in the game by the half way line, as Croatia's expected goal glut failed to materialise.

This unfortunately came in the secomd halfn of the game, where Croatia scored at will for a comfortable victory.

Loren Fatovic was the best scorer of the match with five goals, with Malta's goals comimg from Matthew Zammit who scored a hat trick, and other goals from Plumpton and Dino Zammit.

Malta: J. Tanti, S. Gialanze, A. Galea, J. Gambin, Da. Zammit, M. Zammit (3), B. Plumpton (1), N. Bugelli, J. Abela, N. Zammit, B. Cachia, Di. Zammit (1), N. Grixti

Croatia: M. Bijac, R. Buric (3), L. Fatovic (5), I. Krapic (1), F. Lazic, L. Bukic (1), F. Krzic (1), M. Zuvela (2), J. Marinic Kragic (4), J. Vrlic, A. Basic, K. Kharkov (2), T. Popadic

Referees: Stanko Ivanovski (Montenegro), Erkan Turkkan (Turkija)