Germany-Malta 14-11
(3-3, 3-1, 3-5, 5-2)
Germany pulled away in the last quarter to beat Malta 14-11, with Karl Izzo’s boys finishing in a best-ever 14th place in the European championships.
It could have been an even better 13th position for Malta, as the national team took a 10-9 advantage early in the last session.
The turning point was in all probability a miss by Dino Zammit – scorer of five of Malta’s goals – which could have given a two-goal cushion for Malta. From the break, Germany obtained the 10-10 draw and scored two more goals in quick succession to breathe easier.
Malta continued to miss good chances – including a triple-exclusion – and Germany could control the proceedings for a 14-11 finish.
There were some tense moments in the last minutes of the game as Malta and Germany both had two players sent off for good.
In the first session, Malta three times replied to a gola scored by the Germans, with Plumpton, Lino Galea and Dino Zammit the scorers.
Malts went ahead for the first time early in the second session, but three quick goals gave Germany a 6-4 lead by the change of ends.
In the third session, the Maltese lads drew level at 6-6 and then shared six goals for a 9-9 parity before the last eight minutes started.
Plumpton put Malta ahead for the second and last time at 10-9, but the Germans scored three times in a row to take a 12-10 advantage. Dino Zammit gave some hope to the Maltese with thre minutes two go but Germany kept the momentum and closed the game at 14-11.
The 14th place is the best ever result obtained by Malta, as previously the highest position was the 15th.
Malta: J. Tanti, S. Gialanze, A. Galea, J. Gambin (1), Da. Zammit, M. Zammit (1), B. Plumpton (2), N. Bugelli, J. Abela (1), N. Zammit, L. Galea (1), Di. Zammit (5), N. Grixti
Germany: M. Schenkel, Z. Bozic, F. Korbel, M. Cuk (1), F. Schuetze (3), M. Juengling (1), D. Strelezkij (2), L. Kueppers (3), M. Stamm, P. Dolff (2), P. Kubisch, M. Gansen (2), K. Goetz