Malta on Wednesday ended its first round commitments in the European waterpolo championships with a third defeat, this time against mighty Hungary.
After losing to Montenegro 12-21 and France 13-22, Malta succumbed to a heavier 6-21 score against the Hungarians, considered among the favourites to win the competition.
The first session was the best for the Malta side, with Hungary going 4-2 in the lead. But the Hungarians piled up goal after goal to build up an 11-4 lead by the change of ends and, after the interval, continued to score at regular intervals.
Hungary won the third session 5-2 and completed the score with a 5-0 difference in the last session.
Malta's goals were scored by Liam Galea (2), Matthew Zammit, Ivan Nagaev, Stevie Camilleri and Alec Fenech.
Malta will now play for the 13th-16th place. The next game is against Israel on Friday. Georgia or Slovenia, and Turkey or Slovakia, will be another two opponents Malta will be facing Saturday and Sunday.