Aquatic Sports Association president Karl Izzo said that the Malta waterpolo national team’s performances in the European Championship qualifiers have shown that this team means business and are keen to maintain their progress in the international sphere.

Izzo spoke to the Times of Malta at the end of the European Championship qualifiers at the National Pool where the Maltese selection booked their place in a sixth successive continental finals.

Hard-fought victories over Ukraine and Portugal ensured Milan Cirovic’s men will board the plane for Belgrade, Serbia, in January, where they will look to improve on the 15th placing achieved two years ago.

However, there is growing optimism among the waterpolo clan that the national team can make even more strides forward in the Euro finals and reach a higher placing, particularly after their resilient performance against continental giants France which saw the team only lose in a penalty shoot-out, after the match ended in a 10-10.

The result was particularly remarkable as the last time the two countries met a few years ago, France prevailed 17-7.

“All the people that came to the pool, or watched the match on television, today realised that this waterpolo national team means business,” Izzo told the Times of Malta.

“This is the first time that we managed such a result against France, as the last time we faced them, we ended up losing by a big margin.

“Today, the players were really at their very best, quite remarkable when one considers that this was the third match in the space of three days.

“It was a very good performance, with the players scoring some spectacular goals, but we were let down by some mistakes that cost us dear.”

Izzo said that Malta’s sixth successive qualification was proof that the work carried out not only by the ASA but also by the club was reaping the desired dividends.

“This result is a clear testament that all the work carried out, not only by the ASA, but also the clubs, who are have invested heavily in foreign coaches and infrastructure, is reaping the desired dividends,” Izzo said.

“It’s a clear sign that the whole waterpolo community in Malta is determined to work together so we continue to climb the ladder in European waterpolo and improve on the 15th placing achieved in the last edition.”

Young talent

One of the young, talented players in the squad is Benji Cachia, who could not hide his pride following the team’s achievements this week.

“We took part in the European qualifiers with a clear plan – to secure qualification for the continental finals,” Cachia said.

“The team achieved this goal against Portugal, and today we knew we had a tough job on our hands when facing France.

“The French are a team that always places very highly in top competitions and we gave them a good run for their money.

“We wanted to win the match, but it was not to be. But no doubt, we are making huge strides forward and  we will do everything in our power to try and arrive as high as possible in the next Euros in January.”