Following a record-breaking performance at the Games of the Small States of Europe in Andorra – where Malta’s athletics team earned an impressive 19-medal haul, three gold, 11 silver, and five bronze, the team now sets its sights on Maribor, Slovenia, for this year’s edition of the European Team Athletics Championships.

The biennial competition sees teams from across the continent competing for promotion to higher divisions, and Malta will be competing in the Third League.

Malta’s contingent is made up of 31 athletes and eight officials.

After securing seventh place in 2021 and a fifth-place finish in 2023, the team had high hopes of fighting for promotion this year.

However, the unfortunate withdrawal of five key athletes due to personal reasons has impacted the team. The absentees are sprinters Beppe Grillo, Jared Micallef and Janet Richard as well as Clare McNamara and Jeremy Zammit.

Despite this setback, the team remains committed and will compete in all events – 18 for each gender, plus the mixed 4x400m relay – to maximize its scoring potential.

In a first for Team Malta’s history of international competition, two team captains have been appointed: Luke Bezzina and Gina McNamara.

Both have been instrumental to Malta’s successes over the years and are known for their leadership and team spirit.

The team is led by Head of Delegation and Athletics Malta treasurer Darren Micallef, and Team Leader and technical director Mario Bonello.

Team Malta’s participation in the European Team Athletics Championships is supported by SportMalta.

Men’s Team: Luke Bezzina; Matthew Galea Soler; Isaac Bonnici; Simon Spiteri; Luke Micallef; Jordan Pace; Benjamin Salnitro; Nicolai Bonello; Romeo Flavio; Ian Paul Grech; Ryan John Zammit; Miguel Buttigieg; Kareem Chouhal; Luca Gerada; Omar El Aida Chaffry; Kurt Zahra; Nick Bonnet; Matthew Azzopardi

Women’s Team: Thea Parnis Coleiro; Martha Spiteri; Gina McNamara; Lisa Bezzina; Rosalie Borg; Zaida Pace; Sana Grillo; Rachela Pace; Antonella Chouhal; Mireya Cassar; Mariah Grima; Alessia Cristina; Claire Azzopardi.