Malta women’s U-18 waterpolo national team stun Ukraine with impressive fightback

The Malta women’s U-18 national team produced an astonishing fightback to overcome the challenge of Ukraine and secure their second win at the European Championships.

It was an extraordinary performance from Aurelien Cousin’s girls who looked down and out when they found themselves 10-6 behind at the halfway mark.

However, the Maltese girls’ resilience again came to the fore as they managed to produce a stirring fightback in the final session, as they outclassed their opponents 6-1 to secure a famous victory that rubberstamped their third-placing in the group behind leaders Serbia and Germany.

Chloe Amato was Malta’s protagonist as she managed to score no less than seven goals, but credit should go to all the girls who kept fighting till the end.

The result is testament that the strategy adopted by the Aquatic Sports Association to boost women’s waterpolo is already starting to reap its desired dividends.

The opening session turned out to be a tight affair with both teams trading the lead on several occasions.

In the end, it was the home side who took a slight 5-4 advantage following goals with Chloe Amato netting a brace with the other nettings coming from Ella Miceli, Elise Gatt, and Elisa Amato.

In the second session, the Ukrainians staged an impressive fightback as they completely outplayed the home side, netting six times, with Malta’s only goal coming from Nevise Agius as the visitors led 10-6.

Malta tried to push its way back into the match in the third session, finding the opponents’ net five times through Elisa Amato, Marierose Tully, Chloe Amato (2), and Eyla Schemjbri. But it was the Ukrainians who held a three-goal lead before the final quarter, 14-11.

When it looked as though the Ukrainians were cruising to victory, the Maltese produced the unthinkable in the final session.

Inspired by Ella Miceli, who bagged a brace, and Chloe Amato, who netted a hat-trick, as well as a goal by Eyla Schemrbi, enabled the Maltese to complete the astonishing fightback as they simply tore the Ukrainians apart and secured an impressive win.