The Malta U-16 waterpolo national team bagged their first win in the European Championship finals when they had the better of Moldova 14-11 in Istanbul, on Wednesday.
It was a strong performance from Anthony Farrugia’s boys, who were determined to end their group commitments with a victory after losing their opening two matches against Georgia and the Netherlands.
Matthew Soler and Sebastian Van Wyk were Malta’s top performers with four goals apiece.
The Maltese youngsters started strongly as goals from Soler, Van Wyk, Max Lanzon and Jack Zammit put them 4-2 ahead by the end of the first session.
Moldova fought back in the second session but the Maltese held firm as goals from Van Wyk and Soler kept the team one goal ahead at the half-time interval – 6-5.
The Maltese youngsters rediscovered their scoring touch in the third session as they scored four times through Soler, Lanzon, Zac Schranz and Benjamin Lewis to start the final quarter 10-7 ahead.
The final session was a real thriller as the Moldovans fought back to bridge the gap to just one goal, 11-10, but the Maltese regrouped and eased home to a 14-11 win.
Malta’s scorers in the final session came from Lanzon, Soler and a brace from Van Wyk.
Malta will now await their opponents in the positional play-off for 13th and 14th place.