Malta U-17 close in on qualification to Euro finals

SWITZERLAND 5

MALTA 16(0-5, 1-4, 3-5, 1-3)

The Malta U-17 waterpolo national team continued where they left off this morning when they overcame a slow start to beat Switzerland handsomely 16-5 in the second match.

This was the team's second win in the qualifying campaign and will all but secure qualification to this summer's European finals in Georgia should they beat the Czech Republic this evening.

In fact a win against the Czechs would secure Karl Izzo's boys a top-two placing in the group ahead of Friday's tough match against Greece.

Spurred by Miguel Vassallo’s early penalty save, Malta banged in the goals again supplied mainly by Jake Muscat who went on to add eight more, to a total of 15 goals.After opening a five-goal gap by the end of the first session, that advantage was eventually extended eight goals by the change of ends.

Muscat defied the ill-effects of cramp and battled on bravely to strike eight times, before leaving the water early in the third session.

He was followed by Ben Cachia and Sebastian Busuttil who scored three apiece.

Switzerland: P. Gazzini, E. Mathis 1, F. Rickenbach, M. Meier, C. Greb, F. Carminati, R. Regalado Rabasa 3, M. Pittet 1, D. Cikotic, D.