MALTA 14
SLOVENIA 13
(3-4, 5-4, 3-3, 3-2)

The Malta waterpolo national team etched their name into the history books in Belgrade after clinching their best-ever finish at a European Championship finals, defeating Slovenia 14–13 to secure 13th place overall.

Milan Cirovic’s side once again demonstrated remarkable composure and resilience, fending off a determined Slovenian challenge to complete a perfect run in the positional play-offs, registering three wins from three matches.

Ivan Nagaev and Liam Galea were instrumental in Sunday’s success, with Nagaev leading the scoring with five goals and Galea adding four. Captain Stevie Camilleri delivered another inspirational performance, notching a hat-trick, while Alec Fenech and Matthew Zammit also found the net.

The achievement came amid off-pool distractions following a Times of Malta report that several players were under investigation for alleged match-fixing related to the tournament opener against Montenegro. Despite the outside noise, the Maltese players deserve immense credit for remaining focused and producing when it mattered most.

Malta made a bright start, opening the scoring through Nagaev, who converted the first man-up opportunity of the match. Slovenia responded through Enej Potočnik, but the Maltese quickly regained the lead thanks to a powerful drive by Galea, before Camilleri extended the advantage to 3–1 with a clinical central effort.

Slovenia hit back through two close-range strikes by Vukaš Stefanović to restore parity. Malta’s efficiency in front of goal then dipped, allowing Potočnik to give Slovenia a 4–3 lead at the end of the first session.

The Maltese regrouped in the second quarter, with Galea levelling the score with a long-range shot. Potočnik once again put Slovenia ahead, but Camilleri capitalised on a man-up situation to make it 5–5. Nagaev then struck a powerful drive to give Malta a 6–5 lead, only for Stefanović to respond from distance. Fenech restored Malta’s advantage with a thunderous effort, but Slovenia continued to threaten, Potočnik making it 7–7.

The end-to-end nature of the contest continued as Matija Canc edged Slovenia ahead once more, before Galea ensured the teams went into the long break level at 8–8.

In the third session, Nikolai Zammit showed great awareness to regain possession after hitting the post and then set up club teammate Matthew Zammit to put Malta 9–8 ahead. Slovenia replied immediately through Nace Stromajer, and the sides continued to trade goals. Further strikes from Camilleri and Nagaev saw the teams enter the final quarter locked at 11–11.

Nagaev once again stepped up to put Malta in front, before Galea handed his side a crucial two-goal cushion at 13–11. Slovenia refused to surrender, with Stromajer pulling one back, but Nagaev restored the two-goal advantage with a six-metre shot.

Although Jaša Kadivec gave Slovenia late hope, Malta held firm in the closing moments, defending resolutely to seal a famous victory and a landmark 13th-place finish at the European Championships.