The Malta Blackball Federation has concluded its fifth qualification tournament, moving one step closer to finalizing the squad that will represent the island at the 2026 Nations Cup in Gibraltar. Three additional players have officially secured their positions on the national team after a series of high-stakes matches.

Matthias Debono claimed his spot in the Under-23 category with a composed performance, defeating Clydon Attard 10–6 in the final. Debono’s victory confirms his readiness for the international stage following a consistent run throughout the qualifying rounds.

The Men’s final provided the most drama of the tournament, featuring a nail-biting encounter between Lydan Debono and Kevin Schembri. In a match that went down to the final frame, Debono showed immense mental fortitude to edge out Schembri with a narrow 10–9 victory.

The Seniors category was equally competitive, with Jeffery Farrugia securing his place on the plane to Gibraltar. Facing off against Jesmond Schembri, Farrugia emerged victorious with a hard-fought 10–9 win, demonstrating the experience and skill required for the veteran division.

With these results, the core of the Maltese contingent is taking shape. The Federation will continue its selection process in the coming weeks to fill the remaining slots for the highly anticipated tournament in Gibraltar.