#38: Three Golds, One Silver And One Bronze For Malta In The Games For European Small States
Another historic result for Malta came by way of the European Championships for Games of the Small States, with no less than three golds, one silver and one bronze medal.
The golds came by way of Jean Schembri (ITL), Alycia Cassar (ITL) and Luke Chircop (DAM), while the silver medal came by way of Michela Scerri (ITL) and Nathan Degiorgio (DAM).
It was one of the largest teams fielded by the Maltese contingent, with fighters from cadet, junior, and even senior categories.
Gianluca Barbara, 34, made a return at senior level in the -74 kg category. He drew the current European Small States champion Chadrack Lungungu (LUX) in the quarter-final. After a convincing win in the first round, Lungungu managed a comeback and claimed the next two rounds.
Juniors Nathan Degiorgio and Fergeson Galea drew each other in the quarter-final of their respective category (-55 kg). It was a close match with both fighters claiming a round each, only to score 16-16 in the third (and final) round.
Fergeson Galea (red) and Nathan Degiorgio (blue).
With the score tied, Nathan was declared the winner for having registered an additional non-scoring hit in the round.
Nathan later advanced to the semi-final, facing Prodromos Angelos Hadjicosti (CYP). The experienced Cypriot won with a round score of 2:0. This made Nathan Malta’s first medalist (bronze).
ITL’s Michela Scerri drew Cypriot Adrianna Ioannou, winning the first round comfortably. Unfortunately, Ioannou made a strong comeback to claim the second. Ioannou and Michela then locked horns in a difficult third round that saw the Cypriot edge to victory with the narrowest of margins; one point. Michela walked away with a hard-earned silver medal.
Gold Medalists
ITL’s Alycia Cassar (Junior -55 kg) faced Luxembourgian athlete Lisa Vrosch, who sailed through the final after a comfortable win against the Kosovan national team. Alycia registered a masterful performance, winning the final with a score of 2:0.
Alycia Cassar (blue) against Luxembourgian athlete Lisa Vrosch in the final.
ITL’s Jean Schembri (Cadet - 37 kg) faced Montenegrin Rijad Dervishi in the final of their respective set. It was a great moment for Jean, who returned to the field of play following a seven-week injury from his last international event. Despite that, he secured a convincing win with a score of 2:1.
Finally, Luke Chircop (Cadet - 57 kg), from DAM, registered stunning wins over two opponents from Cyprus. Andreas Ioannou (semi-final) and Konstantinos Papaefstathiou (final).
Tallinn Open
Refugee Team athlete Mamadou Balde (ITL) also made a senior presence at the Tallinn Open, which took place a day after the European Games of the Small States.
Mamadou drew French athlete Nahil Mehnana in the quarter-final of the - 87 kg category. Unfortunately, Mamadou lost the match in a closely-fought contest.
From left to right; Fergeson Galea, Alycia Cassar, Anna Vassallo (MTA President) and Nathan Degiorgio.
The team was led by national coach Ditmir Vodinaj, and attended by MTA representatives Anna Vassallo (President) and Association Administrator Michelle Chircop, who attended the General Assembly held in Estonia that very week.
MTA Thanks SportMalta
Our participation in this event would not have been possible without the aid of SportMalta, and for that, the Association extends its thanks.
