Recap

Athleta and Valletta Lionesses delivered an intense battle in the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League, with Valletta securing their first-ever victory since their official debut in October 2024.

The game began with Athleta’s Kennedi Williams showcasing her dominance in the paint, responding to early pressure from Valletta’s Sarah Kankaras, who opened the scoring. Athleta briefly took the lead through Laura Camilleri’s accurate shooting, including a well-taken three-pointer, but Valletta’s resilience shone through as Taissa Nikishina’s free throws kept them in contention.

Francesca Sant’s three-pointer midway through the quarter pushed Athleta ahead, but Valletta’s Olesia Malashenko wrestled back momentum with an impressive scoring streak. Her layups and free throws edged Valletta in front, although Nicole Vella’s quick responses from the charity stripe ensured Athleta stayed close. The quarter concluded with a thrilling three-pointer from Vella, narrowing the gap to 15-17 in Valletta’s favour.

Valletta capitalised on their momentum early in the second quarter, led by Malashenko’s dominance inside the paint. Scoring consistently, she extended Valletta’s lead with a mix of jump shots and second-chance points. Athleta’s Williams countered with successive layups, but their struggles from beyond the arc limited their offensive output. Despite Julia Cipriott’s spirited efforts, Valletta maintained control through Malashenko’s scoring, ending the half narrowly ahead at 34-29.

In the third quarter, Valletta’s Nikishina and Malashenko found their rhythm, adding to their lead. Athleta’s Williams, relentless in transition, fought back with fast-break opportunities, reducing the deficit. However, Valletta’s Marija Momcilovic converted crucial turnovers into points, extending their lead despite Athleta’s defensive efforts. A late three-pointer from Abela kept Athleta within striking distance at 45-36.

The final quarter saw Athleta make a spirited push, driven by Williams’ remarkable performance on both ends of the court. Her free throws and jump shots narrowed the margin, but Valletta’s Malashenko continued to dominate, scoring consistently in the paint. Nikishina’s composed free-throw shooting under pressure further solidified Valletta’s advantage.

Despite Williams’ late-game heroics, including a driving layup and a jump shot to cap her 28-point performance, Valletta’s collective effort held firm. Malashenko, finishing with 29 points, sealed the victory with a late free throw.