Recap

Malta’s defence of their title in the FIBA Under-18 Women’s Eurobasket Division C Championship got off to a challenging start in Kosovo, with a 45-60 defeat against Cyprus on Tuesday.

Sarah Fenech Pace was one of Malta’s standout players, contributing crucial points and defensive plays, though she struggled with turnovers at critical moments. She led Malta’s scoring with 15 points, completing a double-double with 12 rebounds. Philippa Riolo followed with nine points and six rebounds.

Malta began the game with a solid effort, taking an early lead with a basket from Fenech Pace and effective defensive rebounds that kept Cyprus at bay. However, Cyprus responded with robust defensive strategies and efficient shooting from Evdokia Patsalidou and Zoi Kouloumi. The first quarter ended with Cyprus ahead, 12-16.

In the second quarter, Malta tried to close the gap with aggressive play from Anna Fenech and Sarah Fenech Pace. Despite their efforts, Cyprus managed to maintain their lead with consistent scoring from Patsalidou and Dimitra Eftychiou. The half concluded with Cyprus extending their advantage to 25-33.

The third quarter was a tense affair, with Cyprus’s Kouloumi and Patsalidou making crucial plays, including free throws and three-point shots. Malta’s Sarah Fenech and Shanice Farrugia fought to narrow the deficit but struggled with missed opportunities as Malta had 13 points to earn in the final rubber.

Cyprus controlled the final quarter, however, with effective scoring from Sofia Morfiti and Eftychiou, who added to their team’s lead. Malta’s efforts, led by Sarah Fenech and Anna Fenech Pace, were hindered by turnovers and missed shots. Cyprus sealed their victory with a final score of 45-60, as Malta faced valuable lessons before their next fixture in the tournament.