Tag: piotr stelmach

Valletta confirm Stelmach report as Farrugia stays

Citizens sign Andre Attard, Jonathan Camilleri

Valletta BC confirmed Malta Basketball’s July report on Monday after announcing the signing of former Athleta centre Piotr Stelmach while continuing to upgrade their roster for the coming season with the extension of Maltese centre Matthew Farrugia, as well as two new local signings for the senior men’s team. 

Stelmach was one of the highlights of last season with Athleta and this will be a boost in value to the Capital Club’s roster as the former NCAA SEC champion was back in Malta for preseason with coach Harry Savaya and his team.

“We are excited to announce Piotr Stelmach as a Valletta Player,” a statement read.

“Graduated from Mississippi State University a D1 college, competed in SEC and won it. Stelmach played 11 years pro in Poland at the highest level and competed in EuroCup and VTB – (he) won the Polish Championship, won a bronze medal in Poland, won the Polish Cup.”

Through announcements made by the club throughout the last few days, the Citizens also re-confirmed Farrugia after having been a big part of their debut season in Division One last season. Before that, the club showcased the signing of former Luxol youth player Andre Attard and former Depiro player Jonathan Camilleri. 

“We are pleased to confirm Matthew Farrugia as a Valletta Player,” a club statement read. 

“Matthew started playing with Loyola Basketball Club and attended several international basketball camps in Europe. He also represented Malta at the 2010 & 2011, U16 European Championship Men Division C and other smaller competitions with the national team

“After a break, the Two-meter centre returned to play with Valletta Basketball club.” 

Last season under coach Harry Savaya, Farrugia played 18 games, starting 12 across all competitions. He averaged 3.4 points and 3.7 rebounds a game in a season where Valletta looked to be in their experimental stage, putting a challenge for the rest of the teams but struggling to keep up in the final stages of games, an issue attributed to the lack of experience as a team within the division. 

New Valletta signings

Meanwhile, the Capital Club have brought on Attard for his senior debut after having played for Luxol’s youth teams in the past.

“We are pleased to announce Andre Attard as part of our club for the upcoming season,” Valletta said in a separate statement.

“After 10 years experience with Luxol with 2 titles won, he is joining us for his first experience at the highest level.”

Finally, the club has also signed veteran player Camilleri, whose past experience at Depiro and Qormi is said to be an asset to the team’s efforts.

“We are happy to announce Jonathan Camilleri as a Valletta Basketball Club player,” Valletta announced.

“Jonathan is not a new face within the local basketball scene, having started his basketball career with Qormi Basketball Club and eventually also joining Depiro Basketball Club in recent years.

“Jonathan has played in the senior and junior teams within both Qormi and Depiro and will surely bring in experience and grit for this year’s team in searching for success.”

Valletta Fighters sign Stelmach from Athleta

After a solid first season in the BOV Division One with Athleta, Piotr Stelmach is a Valletta Fighters player, Malta Basketball can confirm.

The Polish power forward was one of the highlight transfers of last summer as he was brought onto the scene with the Gzira-based club and has surely left a good impression on the rest of the local basketball community, with Valletta immediately showing interest over the summer.

Now coach Harry Savaya has gotten his man as the Citizens begin their rebuild for the coming season.

Last season, Stelmach was one of three late summer signings for Athleta, announced together with Dajuan Moorer and Ivan Medved. While Medved halted his season very early due to injury, Moorer and Stelmach became important pillars of the team then coached by Christos Kousidis. While the Greek coach left the club to become Hibernians’ coach, Moorer’s contract expiration saw him return home, and Stelmach remains after what sources called a lucrative offer from Valletta.

At Athleta, the former Polish Cup winner had a slow start, missing out on all of the team’s John Tabone Shield games. However, he made up for this in the league campaign, averaging 18.3 points per game. The 6’9 forward, who also played in the centre position at times, scored 48.3% of his shots from the field while putting in the work on defence for eight rebounds and almost a block each game.

Now, Stelmach boosts a squad that will play its second season in the league with hope of a better run after failing to secure any wins in what appeared to be an experimental league campaign. The Citizens had already extended the contract of former Depiro guard Andy Attard during last season but have now made another significant addition in Stelmach, with further signings said to be added.