by Malta and Cyprus won plenty on Day 2, as Athletics, Judo and Swimming all delivered podiums for the two countries. Below is a summary of proceedings after Day 2, covering also progress in other disciplines like Basketball and Table Tennis. Day 3 will mark Malta’s debut in Rugby 7s and Basketball 3×3 on Day 3, while promising medals in shooting, swimming and table tennis.
Squash
It was a family affair in women’s singles as Malta’s Colette Sultana claimed gold, after beating her sister Lijana in the final, who settles for silver. The battle for bronze was won by Luxembourg’s Sandra Denis after she beat Cypriot Vaso Karasava.
Meanwhile, the men’s singles competition was dominated by an all-Liechtenstein final contested by David Maier and Luca Wilhelmi. Malta’s Kijan Sultana claims bronze after fellow Maltese Niall Engerer was forced to retire through injury.
Athletics
Malta dominated the gold medal winnings, taking a total of six medals, which included winnings in both women’s and men’s categories of the 800 m and 10,000 m races. Jared Micallef and Gina McNamara claimed gold in the 800 m, with McNamara’s sister, Clare also claiming bronze. Jordan Gusman and Lisa Bezzina outclassed their opponents in the 10,000 m. In the Men’s category, Gusman was trailed by Luxembourg’s Bob Bertemes and Malta’s Dillon Cassar. Meanwhile, Andorra’s Ariadna Fenes and Iceland’s Iris Skuladottir took silver and bronze in the women’s category.
In the 100 m sprint, San Marino’s Francesco Sansovini claimed gold, while Cyprus’ Stavros Avgoustinou and Malta’s Beppe Grillo completed the podium. Luxembourg’s Patrizia Van won the women’s category, trailed by Cyprus’ Olivia Fotopoulou and San Marino’s Alessandra Gasparelli.
Additionally, Malta’s Peppijna Dalli also secured gold in the Women’s Pole Vault, while Claire Azzopardi dominated in the Women’s Long Jump. Cypriot Emilia Kolokotroni emerged victorious in the Women’s Hammer Throw, followed by compatriot Valentina Savva, while Malta’s Mireya Cassar claimed the bronze.
Judo
A number of medals were also claimed in Judo. Malta’s Katryna Esposito claimed gold in the women’s 48 kg category, while James Zahra settled for silver in the 60 kg class. Valerian Ogbaidze and Isaac Bezzina both finished third in the 90 kg and 100 kg categories respectively.
Swimming
Iceland dominated gold medals in swimming, taking the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, as well as both men’s and women’s 200 m medleys. In the men’s medley, Birnir Halfdanarson, outpaced Luxembourg’s duo of Joao Reisen and Florian Frippiat. On the other hand, Eva Falsdottir claimed gold ahead of Andorra’s Nadia Tudo and Monaco’s Giulia Viacava.
Meanwhile, Malta won its first gold in swimming since 2005 by claiming the men’s 4x100m Freestyle relay, thanks to the teamwork by Raoul Stafrace, Kyle Micallef, Matthew Galea and Rudi Spiteri, which was aided by disqualifications for Luxembourg and Monaco.
Monaco’s Theo Drenne won the Men’s 800 m Freestyle, while Loris Bianchi (San Marino) and Dylan Cachia (Malta) settled for silver and bronze respectively. In the women’s category, Arianna Valloni (San Marino) claimed gold, followed by Malta’s Sasha Gatt and Iceland’s Freyja Birkisdottir.
Luxembourg’s Max Mannes won the 200 m backstroke, leading Antonio Nikolaou (Cyprus) and Thomas Wareing (Malta). Meanwhile, Monaco’s Viacava paired her bronze in the 200 m medley with a gold in the 200 m backstroke. Iceland’s Ylfa Kristmannsdottir took home silver, while Malta’s Victoria Balderacchi claimed bronze.
The 100 m Freestyles were claimed by Cypriots Nikolas and Kalia Antoniou, while compatriot Agathi Manoli took home the gold in the Women’s 200 m Butterfly. Florian Frippiat claimed gold in the men’s category.
Progress in Basketball, Table Tennis and Shooting
Group phases continued in Basketball 5×5, which saw Luxembourg fall to Montenegro, and Malta emerge victorious against Cyprus in the women’s categories. In the men’s Montenegro narrowly edged out Luxembourg (76-72), while Malta fell to defeat against Cyprus.
Table Tennis also proceeded with more group stage matches. Malta won all four of its encounters of the day which were held against Monaco (women’s), Montenegro (both men’s and women’s), and Andorra (men’s). In the women’s category Luxembourg, emerged victorious against both Iceland and Cyprus. Montenegro and Iceland registered no victories as they also fell to Monaco and Cyprus, respectively.
In the men’s categories Wednesday morning will kick-off the remaining four group stage matches at 10 am. Both Women’s and Men’s Team Matches will culminate on Wednesday with semi-finals kicking off at 2 pm, while the finals are pencilled in for 6 pm.
Wednesday will also wrap up qualifications and culminate in finals in shooting across the men’s and women’s trap and pistol categories, promising the first medals in the sport.
Tennis knockouts continued in men’s and women’s singles as well as pairings. Full report here.
Debuts in Rugby and Basketball 3×3
Wednesday will also see Malta’s Rugby 7s women’s and men’s teams take to the field for the first time in the GSSE. The women’s team will play twice, first facing Montenegro at 11:30 am, and then Luxembourg at 17:30. Meanwhile, the men have three encounters. They will make their first appearance against Andorra at 10 am, followed by Luxembourg at 13:45 and then finishing the day against Cyprus at 16:45.
Similarly, Malta will also be making its debut in the 3×3 discipline of Basketball. The men’s team will face Luxembourg at 11 am, followed by Cyprus at 1 pm, and then Andorra at 3.30 pm. The women’s side faces the same opponents, i.e. Cyprus at 10:30 am, Luxembourg at 11:30 am, and Andorra at 2.30 pm.
Photo: Laura Cunningham
