Malta are in pole position to claim the men’s Euro C title and promotion when they face Greece at the Marsa Sports Complex tomorrow (Saturday) kick off 6pm local time. The Knights came from behind to defeat Germany 29-28 last weekend thanks to a Jarrod Sammut drop goal and have made five changes to their squad from that success.
James Donovan, Ethan Xeureb, Mark Friel, Harold Sammut and Sam Khalifeh make way for Jon Micalef, Kyle Gauci, Kane Tippet, Josh Cassar and Kaine Dimech who takes on a player-coach role.
“After an historic win over Germany we know just how important it is to follow up that performance with a big showing on Maltese soil,” explained Dimech. “We expect Greece to want to dictate the pace of the game and test our defence, but we've had a really positive week at training with each session building in intensity and execution.
“There's a passion and desire to keep achieving here on the island and the lads know that promotion is on the cards if we can dig deep and find a win this weekend.”
Greece will be aiming to take the title fight into round three when they host Germany in Crete next weekend. Kyriakos Kakavelakis and Dimitrios Mavraganis are in line to make their debuts and Timur Agostini-Leland and William Giovas have been promoted from their European U19 Shield winning squad who impressed earlier this summer.
“It will be good to see how the local boys mix with the heritage players. We have many young players in the squad and they are the future for Greek Rugby League to keep moving forward on the domestic front,” said head coach Steve Georgallis.
“Malta have already played their opening game and have plenty of experience. Whatever the outcome, our players will take away valuable experience that will benefit the game back at home.”
England’s Ollie Maddock will take charge of the fixture.
The game can be watch live via: www.youtube.com/live/_DQMgTeiyog
Malta (squad): Josh GATT (Albi Tigers), Shaun CHIRCOP (Eastern Rhinos), Kyle GAUCI (Falcolns RFC), Kane TIPPETT (Falcons RFC), Joseph BRIGGS (London Chargers), Kaine DIMECH (Medway Dragons), Christopher KEATING, William WATTS, Willem WILLEMSE, Jean Pierre ZARB (Overseas RFC), Mark ROBERTSON (South Perth Lions), Josh CASSAR (Stanley Rangers), Xavier MAMO, Nicholas MAYLOR, Jon Micallef (Stompers RFC), Robin CUTAJAR, Jarrod SAMMUT (Unattached), Tomas STRICKLAND (Wolves RFC), Zarrin GALEA (Workington Town)
Greece (squad): Stefanos ESKIOGLOU, George KAKOURIS, Dimitrios MAVRAGANIS (AEK), George CHIONIS (Aris), Samuel STRATIS (Blacktown Workers), Nicholas TULIATU (Cessnock), Kyriakos KAKAVELAKIS, Alexandros LINOXYLAKIS, Nikolas STEPHANOU (Crete), Tyrone TSAGALIOS (Mounties), Timur AGOSTINI-LELAND, Thanos LAMPROU (Panianios), Eddie MARKOPOLOUS (Redcliffe), Alexandros ALIU, Aris KOULIZAKIS, Stefanos BASTAS (Rhodes), Leon BAKIS (Ryde Eastwood), Robert TULIATU (Salon), William GIOVAS (St Clair)