PRISTINA (Kosovo) - Malta and Norway remain unbeaten in the FIBA Women’s European Championship for Small Countries 2024 as they set up an intriguing Final.
Malta defeated Albania 75-62, led by MVP candidate Amber Melgoza who recorded a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds to go with 5 assists and 4 steals.
Kristy Galea and Stephanie De Martino also chipped in with 15 points each, the later also dishing a game-high 6 assists, and Danika Galea had a near double-double of 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Ornela Lalaj’s efforts of 9 points and 8 rebounds were not enough for Albania who will now compete for the bronze.
Sophie Abela displayed Malta’s devotion to try and win their fourth gold in the tournament’s history, playing intense defence until the very last play getting a bucket-saving block.
Norway brushed aside defending champions Cyprus with an emphatic 72-31 victory.
As has been the case throughout the tournament, Norway’s scoring was spread across the roster as eight players scored 5 points or more - led by Karyn Sanford’s 13.
Head coach Gunnar Voigt Nesboe utilized his squad depth with no player playing more than 25 minutes, whereas three Malta starters played a full 40 minutes ahead of tomorrow's final.
The two nations have never met in the Final previously, although Norway were there most recently losing to Cyprus in the 2022 edition while Malta will play their first Final since 2016.
Also on Sunday, Andorra and Georgia play in the 7-8 Classification Game, Kosovo and Armenia then meet to decide fifth place, before Albania and Cyprus compete for the bronze medal.
FIBA