The 2026 European Team Shield Championships are set to begin at the Royal Malta Golf Club, with Malta preparing to welcome one of the biggest international golf events ever staged on the island.
Organised by the European Golf Association (EGA), the prestigious competition officially gets underway on Tuesday, bringing together some of Europe’s emerging golfing nations for a week of high-level competition and international sporting exchange.
First launched in 2015, the European Team Shield Championships were created to provide developing golf nations with valuable international experience while supporting the continued growth of the sport across Europe. This year’s edition will feature 18 countries, with 96 players accompanied by coaches and team officials.
Malta will be represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions. The men’s team will be led by captain Ruud Critien, who will also compete alongside Andrew Borg, Oliver Davis and JJ Micallef Verlest. The team will be supported by coach Nicholas Zaher and assistant coach Andreas Schwab.
The women’s squad will consist of Eliana Buhagiar, Laya Cristina, Serena Falzon Sant Manduca and Filipps Schulze Doering, with Noah Gratil taking on the role of team captain.
The championships will officially open with a ceremony on Tuesday 28 July at approximately 6:00pm, before competition begins the following day with the Individual Stroke Play Round. The Matchplay stages will take place from 30 July to 1 August, with the tournament concluding on Saturday with the closing ceremony and prize presentation.
Malta Golf Association President William Beck described the event as a landmark occasion for Maltese golf, highlighting the importance of hosting such a prestigious international competition on home soil.
SportMalta also praised Malta’s selection as host nation, noting that the opportunity reflects the country’s growing reputation for successfully organising major sporting events.
Beyond the competition itself, the championships are expected to provide further international exposure for Malta as a sports tourism destination while contributing to the continued development and promotion of golf locally.
With the Royal Malta Golf Club at the heart of the action, the island is ready to welcome Europe’s rising golf talent for a memorable week of international competition.
