Malta Narrowly Misses European Snooker Glory in Golem Final
The 2025 European Snooker Championship concluded this weekend in Golem, Albania, with the men’s team final delivering both excitement and heartbreak for Maltese sport. For the second consecutive year, Malta’s snooker team reached the championship match, only to be edged out by a formidable Ukrainian side.
Representing Malta in the final were Philip Ciantar and Isaac Borg, our nation’s sole remaining team in the competition. Their journey to the final was marked by impressive performances, including a commanding 3-0 victory over France 1 (Nicolas Mortreux and Gauvain Bazin) in the semi-final on Saturday morning. This win showcased the depth of talent and determination within the Maltese snooker community.
Malta’s Road to the Final: A Showcase of Skill and Determination
Earlier in the tournament, Ciantar and Borg had already faced and defeated the Ukrainian duo of Anton Kazakov and Mykhailo Larkov in the group stage, raising hopes for a repeat performance in the final. The title match began positively for Malta, with Ciantar and Borg claiming the opening frame.
However, Ukraine quickly regrouped, levelling the score in the second frame before taking control of the match and securing the next two frames.
The final score stood at 3-1 in Ukraine’s favour, with frame results of 73-30, 24-69, 20-68, and 1-82.
Malta’s Snooker Success: Pride and Progress on the European Stage
Despite the disappointment of falling just short in the final, the achievements of Philip Ciantar and Isaac Borg at the European Snooker Championships deserve high praise. Over the course of six matches, the Maltese team recorded five victories, demonstrating both consistency and a high level of play against Europe’s best.
This runner-up finish further cements Malta’s growing reputation in international snooker and serves as an inspiration for the next generation of Maltese cueists. The entire Maltese sporting community can take pride in this extraordinary campaign, which once again places Malta firmly on the European snooker map.
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