Malta’s men’s national hockey team fell to a 3-1 defeat against hosts Finland in their second match of the EuroHockey Championship II Qualifiers in Helsinki.
Fresh from a dramatic 3-2 victory over Greece, the Maltese made an encouraging start and took the lead through Thomas DeGiovanni, who calmly converted a penalty stroke. Malta held their advantage until the interval but were unable to maintain it after the restart as Finland mounted a strong comeback.
Elmeri Rihtilä restored parity before Ari Laiho fired the hosts into the lead just four minutes later. Santeri Määttänen then added a third goal to seal Finland’s victory.
Malta created several opportunities from penalty corners throughout the encounter but were unable to capitalise on them, ultimately paying the price against a Finnish side that proved more clinical in the second half.
The Maltese were scheduled to return to action later that day, taking on Gibraltar in their third fixture of the tournament.
Malta: Marvin Grixti, Karl Chircop, Nathan Pace Gasan, Xandru Mifsud Bonnici Weiss, Thomas DeGiovanni, Redeemer Rapinett (captain), Christ Agius, Joseph Ellul-Turner, Alexander Kirton, Kieran Borg, Luca Fsadni.
Finland: Jussi Luhta, Santeri Määttänen, Oscar Lahtinen-Kalsi, Elmeri Rihtilä, Paramprit Gill, Rasmus Karjalainen, Sampo Hirvioja (captain), Willem Danhieux, Emil Könönen, Ari Laiho, Lauri Ondreka.
