Malta men's national basketball team

The Malta national basketball team (Maltese: Tim nazzjonali tal-basketball ta' Malta) represents Malta in international basketball. They are controlled by the Malta Basketball Association. Malta has been a FIBA member since 1967, and competes at tournaments such as the European Championship for Small Countries, and the Games of the Small States of Europe.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Malta women's national basketball team.

Malta
FIBA ranking81 1 (9 December 2020)[1]
Joined FIBA1967
FIBA zoneFIBA Europe
National federationMalta Basketball Association
CoachAndrea Paccarie
EuroBasket
AppearancesNone
Championship for Small Countries
Appearances16
Medals Gold: (2018)
Silver: (2014)
Bronze: (2010, 2012)
Games of the Small States of Europe
Appearances11
Medals Silver: (1997)
Bronze: (1985, 1987)
First international
Malta 81–88 Cyprus 
(Serravalle, San Marino; 23 May 1985)
Biggest win
Malta 102–57 Gibraltar 
(Serravalle, San Marino; 30 June 2018)
Biggest defeat
Malta 43–138 Hungary 
(Valletta, Malta; 2 July 2001)

History

Malta made their official debut at the 1985 Games of the Small States of Europe, where they achieved the bronze medal.[2] The team was equally successful at the next edition. Then they did not win another medal again until the 1997 tournament. There they surprisingly won the silver medal after defeating Luxembourg in the semifinals, and losing to Cyprus in the final.

In 2001 and 2003, Malta joined the qualifying stages of the EuroBasket for the 2003 and 2005 editions respectively. However, they failed to qualify for both tournaments, as the team finished with six losses in six games played each time.

Malta also participated in all the editions of the European Championship for Small Countries, but did not win any medal until 2010, when they beat Moldova for bronze. In 2012, they won the bronze again and in 2014, Malta lost to Andorra in the final 66–63 to take home silver.

On 1 July 2018, Malta won their first official title after beating Norway, by the score of 75–59 in the final of the 2018 European Championship for Small Countries.[3] Samuel Deguara claimed the MVP title. After this success, Malta decided to take part in the Games of the Small States of Europe in 2019.

Competitive record

At Eurobasket
EuroBasket Qualification
Year Pos. Pld W L Pld W L
2003Did not qualify 606
2005Division B 606

At the Championship for Small Countries

Championship for Small Countries
Year Pos. Pld W L
19886th523
19907th523
19926th514
19946th514
19967th514
19985th404
20005th523
20027th514
20049th404
20068th514
20087th514
2010532
2012532
2014431
20166th523
2018422
Total762551

At the Games of the Small States

Games of the Small States of Europe
Year Pos. Pld W L
1985312
1987321
19895th312
19915th431
19936th514
19955th312
1997431
20016th422
20037th303
2005Did not enter
2007
20095th514
2013Did not enter
2015
2017
20194th413
Total411625

Team

Current roster

Roster for the 2019 Games of the Small States of Europe:[4]

Malta national basketball team roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameAge – Date of birthHeightClubCtr.
PG 4 Roderick Vella 34 – (1985-01-27)27 January 1985 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Hibs Sen
SG 5 David Bugeja 27 – (1992-04-01)1 April 1992 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Floriana MCP
C 6 Nelson Kahler 25 – (1994-05-22)22 May 1994 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Rockhampton Rockets
F 7 Cuschieri Patus 31 – (1987-05-31)31 May 1987 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Hibs Sen
PG 8 Peter Shoults 33 – (1985-09-11)11 September 1985 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) Gzira Athleta
SF 9 Nathan Xuereb 17 – (2001-12-21)21 December 2001 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Gzira Athleta
F 10 Tevin Falzon 26 – (1992-11-19)19 November 1992 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Bristol Academy Flyers
PG 11 Alec Pace 21 – (1998-05-15)15 May 1998 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) Starlites GIG
F 12 Aaron Falzon 23 – (1996-05-19)19 May 1996 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball
F 13 Matthew Gouder 21 – (1998-01-24)24 January 1998 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) Gzira Athleta
C 14 Kurt Cassar 20 – (1999-04-13)13 April 1999 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) Pallacanestro Piacentina
C 15 Samuel Deguara 27 – (1991-06-21)21 June 1991 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) Eastern Sports Club (basketball)
Head coach
  • Andrea Paccarie
Assistant coach(es)
  • Ruben Baldacchino
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Club – describes last
    club before the competition
  • Age – describes age
    on 28 May 2019

Head coach position
  • Bruno diPietrantonio: 2010
  • Paolo Di Fonzo: 2012-2014
  • Andrea Paccarie: 2016-present

Kit

Manufacturer

2018: Macron

2018: TEAMSPORT

See also

References
  1. "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  2. "National teams eyeing medals' positions". Times of Malta. 13 May 2003. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  3. "Malta claim maiden title". FIBA. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  4. "Montenegro 2019 - Match Deatails". montenegro2019.furkisport.hr. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
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