Malta’s women’s national basketball team completed a flawless campaign at the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries by defeating Albania 72-55 in the gold medal game at the Palestra e Sportevet in Kosovo.

Charles Bonnici’s side capped an outstanding week in style, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament and producing another commanding display to secure the championship title.

Malta Take Control Early

The final began with both teams matching each other during the opening minutes, but it did not take long for Malta to stamp their authority on the contest.

Displaying excellent intensity at both ends of the court, the Maltese gradually pulled away as Albania struggled to cope with their relentless attacking play.

Amber Melgoza proved unstoppable in the opening quarter, scoring an impressive 17 points to inspire Malta to a commanding 29-13 lead after the opening ten minutes.

Strong Team Performance

Malta continued to dominate in the second quarter despite head coach Charles Bonnici rotating his squad and introducing several players from the bench.

The changes had little impact on the team’s rhythm, with Malta maintaining their defensive discipline while continuing to find scoring opportunities.

A late five-point burst extended their advantage to 44-23 at the half-time interval, leaving Albania with a significant mountain to climb.

Champions Never Looked Troubled

Albania attempted to mount a comeback after the break and briefly reduced the deficit to 17 points during the third quarter.

However, Malta remained composed and quickly regained control through key contributions from Amber Melgoza and Danika Galea, restoring a comfortable 57-38 advantage heading into the final period.

With one hand already on the trophy, Malta expertly managed the closing stages, matching every Albanian response while maintaining their sizeable lead.

Josephine Diaby scored Malta’s final basket of the game as the national team completed an emphatic 72-55 victory to spark celebrations among the players and coaching staff.

A Perfect Tournament

The triumph crowns an exceptional tournament for Malta, who combined disciplined defence with efficient offensive play throughout the week to secure the gold medal.

Under the guidance of Charles Bonnici, the national team displayed remarkable consistency and teamwork, winning every match on their way to the championship title.

The success represents another significant achievement for Maltese basketball and highlights the continued progress of the women’s national programme on the international stage.