Both Maltese teams participating in the European Team Shield Championships 2026, currently being held in Malta, have reached today’s finals with the opportunity to claim the respective trophies.

The men’s team, consisting of Ruud Critien, Andrew Borg, Oliver Davis and JJ Micallef Verlest, defeated Latvia 2-1. It was a challenging encounter for the Maltese players, who nevertheless maintained the required focus despite the intense heat affecting the Maltese Islands and the pressure surrounding such an important match. In today’s final, Malta will face Turkey, who defeated Bulgaria 2-1 in the other semi-final.

The Maltese women also secured a positive result after overcoming San Marino 2-1. The team made up of Eliana Buhagiar, Laya Cristina, Serena Falzon Sant Manduca and Filipps Schulze Doering displayed remarkable consistency throughout the match, despite facing a technically strong San Marino side that remained competitive until the end. Malta’s women will also face Turkey in the final, after the Turkish team defeated Bulgaria 2.5-0.5 in their semi-final.

With these results, both Maltese teams have already secured medals, while they now aim for the gold medal and the opportunity to win the competition, which is being hosted in Malta for the first time.