Malta opened their 2026 EuroHockey Championship II Qualifier campaign with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Greece.

After a goalless opening quarter, the Greeks took a two-goal lead in the third quarter thanks to a brace from Paris Welzel, putting them in a commanding position.

However, the Maltese refused to give up. Thomas Degiovanni pulled one back from a penalty corner before the same player converted another penalty corner in the final quarter to level the scores at 2-2.

With just three minutes remaining, Redeemer Rapinett led a swift attack and found Joe Ellul-Turner, who finished clinically with a powerful hit to score the winning goal and earn Malta three valuable points.

It was a performance full of determination and character from the Maltese side, who kept believing until the final whistle and were rewarded with a memorable victory.

Malta: Marvin Grixti, Shawn Dimech, Xandru Mifsud Bonnici Weiss, Thomas Degiovanni (C), Nicolai Runza, Redeemer Rapinett, Christ Agius, Keith Calleja, Joseph Ellul-Turner, Alexander Kirton, Luca Fsadni.

Substitutes: Karl Chircop, Charlo Sammut, Nathan Pace Gasan, Neil Spiteri, Lukas Brincat, Kieran Borg, Aaron Spiteri.

Greece: Nikola Gkogkos, Georgios Fouflias, Dimitrios Zografos, Elias Diringer, Matteo Panagis, Nikolas Dierckx (C), Luc Zafiris, Cedwyn Hochhauser, Llewellyn Hochhauser, Konstantin von der Mülbe, Paris Welzel.

Substitutes: Constantin Koniaris, Alexander Koniaris, Spyridon Koulouvardis, Nikos Patsoulas, Petros Elmensaoui, Stavros Sideridis, Georgios Koulouridis.