For the first time in history, the Malta Water Sports Association (ASA) will host the final of the last four teams (Final Four) of the Men’s Water Polo Champions League between 5 and s -June 7, at the National Pool in Tal-Qroqq.
Malta was chosen after the application made by ASA met all the main requirements of the European Federation for Aquatic Sports and has the full support of the Maltese Government in collaboration with SportMalta and VisitMalta.
The Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima said that this is another positive result of the government’s work together with the sports associations. He reiterated that the Government is committed to continuing to help Maltese sport by all means so that this sector continues to grow.
“It is gratifying that our country is being chosen to host international sporting events, a testament to the professionalism in this sector, the high quality of the sporting infrastructure we have and also because we are considered to have everything that is required for sporting events of this level to take place in our country”, said Minister Grima.
The Minister for Tourism and Public Cleanliness Clayton Bartolo pointed out that sports tourism is helping greatly to continue attracting higher quality tourism to the Maltese Islands.
“The fact that we will have an international level water polo tournament played in our country brings with it a large number of benefits including athletes and visitors of higher quality as well as strong visibility of the Maltese Islands for everyone who follows this -sport,” claimed Minister Clayton Bartolo.
In this championship, which started in 1963, the best teams from all over Europe take part and it is the most prestigious competition of professional water polo clubs on the continent. The games include two semi-finals and two finals. ASA President Karl Izzo explained that the competing teams include Pro Recco (Italy – the reigning European champions for the third consecutive year; Novi Beograd (Serbia) – runners-up in the two previous editions; Ferencvaros (Hungary) – the 2019 champions; and Olympiacos (Greece) – two-time Champions League winners.
As part of the event, a sports village will be established at the entrance of the National Swimming Pool to improve the spectator experience. The village will open at 17:00, while the first semifinal starts at 19:00 and the second semifinal at 21:00. The third and fourth place and the final will be played on June 7 at the same times. The event will be broadcast on several international television networks and will be amplified through a strong engagement in social media, ensuring a vast European audience. Five international broadcasters have already confirmed that they will broadcast the event. Tickets are on sale from the Aquatic Sport Association website, www.asaofmalta.eu.
Due to security reasons, tickets will not be sold at the door.
‘Pixxina Nazzjonali, Tal-Qroqq, Msida
