Malta battles to the final second but falls narrowly short

2026 EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE – DIVISION B
17.07.2026, Batumi, Georgia

GEORGIA...2
MALTA...1

Malta fell to a defeat in their second match of the 2026 Euro Beach Soccer League, with hosts Georgia emerging as 2-1 winners on Friday.

Malta played well throughout the match and created chances, keeping Georgia under pressure, but the hosts eventually had enough to see out the victory.

Malta started strong, and after 2 minutes and 10 seconds, Cutajar had a shot that went just wide. 30 seconds later, Cutajar made a great save following a shot from Lomidze.

The first period ended 0-0, yet the game became more open after the break.

In the 15th minute and 10 seconds, captain Venuto was unlucky to hit the post with a shot from 20 metres.  Two minutes later, Georgia opened the scoring when Ivaniadze’s powerful shot deflected off Diakvnishvili and into the net.

With 42 seconds left in the second period, the Georgians doubled their lead from a corner. No Maltese defender cleared the ball and Chikirov forced it over the goal-line.

Malta kept the pressure on Georgia in the third period, hitting the post again through Demanuele. Bray and Cutajar also had two more chances that could have resulted in goals for Malta.

Malta were rewarded for their efforts in the dying seconds. Bray scored one of the goals of the tournament — a spectacular 10-metre bicycle kick from the left side of the goalkeeper. The goal and Malta’s overall performance earned applause from the packed arena, including Georgian supporters who recognised the great display from Malta despite the result.

Malta will play its third match of the tournament on Saturday against England, with kick-off at 16:00hrs CEST.

Georgia
Makharadze (c), Didia, Meskhi, Ivaniadze, Chikirov, Shamiladze, Partenadze, Lomidze, Shamiladze, Diakvnishvili, Sulaberidze, Kokhereidze, Kurdadze, Mamaladze
Coach - Zaur Kekelidze

Malta
Muscat, Barbara, Desira, Caruana, Agius, Venuto (c), Schembri, Camenzuli, Cutajar, Barone, Bray, Cassar, Demanuele, Falzon
Coach - Indrek Palm

Referees:
1st - Susanna Fiammetta (Italy)
2nd - Dmytro Dudka (Ukraine)
3rd - Nail Naghiyev (Azerbaijan)
Timekeeper - Roman Dzuzzov (Kazhakistan)
Coordinator - Michele Conti (Italy)