Malta suffers narrow defeat to Norway in five-goal thriller

2026 EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE – DIVISION B
16.07.2026, Batumi, Georgia

MALTA…2
NORWAY…3

The Malta Beach Soccer National Team lost its opening match of the 2026 Euro Beach Soccer League in a close encounter against Norway in Georgia.

Malta battled hard throughout the entire match, coming from three goals down to almost draw level.

The Norwegians opened the scoring after 2"05 of the game with a Hellebust goal. 40 seconds later, they doubled their scoring with Risanger finding the back of the net with a shot from close range.

In the second period, Malta came out firing, and there were a couple of shots from Venuto and Demanuele that both hit the post.

Norway attacked once more and managed to make it 3-0 with a spectacular goal scored at 12"17 minutes by Hellebust.

Malta regrouped and showed real confidence in their play in the second half, and they managed to pull a goal back in the 22nd minute through a penalty scored by Andre Joe Cutajar after a foul in the nine-metre area committed by Gaare on Caruana.

Malta created plenty of chances and tested the Norwegian goalkeeper with shots from different areas of the pitch, but the Norwegian shot stopper was in outstanding form and made a number of vital blocks.

Malta’s second goal was scored in the third period, with Brandon Lee Bray converting a direct free-kick in the 35th minute.

Coach Indrek Palm’s side pressed on in search of an equaliser, hitting the post again and having some big chances late on, but they could not find the crucial leveller.

Malta will play its second match of the tournament on Friday 17th July against hosts Georgia, with kick-off at 19:00hrs CEST.

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

Norway
Brekken, Gaare, Risanger, Paulos, Haga, Hellebust, Li, Haaland (c), Buland, Dyngeland, Skotty.
Coach: Rune Kandal

Referees:
1st - Andrei Karhu (Estonia)
2nd- Susanna Fiammetta (Italy)
3rd - Nail Naghiyev (Azerbaijan)
Timekeeper - Ago Kartmann (Estonia)
Coordinator - Michele Conti (Italy)