12th May, 2003

Historic League Victory for Female's Youth Team.

Malta University Handball Club's 1st ever league

Over 6 months ago, a new team started to take shape in the handball scene. New faces started to show up at the training site and finally a female team was formed once again. Then upon the decision of the Malta Handball Association to organise a female youth league, a number of players were chosen to take part.

The first aims of the team were to gain some experience as it was evident that the team needed the latter more than anything. But on there debut match on the Youth league they lost out to Kavallieri by a mere two goal difference. A small margin compared to other previous results. The match wasn't the usual swift-and-speed game but it boosted the moral of the team as they showed great signs of improvement. In the first half they trail by three goals to one. Determination was a great factor in this game and after levelling the scores to 4 goals each, Kavallieri marched on to win the match.

This result did not dishearten the young University side. On the contrary, the team started to gain confidence and were looking forward to there next encounter which was once more against Kavallieri. On the 22nd of February the team obtained their first official victory winning the encounter by 9 goals to 10. As the result indicates it was a very balanced encounter and it could have gone either way. By half time Kavallieri where leading by 5 goals to 4. But during the second period, the University side turned out more determined and went ahead. Kavallieri once more drew level but this time it wasn't to be their game as Stephan Vancell's side won the game in the dying seconds of the match.

With the victory against Kavallieri a ray of hope of winning the league started to rise. The University side trailed Kavallieri by 3 points but with a game against Aloysians in hand. On the 1st of March the team played against the la tter and turned out victorious with a single goal. The University side had the better start as they went up to a 4-2 advantage which was further increased to 7-4 by the end of the first period. But pressure rose and the game started to slip from their hands, their three goals lead started went down to one as the Aloysians side tried to get a point from the game. But this wasn't to be so as the defence held out against the opponents and several sighs of relief were taken as the final whistle was blown.

So it was all down to the last encounter once again against Aloysians. The University side was level on 6 points with Kavallieri and there final opponents trailed behind on three points. Both sides were in search for victory but in an exiting second period the University side won with 10 goals to 7. In the first half the game was won in defence as they held out against the attacks made by the opponents. Through some fast changes of speed the University side closed the first half with a minor 3-2 advantage. But in the second period the team turned more determined then ever to secure the victory. Through a solid defence and some fine play in attack the lead was increased momentarily to 5 goals. This was then reduced to three goals to the frustration of the opponents as they failed to penetrate the defence. In the end, the game finished 10-7 in favour of the University side. This result sealed the title victory to the great joy of the team and the numerous crowds there.

Throughout the whole season the University side showed great signs of improvement. From game to game the team started to gain confidence and with the leadership of coach Stephan Vancell, the help of the sponsors Versal Enterprises, BOV Club, PrintOn Screen Printing and Bonaci Restaurant the team moved forward to acquire for the MUHC their first ever league victory.