San Marino and Malta shine at SCA U18 Women’s Championship

San Marino and Malta maintained their immaculate record at the CEV SCA U18 Women’s Championship after completion of pool play, with Ireland and Northern Ireland securing the remaining spots in the semis. 

In the opening match of Day 2, San Marino secured their second consecutive victory, defeating Scotland 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-14). This win confirms San Marino’s position as group winners and guarantees their place in Saturday’s semi-finals. San Marino controlled the match from the outset, setting the tempo and maintaining dominance throughout. Captain Giorgia Guerra was instrumental in this performance, delivering aggressive middle attacks that consistently challenged Scotland’s defence. Her leadership and offensive prowess at the net were key factors in San Marino’s commanding win.

In the second match of the day, hosts Malta faced off against a young and determined Monaco side. Despite a spirited effort from the visitors, Malta secured a convincing 3-0 victory. The win allowed Maltese head coach Pavle Drecun to rotate his full roster, giving valuable court time to the entire squad in a well-rounded team performance.

In the third and final pool match of the day, Scotland took on Northern Ireland in a high-stakes, winner-takes-all showdown. With both teams level on points heading into the game, the prize on the line was clear: a place in the semi-finals against hosts Malta - and a shot at the championship title. The match lived up to its billing, unfolding as a tense and tightly contested battle. Both sides matched each other point for point, with neither able to pull away for long stretches. Long rallies, gritty defence, and composed attacking defined the encounter, reflecting the intensity and importance of the occasion. In what proved to be a true test of nerves and resilience, the match remained on a knife’s edge throughout, with the outcome in doubt until the final moments. The energy on court and from the sidelines made for a gripping spectacle, as both teams left everything on the floor in pursuit of their semifinal dream, with Northern Ireland eventually prevailing 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22).