MWRA - Malta Waterpolo Referees Association

A great conclusion to the European Aquatics Final 8 Women’s Conference Cup tournament for our very own Massimo Angileri who officiated in all 4 days of the tournament in Athens, Greece.

On Thursday, Massimo officiated CN Tenerife Echeyde (Spain) vs Galastaray Zena (Turkey) alongside international colleague Ms. Aurely Bouchez (France) with Tenerife coming up on top 17-12.

On Friday, Mr. Angileri oversaw CN Sant Feliu (Spain) vs ZAVK Mladost (Croatia) alongside international colleague Ms.Paula Riehn (Germany) with the Spaniards comfortably seeing out the Croatians 16-4.

On Saturday, Massimo was entrusted with the second semi final between Smile Cosenza Pallanuoto (Italy) and CN Tenerife Echeyde (Spain) alongside international colleague Ms. Martina Kunikova (Slovakia) with Cosenza coming from behind and taking a firm stance in the last 2 sessions of the game and winning 13-8 over the Spaniards to advance to the final.

Today, Mr. Massimo Angileri was also entrusted to officiate the bronze medal match alongside international colleague Ms. Aurely Bouchez (France) between Panionios GSS and CN Tenerife Echeyde in a tight encounter which saw the Greek team taking control in the final few minutes of the game and winning 13-10 over CN Tenerife to claim the bronze medal of the European Aquatics Final 8 Women’s Conference Cup Tournament.

A great tournament for our very own MWRA President Mr. Massimo Angileri who was entrusted with some very tough and great games where Massimo’s consistent officiating and experience showed throughout all the games and was evident through the appointments he was granted. We congratulate Massimo on a great tournament and look forward to his upcoming appointments in the Women’s World Cup Division 2 tournament set to take place here in Malta later on in the month!

Massimo Angileri flies out to Athens,Greece to officiate in the Final 8 of the Women’s European Aquatics Challenger Cup 2025/26.

MWRA President Massimo Angileri has flown out to Athens, Greece to officiate in the Final 8 of the Women’s European Aquatics Challenger Cup 2025/26 this weekend.

Massimo will be joined by international colleagues Ms. Aurely Bouchez (France), Ms. Nikolett Sajben (Hungary), Ms. Martina Kunikova (Slovakia), Ms. Ivanka Rakovic Krstonosic (Serbia), Mr. Eurico Silva (Portugal), Ms. Paula Riehn (Germany), Ms. Marieke van den Berg (Netherlands).

Mr. Matjaz Rakovec (Slovenia), Mr. Radoslaw Koryzna (Poland) and Malta’s own female delegate Ms. Rita Azzopardi will be delegates overseeing all games taking place in the Final 8 tournament.

The 8 teams vying for the rights to claim themselves as the Women’s European Aquatics Challenger Cup 2025/26 are GALATASARAY ZENA (Turkey), CSM UNIREA ALBA IULIA (Romania), PANIONIOS GSS
(Greece), TENERIFE ECHEYDE (Spain), SMILE COSENZA PALLANUOTO (Italy), ZAVK MLADOST (Croatia), CN SANT FELIU (Spain) and NC CHANIA (Greece).

We wish Massimo all the best throughout the weekend and continue to see consistent performances in European Aquatics competitions throughout this year and European Aquatics continue to appoint Massimo to officiate at the highest of both Men’s and Women’s competitions.

Last weekend, our very own Massimo Angileri flew out to Berlin, Germany to officiate in Match Day 5 of the European Aquatics Women’s Champions League 2025/26 season.

Massimo officiated on Saturday in Group C between Spandau 04 (Germany) and Vouliagmeni AC (Greece) alongside international colleague Ms. Marieke van der Berg (Netherlands).

In comfortable fashion, Vouliagmeni overcame the hosts Spandau 04 19-6 with the Greeks taking control of the game from the very first session and never looking back.

We congratulate Mr. Massimo Angileri on another appointment in the European Aquatics Women’s Champions League with this being his 5th European appointment of the season and continuously showing his consistent officiating throughout European Aquatics competitions this season! We wish Massimo continued consistent officiating in European and Maltese matches and more appointments in the European scene.

About a week ago, our very own Alex De Raffaele flew out to Istanbul, Turkey to officiate in Group C of the European Aquatics Challenger Cup Qualification Round II Men 2025/26 Group C.

Alex officiated two matches with the first one on Friday 13th February between Enka Sport Club and Carouge Natation alongside international referee Tevz Suhadolnik (Slovenia) with Enka overcoming Carouge 20-7.

The next day was a rest day with Galatasaray SK also overcoming Carouge Natation 28-4.

In the last group game on Sunday 15th February between Enka Sport Club and Galatasaray SK, a battle for first place in the group, Alex officiated alongside international referee Luis Santos (Portugal) in a fierce encounter of two Turkish Giants with a couple of hundreds of supporters to watch a big Turkish derby.

In a back and forth contest, with the match undecided until the very last minute, Enka Sport Club overcame their Turkish counterparts Galatasaray SK 15-14 which saw a lot of action and both Mr.De Raffaele and Mr.Santos having to be at their very best. Mr. Nerjius Papaurelus served as the delegate for all 3 matches in this qualification II Group C of the Challenger Cup.

Galatasaray have qualified for the final 8 and have been drawn in the same group alongside Heybeliada ASC as well as two of Malta’s local teams Sliema ASC and San Giljan ASC in a quest for two of the teams in the group to qualify for the semi finals.

We congratulate Mr. De Raffaele on a great weekend and continue to demonstrate consistent officiating throughout the rest of the Maltese and European season.

Results from Match Day 1 of the ASA U/20 League at Neptunes Pitch:

Sliema 21-9 Birzebbuga

Referees: Debbie Tully / Stefan Licari

Neptunes 13-9 San Giljan

Referees: Stefan Licari / Neville Mercieca

A busy week for Massimo Angileri at the European Aquatics Women’s Waterpolo European Championships 2026 in Funchal, Portugal.

On Monday, Massimo officiated the opening game of the European Championships alongside international colleague Ms. Ivanka Rakovic Krstonosic, Switzerland vs Israel with the Israeli Women’s team comfortably overcoming the Swiss 24-9.

On Tuesday, Mr. Angileri was again appointed to another game, this time Italy vs Serbia with international colleague Mr. Mihnea Alexandrescu with the Italians overcoming the Serbs 17-6.

On Thursday, Massimo first served as the VAR Referee for the Greece vs Germany game with the Greeks comfortably defeating the Germans 26-5.

Later on in the evening, Mr. Angileri officiated Switzerland against Great Britain alongside Ms. Alessia Ferrari with the British Team overcoming the Swiss 18-6.

The groups have now split according to placings within the groups. We are sure Massimo will continue his consistent officiating throughout all the games and wish him continued success in these European Championships!

Result from Match Day 2 of the ASA Women’s Winter League at the National Pool Complex:

Sliema 12-18 San Giljan

Referees: Juana Cauchi / Stefan Licari
Goaljudges: Debbie Tully / Luke Galea

Results from Match Day 2 of the start of the new ASA Winter League 2026 season (Premier Promotion Games) at the National Pool Complex:

Otters 3-19 Valletta

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri / Luke Galea
Goaljudges: Stefan Licari / Neville Mercieca

Birzebbuga 18-14 Exiles

Referees: Stefan Licari / Neville Mercieca
Goaljudges: Debbie Tully / Luke Galea

Results from Match Day 1 of the start of the new ASA Winter League 2026 season (Premier Promotion Games) at the National Pool Complex:

Birzebbuga 23-8 Otters

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri / Stefan Licari
Goaljudges: Alex De Raffaele / Neville Mercieca

Valletta 14-16* Exiles

Referees: Alex De Raffaele / Neville Mercieca
Goaljudges: Debbie Tully / Luke Galea

Results from Match Day 6 of the ASA U/16 League at Cottonera Sports Complex:

Marsaxlokk 6-17 Exiles

Referees: Stefan Licari / Debbie Tully

Sirens 12-27 Otters

Referees: Juana Cauchi / Ronnie Spiteri

Sliema 9-10 Neptunes

Referees: Juana Cauchi / Neville Mercieca

Birzebbuga 9-25 San Giljan

Referees: Alex De Raffaele / Luke Galea

Result from another game of the ASA U/18 League at Sirens Pitch:

San Giljan 16-8 Exiles

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri / Stefan Licari