Sliema BS and Ħamrun SC both beaten on European beach soccer opening

Malta's two representatives at European beach soccer competitions in Nazaré, Portugal both came away from their opening fixtures without a point — Sliema BS on the wrong end of a heavy defeat in the Euro Winners Cup, Ħamrun SC beaten by a single goal in the tighter Euro Winners Challenge. Sliema BS, the Maltese national champions, lost 7-3 to German club Bavaria Beach Bazis.

Matthew Schembri and Jake Agius got Sliema on the scoresheet, and a Leemann own goal completed the Maltese tally. Knöpfli contributed a brace for Bavaria as the German side ran out four-goal winners. Ħamrun SC's match was a different story.

Italian side Naxos BS took the lead through Caltabiano in the fifth minute, and that advantage held into the second period before Edinho pulled Ħamrun level. Caltabiano restored the Italian lead at 2-1, only for Winters to equalise again. It was Villani who settled it, scoring what proved to be the winner as Naxos claimed a 3-2 victory.

Both clubs return to action on 11 June 2026. Sliema BS face Finland's BSC Hobby at 10:15am, while Ħamrun SC meet France's Mouilleron SF in a fifth-place classification match at 6:00pm.