From Underdogs To Trophy Division: Malta Rugby 7s Team Earns Historic Promotion
History has been made by the Malta Men’s Rugby Sevens National Team by earning a promotion to the Rugby Europe Sevens Trophy Division.
“This is an incredible achievement for our team,” said Malta Rugby Football Union President, Robert Portelli. “Over the past three years, we have worked tirelessly to grow our player base and develop
depth in our 7s squad. Promotion to the Trophy Division validates this effort. It also complements the success of our 15s team, who topped their group for the second consecutive season, narrowly missing out on promotion. I believe both our 7s and 15s sides belong in the Trophy division, and this result proves we’re on the right path.”
Team Malta entered the tournament ranked lowest in their pool as they began their campaign on 21st June with a narrow loss 24-17 loss against Serbia. The team bounced back in style with a commanding 27-10 victory over Finland.
They closed the pool stage with a thrilling 27–21 win over Austria, a game that highlighted the Maltese side’s technical prowess, grit, and determination.
Team Malta secured second place in their group and earned a place in the semi-finals where they faced Andorra. With Andorra having defeated Malta just three weeks ago during the GSSE, the hosts faced this encounter with confidence. However, Malta delivered a tactical masterclass in front of the home crowd, outplaying their opponents and securing the promotion to the Trophy Division.
Though bruised and physically taxed, Malta went on to contest the tournament final against Monaco—GSSE gold medalists and clear favourites. Despite a courageous performance, Malta fell short, but their runner-up finish cemented their rise in European rugby ranks.
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In parallel, Malta also participated in the Women’s 7s Conference division. While the team faced tough challenges from all teams, there were bright spots as the women’s squad secured three wins against Bulgaria, Estonia, and Lithuania.
“We recognise that there’s still work to be done on the women’s side,” added Portelli. “But we’re encouraged by the promising performances from our younger players and proud of the commitment shown by the entire squad. Every player gave their all on the pitch. Securing three wins is a strong step forward and gives us a solid foundation to build on.”
This weekend’s results reflect the resilience, progress, and growing depth of Maltese rugby across both the men’s and women’s formats. With continued investment and development, the Malta Rugby Football Union remains committed to raising the standard and visibility of the sport across the islands and beyond.
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