Malta Ready To Welcome 18 Nations At European Team Shield Championships 2026
The Royal Malta Golf Club will host the 2026 European Team Shield Championships between the 29th of July and the 1st of August, a prestigious tournament organised by the European Golf Association (EGA).
Established in 2016, the championship provides smaller and emerging golfing nations across Europe with the opportunity to compete at international level while promoting the continued development of the sport.
Addressing a press conference held last weekend, Malta Golf Association President William Beck outlined the programme for the five-day event. Malta will be represented in both the men's and women's competitions.
The men's team will be captained by Ruud Critien, who will also compete alongside Andrew Borg, Oliver Davis and JJ Micallef Verlest. The team will be coached by Nicholas Zaher, assisted by Andreas Schwab.
The women's team will feature Eliana Buhagiar, Laya Cristina, Serena Falzon Sant Manduca and Filipps Schulze Doering, under the captaincy of Noah Gratil.
A total of 18 nations, 96 players, together with their coaches and delegates, will take part in what is expected to be one of the largest international golf events ever hosted in Malta. Beyond showcasing golf of the highest standard, the championship is also set to further strengthen Malta's reputation as a leading destination for sports tourism and the organisation of major international sporting events.
SportMalta Chairman Matthew Pisani highlighted the continued growth of golf in Malta, noting that one of SportMalta's key objectives is to encourage greater participation in physical activity while continuing to provide financial support to national sports associations. He said that Malta's selection as host of the 12th edition of the championship reflects the country's proven ability to successfully organise major international sporting events.
Speaking on behalf of SportMalta, Mark Cutajar emphasised that the Government's strategy continues to place strong importance on high-quality sports tourism. He explained that SportMalta's Events Department works closely with national sports associations to attract more international competitions to Malta, helping to raise sporting standards while generating economic and tourism benefits for the country.
Marsa Sports Club Chairman Godwin Borg said the club continues to invest in its facilities, which now cater for several sports including golf, tennis, padel, squash and cricket. He wished the Malta Golf Association every success in staging the championship.
Meanwhile, Royal Malta Golf Club Vice Chairman Victor Satariano explained that extensive work has been carried out on the course in recent years, particularly on the USGA-standard greens, to ensure they meet the requirements for top-level international competition.
He noted that the club's committee works on a voluntary basis to continually improve the facilities and expressed confidence that the championship will serve as an important showcase for both the club and Malta.
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