Malta’s water polo team has competed at the Olympic Games on two occasions, first in Amsterdam in 1928 and later in Berlin in 1936. The team made its debut at the Games of the IX Olympiad in Amsterdam, where 14 nations took part in a single-elimination tournament. Malta began in the round of 16 and recorded a historic 3–1 win over Luxembourg, marking the country’s first-ever Olympic victory. Their campaign ended in the quarter-finals after a heavy 16–0 defeat to France, but Malta still finished in an impressive eighth place overall. The 1928 squad included Harry Bonavia, Meme Busietta, Victor Busietta, Louis Darmanin, Edoardo Magri, Francisco Nappa, Victor Pace, Turu Rizzo, and Roger Vella.

Eight years later, Malta returned to the Olympic stage at the 1936 Berlin Games, held at the Schwimmstadion in the Reichssportfeld. Sixteen teams competed in the tournament, which used a round-robin format in the opening round. Malta was drawn in Group B alongside Hungary, Great Britain, and Yugoslavia. Despite their best efforts, the Maltese team lost all three matches and finished last in the group, being eliminated in the opening round. The 1936 squad featured Jimmy Chetcuti, Joseph Demicoli, Jack Frendo Azzopardi, Alfred Lanzon, Babsie Podestá, Wilfred Podestá, Pippo Schembri, Sydney Scott, and Frank Wismayer.

In total, Malta’s water polo team has represented the country in two Olympic Games, leaving a proud legacy and a historic first win on the world stage.