Glamour enhanced by pique between finalists

The intense pique between Hibernians and Birkirkara will be rekindled today when the two Premier League sides lock horns in the final of the Super Five Cup at the Centenary Stadium.

These two teams were involved in some keen clashes last season, particularly in the Trophy semi-final and the final of the Super Cup.

In the stands, the antagonism between the fans of these two clubs was reflected in the exchange of verbal taunts as well as the teasing content of messages sprayed across placards.

Although the Super Five Cup may not carry the same prestige as the Trophy, those teams that make it to the final will nonetheless be expected to give their all to clinch the honour. Moreso, if those clubs happen to be Hibernians, who are still looking for their first success in the Super Five Cup, and Birkirkara, determined as ever to confirm their emergence as one of the top sides in Maltese football by winning more honours.

Birkirkara's determination is exemplified by William Camenzuli, the versatile midfielder whose powerful performances last season helped his team win the Trophy and Super Cup.

"It's a final and we want to win it," Camenzuli told The Times yesterday.

"Our performances may have failed to live up to expectations in some recent league games but our flowing display in the Super Five Cup semi-final against Sliema Wanderers showed one and sundry that we can play good football.

"I firmly believe that if we maintain the momentum reached in our previous match against Sliema, we will beat Hibs in the final," Camenzuli said.

Birkirkara earned the right to contest this evening's final after seeing off the Wanderers 3-1 on penalties. The score at the end of the regular 90 minutes was tied at 0-0.

Hibernians also took the same route to the final, defeating Valletta 8-7 at the end of a penalty marathon after the game had finished 2-2.

The Paolites will be heartened by their exhilarating performance in the 3-0 defeat of Birkirkara a few weeks ago in the Premier League.

On the other hand, Birkirkara will derive confidence from their victories against Hibernians in last season's Trophy semi-final and Super Cup final.

"Victory in this competition would provide a psychological boost. The fact that we are facing Hibernians in the final also adds to its glamour. We have an excellent record against them in knock-out competitions, having beaten Hibs in two main competitions last season.

"Meeting them in this final gives us added motivation to maintain our positive sequence against them in KO contests," Camenzuli added.

The fact that Birkirkara will spend the day together attests to the importance they are attaching to this evening's final. Stephen Azzopardi, the Birkirkara coach, is expected to supervise a light training session this morning at the Centenary Stadium before the Stripes contingent will have lunch together at a local hotel.

Azzopardi cannot field the same formation that had the better of Sliema due to the injury sustained by right-back Clint Micallef.

Micallef is likely to be sidelined for a month. Lino Galea is struggling to shake off a groin injury while Antoine Zahra and Matthew Calascione are definitely ruled out of the match.

Defender Michael Spiteri will make the 18-man squad but is unlikely to play. Goalkeeper Reuben Debono is also available for selection after recovering from injury.

Hibernians coach Robert Gatt opted to rest some of his most established players in Friday's clash against Valletta but it remains to be seen whether he will stick with that policy today.

Gatt confirmed to The Times that all of his key players, including strikers Ndubisi Chukunyere and Adrian Mifsud and international goalkeeper Mario Muscat, are available for play but he would not reveal whether he intends to use them or not.

Young striker Terence Scerri is expected to retain his place after he scored Hibs' two goals against Valletta.

Defender Wilfred Spiteri is ruled out, however, by suspension after he saw red against Valletta.

Adrian Mifsud is relishing the prospect of helping Hibs win the Super Five Cup for the first time.

"It's a competition that we have never won... that will certainly bolster our determination to win this match.

"Moreover, we have shown in the past weeks that Hibs are back to their best and a final against Birkirkara gives us an ideal chance to confirm our resurgence," Mifsud said.