Aquilina and Borg Bonaci win international events in Malta

The Malta Table Football Sports Association (MTFSA) recently organised the world federation's International Open and Grand Prix at the Savio College, Dingli.

Thirty-three players representing four countries took part, including Eric Verhagen, of Holland (world no.4), England's Phil Redman (world no.7) and a number of highly-ranked Italians. Malta's top seeds were Joseph Mifsud (no. 44) and Hansel Mallia (no. 49).

The Gasan Mamo International Open was won by Joseph Borg Bonaci. In the final, he defeated Verhagen by the odd goal in three after extra-time.

Besides the Open and Grand Prix, the organisers also held other tournaments for U-15s, U-19s, veterans and club competitions. The U-15 final was contested between Andre Grima and Clint Abela Wadge.

Grima, in his first tournament experience, won a closely-fought match 2-1.

In the U-19 competition, favourite Samuel Bartolo, who plays in the National Premier League, confirmed expectations after beating Patrick Psaila with a clear 3-0 score in the final.

There were no surprises in the veterans category even though former Malta champion Patrick Pace was made to work hard for a narrow 2-1 'Golden Goal' win over Tony Sapiano.

Charles Aquilina, winner of two tournaments in the last six months, confirmed his excellent form by defeating Verhagen 2-1 in the Grand Prix final.

Aquilina, a semi-finalist in the International Open the day before, is now expected to shoot up in the world rankings. Indeed, the good results this local player achieved during the weekend of international competition should increase to five the number of Maltese players in the top 50.

Hamrun spring surprise

Firm favourites in the competition for clubs were Zabbar SC and the visiting English Premier League (EPL). However, outsiders Hamrun TFC battled against the odds and eliminated EPL in the semi-finals. The most eye-catching result here was Ilai Zammit Marmara's 4-1 win over Verhagen.

In the final, Hamrun TFC, composed of Pace, Zammit Marmara, Kenneth Attard, Mario Camilleri and Mark Zammit, played with great confidence to lower Zabbar's colours.

Pace beat Grand Prix winner Aquilina 1-0 and Attard beat Adrian Bonnici with the same marginal scoreline.