Top teams aim for place in final

Four days after their stunning title triumph, Sliema return to the pool today aiming to make another bold step towards landing the double.

This evening at 6.15, the Maltese champions take on Marsascala in the first semi-final of the Knock-Out, the last competition of the domestic waterpolo season.

On the back of their powerful performance on Sunday when they held off the challenge of rivals Neptunes 6-4 to secure their 29th title, Sliema start as favourites to reach Sunday's final.

Led by the evergreen Sergio Afric, the Blues look to possess too much ammunition for the southerners, 8-4 losers to Sirens in their last league outing, but they should be aware that overconfidence can play dirty tricks, especially in do-or-die ties.

After their disappointing fourth place in the league, Marsascala, under the charge of national coach Pierre Borg, will be conscious that the Knock-Out represents their last shot at success this season.

The winner of today's semi-final will meet either Neptunes or Sirens in the final. A competitive match is forecast tomorrow between Neptunes and Sirens, two sides itching to make amends for their failure to wrestle the league title from Sliema.

That wound is likely to run deeper at Neptunes who sat on pole of the Division One table for most of the summer league only to crack in the business end of the campaign.

Their 6-4 loss to Sliema in Sunday's title showdown led the Balluta Bay club to part company with former national coach Dirk Dowling who has been replaced by his assistant Karl Izzo.

Izzo will surely have focused his energies on lifting his players' ailing morale before Neptunes start the defence of the KO title.

Sirens, third in Division One, also went through a coaching change during the season, handing the reins to club stalwart John Farrugia after they ended their association with Joe Attard.

Without a major success in the last three years, Sirens are also expected to give their all to end the season on a high note.

Playing today - Division Two KO 5.15 p.m.Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise vs Otters; Division One KO 6.15 p.m. Sliema Burger King vs Marsascala Breakers.

Playing tomorrow - Division Two KO 5.15 p.m. San Giljan vs Exiles; Division One KO 6.15 Neptunes Vodafone vs Go Mobile Sirens.