The final lap of the 2005 waterpolo season starts this evening when newly-crowned league champions 2X Sirens square up to Neptunes Vodafone in the first semi-final of the Wilkinson Sword Division One Knock-Out at the National Pool.
The winners of this match will have to wait for the outcome of tomorrow's second semi-final, between Sliema Burger King and Marsascala Breakers, to discover their opponents in Sunday's final that will bring the curtains down on what has been an exciting waterpolo campaign.
On a high after being crowned Malta champions last Saturday, Sirens' sights are firmly set on making it a memorable season by clinching the double. Ironically, their opponents this evening are Neptunes Vodafone, the team who played a crucial part in the coronation of Sirens as champions by defeating Sliema who were the only side with a mathematical chance of forcing a decider for the title.
Last Saturday, the clans of Sirens and Neptunes both rejoiced at the final whistle but today, there will certainly be no room for sympathy as the two teams seek to stay on course for the last domestic honour for this season.
Their spirits raised by their final day 12-11 success over Sliema, Neptunes, guided by Croatian coach Sergio Afric, will be hellbent on making amends for their umpteenth failure to win the league by claiming the KO title. The Balluta Bay team will also be looking to avenge their heartbreaking 8-7 semi-final defeat to Sirens last season. Sirens went on to collect their sixth KO success after overcoming Sliema 11-7 in the final.
A glance at their head-to-head record shows that Sirens enjoy an edge over Neptunes this season. John Farrugia's men were beaten 8-7 by Neptunes in the Preliminary round but they have turned the balance in their favour by winning the two Division One matches, 10-7 and 8-6.
On their part, Sliema fans will be hoping for a bold response from their team in their semi-final match against Marsascala tomorrow.
The KO is now Sliema's only chance to atone for their disappointment of relinquishing their status as Malta champions for the first time in five years.
This semi-final match also gives Sliema the opportunity to gain their first victory against the unpredictable Marsascala who emerged on tops in the two Division One matches, 4-2 and 6-5, against them this season after the preliminary round game had ended 6-6.
Last season, Sliema ousted Marsascala 6-3 in the Division One KO semi-finals.
Semi-finals - Today, 6.30 p.m. Neptunes vs Sirens; Tomorrow, 6.30 p.m. Marsascala vs Sliema.
Final - Sunday at 6.30 p.m.