Neptunes start title defence with double fixture

Neptunes will launch their waterpolo title defence with two matches next weekend. The draw of the 2007 leagues was made yesterday at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel, St Julians.

The Balluta Bay outfit will face Exiles Pender Gardens on Friday before taking on Marsascala Breakers the following day as all teams must contend with one double fixture during the preliminary round.

Nine clubs have registered to take part in this summer's championship which will be played on the same format as last year. All teams are again permitted to field one foreigner.

The nine participants will face each other once in the preliminary round with the top four teams in the table entering the Division One championship whereas the rest will fight out it for the Division Two title.

"We are all expecting another exciting season of excellent waterpolo," ASA president Robbie Ebejer remarked.

"In the last two years, the championship has produced some epic battles between the top teams and this year will be no exception."

Ebejer said he was pleased to see that many clubs have secured sponsorships from some high-profile companies for next season.

"The backing of these companies for local clubs is testimony to the huge interest waterpolo generates during the summer months," Ebejer remarked.

On June 29, the matches, Sliema vs San Giljan and Neptunes vs Sirens, will have double importance as not only points for the preliminary round will be at stake. Sliema and San Giljan will be vying to win the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports Trophy and Neptunes and Sirens will contest the President Cup.

The national championship will be played between June and August with a two-week pause scheduled between July 8 and July 20 when the national team competes in the European 'B' Championships in Manchester.

Malta will open its Euro campaign on July 8 when they play Belgium. The other teams in the group are Montenegro, Belarus, Turkey and Macedonia.

"We are really looking forward to our participation in the European 'B' Championships," Ebejer said. "The team has been preparing very well for this competition and I am really confident that we can obtain a good placing.

"I'm expecting a very balanced championships with all teams more or less of the same level. Montenegro are ranked as favourites, given the high standard of waterpolo in their region."

Also this summer, Anthony Farrugia's national youth selection will compete in the European Championships, to be staged in Malta in September.

After the team figured in the Winter League on a non-competitive basis, the ASA accepted Farrugia's request to give the team the opportunity to play in an international tournament as a warm-up for the championships, Ebejer said. In August, Farrugia's boys will compete in a tournament in Turkey.

Meanwhile, the ASA yesterday kept its annual appointment of honouring last season's player of the year winners.

Paul Privitera, of Sirens, received the trophy as the first division player of the year while Exiles' John Paris was presented with the division two accolade.

For Privitera, yesterday's occasion was one to savour as the ASA president announced that the Sirens player has been appointed new national team captain. He succeeds veteran goalkeeper Joe Caruana Dingli who has retired from the game, Ebejer said.

"I have been playing for the national team for the past 15 years and to be appointed captain is a massive honour," Privitera said.

"The European 'B' Championship is our biggest competition this year and I have no doubt that, with the help of my team-mates, we can make Malta proud by gaining a top placing."

Opening programme

Friday: 6 p.m. Neptunes Vodafone vs Exiles Pender Gardens; 7.15 p.m. Sirens Hard Rock Cafe vs Otters.

Saturday: 5 p.m. San Giljan vs Marsaxlokk; 6.15 p.m. Sliema vs Ta' Xbiex; 7.30 p.m. Neptunes vs Marsascala Breakers.