Sliema, Sirens after cup glory to save season

Sliema McDonald's and Sirens Hard Rock Cafe will be looking to make up for the upset of missing out on the league championship this summer when they meet in today's Division One KO final at Tal-Qroqq.

More was expected from Sliema and Sirens in the league but in the end the title went to Neptunes for a second year running. Sliema started the second phase as the in-form team in the championship but soon lost pace while Sirens' season in the league never really got going.

Failure to leave their mark in the league, perhaps, spurred both Sliema and Sirens to greater efforts in the cup competition, particularly the team from St Paul's Bay who eliminated Neptunes to stay on course for a second successive KO title and the seventh in the club's history.

On Thursday, Sliema produced a polished performance that saw them brushing aside the challenge of San Giljan Zara.

Igor Gocanin's Blues were in top form with Tamas Varga, Jonathan Valletta and John Soler in prolific form to leave Sliema on course for a 22nd KO success.

In Friday's semi-final, Sirens looked to have tired out in the final stages when Neptunes moved 10-9 ahead with less than two minutes to play. However, late goals from Charlie Zammit and Juergen Borg ended the Reds' dreams of a league and cup double.

Before the Sliema-Sirens clash, Marsascala 7-Up will be facing Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise in the Division Two KO final. The southseasiders have just won the championship and another victory today will make it a memorable double for Mario Zammit's team.

Today's fixtures

Division Two KO final - 5.30 p.m. Marsascala vs Ta' Xbiex.

Division One KO final - 6.45 p.m. Sliema vs Sirens.