Spartans clinch final berth as first phase ends with a bang

The 2007/08 Championship Pool line-up was completed on Monday night when Hamrun Spartans grabbed the final spot after a gutsy performance saw them through against Hibernians.

The match finished one-all but the point was enough for the Spartans to secure sixth place in the standings at the end of the first phase of the Premier League.

At the final whistle, there were contrasting scenes at the National Stadium. While the Spartans were ecstatic at having achieved their pre-season objective in such dramatic fashion, the Paolites headed dejectedly to the dressing rooms, facing the harsh reality that they will have to play in the Relegation Pool for the first time since the format was introduced in 1999.

The controversial Premier League pattern has always been subjected to criticism ever since its introduction. Many contend that it is not fair on teams to have their points halved at this stage of the season. The MFA held its stance though and reiterated that the format helps to keep the interest alive for most of the campaign.

Given the equilibrium that exists between the top contenders this season that reasoning seems to hold water more than ever before. There is little to separate the teams in the Championship Pool and it was only in the last few weeks that front-runners Valletta, Marsaxlokk and Sliema Wanderers had actually secured their berth mathematically.

In fact, the last two slots were decided on the very last day of the second round with Birkirkara, Hamrun Spartans and Hibernians still struggling to make the cut.

In the end, the Stripes got the point needed after a 1-1 draw against Floriana but Hamrun and Hibs met in a 'decider' with the Paolites requiring a win at all costs to leapfrog the Spartans in the standings.

The match in itself turned out to be a cracker with Hibs on the offensive right from the start and the Spartans defending cautiously throughout.

Hamrun goalkeeper Sean Sullivan took centre-stage with a string of excellent saves. When Branko Timotic put the Spartans ahead on 63 minutes many thought it was all over for Hibs.

But, that was not the case as Robert Gatt's men fought back. Their efforts were rewarded with an Adrian Mifsud equaliser but his goal was not enough as the valiant Spartans showed great determination and heart to hold on to the draw and a passage to the 'Promised Land'.

"The players deserve all credit for their extraordinary effort," Hamrun coach Marco Gerada told The Times yesterday.

"Having just won promotion few people gave us a chance at the start of the season. However, we worked hard to reach our objective and I'm pleased with the players' efforts.

"Against Hibs we knew that we were in for a tough time. It was a do-or-die situation for both teams. During the week I told the players that we had to stay focused all the way and that each member in the squad had to play his part.

"Our players followed the pre-match tactical instructions... they did it almost perfectly. We battled hard and even though Hibs played a great match, I think that on the basis of our overall showing so far we fully deserve to be in the Championship Pool."

Comeback victory

The previous three weeks had been anything but easy for the Hamrun coach.

Three successive defeats against Msida St Joseph, Valletta and Birkirkara had raised fears that the Spartans were on the verge of collapse. However, their comeback victory over Floriana the week before had infused some tranquility in the clan. Gerada admitted that win made all the difference in the end.

"The past month or so was anything but rosy for us," Gerada said.

"The upset to Msida brought about a substantial amount of tension and that was clearly taking its toll. The team was committing uncharacteristic mistakes, all the result of the extra pressure we had on our shoulders.

"The victory over Floriana was the tonic we needed and that helped us to look at our final fixture against Hibs with a better perspective. It was important that we took to this match in a serene mood and that showed in the way we played as the players looked confident in all situations."

With the club's main objective reached, Gerada said the Spartans' next target was to try and win as many points as possible.

"We have no intention of resting on our laurels now," he declared.

"We will prepare for our next 10 matches with the same intensity and concentration of the past few months. Our objective is to try and pick up as many points as possible as we want to finish in the highest place possible.

"There are only a few points separating the teams at the moment so there is a real possibility of finishing in the top four.

"Besides, I want to have a look at a few youngsters who are on the verge of first-team football. We have players like Lee James Agius, Christopher Cacciatolo, Dalton Caruana, Julian Mallia and Mauro Busuttil who look promising. They will have to be patient but they'll will get their chance no worry about that."

Hamrun are one of the six teams who applied for a place in the Intertoto Cup. The others are Valletta, Marsaxlokk, Floriana, Birkirkara and Hibs. The Spartans are hoping to qualify for the early-summer UEFA competition that will be played for the last time this year.

"Qualifying for the Intertoto Cup would be an ideal way to finish the season," Gerada said.

"Some might deride this competition but I think it will be a useful learning curve for most players in the squad and we will give it our best shot. We are now harbouring dreams of playing in a European competition.

"The chances are there and the players are confident that we can really do it."