Buzzing champs look to produce rousing finale

The wait is over. Seven years after celebrating their club's record-breaking six-trophy haul in their own inimitable way, the Valletta faithful will again steal the limelight this evening amid high expectations of a colourful fiesta at the National Stadium to mark the Citizens' Premier League success.

Valletta fans have been in party mood since the first Sunday of this month as their team made sure of winning the title with three matches to spare. There have been several occasions this season when the City supporters' enthusiasm translated itself into an electric atmosphere, especially during their last match against rivals Floriana that was played a day after Valletta were confirmed as champions.

Yet, the climax of their celebrations will be reached today when the Whites will be presented with the BOV Premier League trophy at the end of their match with Marsaxlokk, the outgoing champions (kick-off 6 p.m.)

Although the outcome of today's match will have no effect on the destination of the Premier League crown, Valletta will doubtless do their utmost to deliver a winning finale to their title campaign but that will not be easy.

Dethroned as champions after only one year, Marsaxlokk face the grim prospect of missing out on qualification to the UEFA Cup if they fail to take maximum points from today's match. The Blues are third in the standings, two points adrift of second place, currently shared by Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara who both won their final league commitments this week.

The race for the runners-up spot hinges on the result of today's closing league match but Paul Zammit is not unduly concerned by this. The one and only priority for the City coach is to steer his team to a positive result and end their successful league campaign on a high.

"From our point-of-view, this match is important for two main reasons; firstly, we are keen on giving ourselves and the fans a gift in the shape of a positive result in our final league match and secondly, we will be looking to boost our preparations for Tuesday's FA Trophy semi-final against Birkirkara," Zammit told The Times.

Zammit is under no illusion about the difficulty of today's match.

"I've said many times that Marsaxlokk have some of the country's best players in their ranks," the City coach commented.

"That Marsaxlokk were, for a long time, our main challengers for the title didn't surprise me. They are coming into this match needing to win to secure European qualification and for them, this is their final chance."

The euphoria among the City fans after Valletta secured their 19th league title has left a huge impression on Zammit who is savouring the first major title in his fledgling coaching career.

"It's hard to put feelings into words but it's like the players and I are living a dream," Zammit observed. "The vibes are very positive and the fans have been preparing in earnest for what promises to be a great celebration party. The place is buzzing but in these circumstances, there's a risk that the players get distracted and lose their concentration.

"I've told the players that come Saturday, we all deserve to have a good time because it's been a long campaign and we've all worked extremely hard to reach our target. However, our season is not over yet and that means that we cannot afford to relax and become complacent."

Frank Temile, who is close to agreeing to a new five-year contract with the Citizens, is back in the frame after seeing out his one-match ban in the 1-0 defeat to Sliema but his participation in today's game is not certain.

The talented Nigerian is still struggling to shake off the knocks he picked up during the 2-0 victory over Floriana in which Temile was red-carded for retaliation on the brink of half-time.

Marsaxlokk also have a few selection problems as Cleaven Frendo is unavailable and defender Shaun Tellus is unfit. Gareth Sciberras has been sidelined with an eye injury for the past few months but the Malta midfielder is hopeful of returning to full training next month.

Faced with a must-win scenario to leapfrog Birkirkara and Sliema into second place, the Blues must also cope with the added burden of taking on a Valletta team who will be celebrating their title success but coach Brian Talbot is undaunted by the challenge.

"We're looking forward to the game," Talbot said.

"We're playing Valletta, the champions who have done exceptionally well this season. This match will decide whether we go in the UEFA Cup or Intertoto.

"Our aim is to finish as high in the table as possible but whatever happens, I think Marsaxlokk have had a positive season. Before December, many were saying that Marsaxlokk will be in the Relegation Pool but we've recovered. Slowly but surely, we've turned it around."

On the eve of his team's final match of the season, Talbot recalled the difficulties that undermined Marsaxlokk last summer.

"We lost eight players after winning the league and played in Europe with no strikers," he said.

"Since January, we've had Julio Alcorse and Aleksandar Madzar and had these players joined us in the summer, I think the outcome of the league would have been different. Marsaxlokk certainly didn't start on an even keel with the likes of Valletta and Sliema Wanderers because our squad was nowhere near as big as theirs."

Narrowing his focus to this evening's match, Talbot said: "Valletta will be celebrating and all credit to them for winning the league. However, we've got our own ambition and desire. I'm pleased for Paul Zammit that he's won the league but we've got to do what's best for Marsaxlokk."

Results so far: Valletta vs Marsaxlokk 7-0, 1-1, 2-1.

Division One KO SF draw: Tarxien Rainbows vs Vittoriosa Stars; Dingli Swallows vs Mosta. Dates and venues will be announced at a later date.