League champions Sliema McDonald's start their bid for a domestic double this evening when they face San Ġiljan Tropicana Juices in the first semi-final of the BOV knock-out competition.

Last weekend, the Blues received the new BOV championship trophy after having secured the league title with two matches to spare. Igor Gocanin's men will now look to add more silverware to their trophy cabinet and their first task will be to overcome San Ġiljan's challenge to reach next Sunday's final.

The Blues, who won the cup 22 times, are the holders after beating Sirens 7-5 in last year's final. This summer Sliema beat San Ġiljan three times - 14-8, 15-8 and 15-7.

The Saints go into this match buoyed by their victory over Sirens Centro Casalinga in their final league encounter last week. They will be looking to surprise Sliema and create an upset in this competition.

Sirens and Neptunes Vodafone will contest tomorrow's other semi-final with both teams looking at the KO as an ideal opportunity to put a disappointing performance in the league behind them.

Neptunes, 19 times KO competition winners, come into this match on a high following last Saturday's 9-6 victory over Sliema which denied the new champions a perfect record of 13 victories.

Coach Sergio Afric will expect his players to show the same kind of determination as they look to avenge last year's 11-10 semi-final upset to Sirens.

Programme

Today: Division One KO SF 6.45 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Sliema.

Tomorrow: Division Two KO SF 5.30 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Ta' Xbiex. Division One KO SF 6.45 p.m. Neptunes vs Sirens.

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