Three teams eye early boost

No City deals for Bito, KantelbergThe third and final round of matches from the 2009 Euro Cup will be played tonight with three teams in contention to win this pre-season tournament.

Hibs and Sliema Wanderers are top of the standings, level on four points from two matches, with Valletta a point adrift. After going down 2-0 to Hibs in their opening match, the Citizens revived their chances with a 2-0 win over Birkirkara who are out of the reckoning after losing their first two matches.

Sliema, who defeated Birkirkara 1-0 on Monday, and Hibs are unbeaten in this competition after their direct encounter on Wednesday finished one-all.

Hibs will win the Euro Cup if they beat Birkirkara in today's second game and Sliema lose or draw against Valletta. A win for Sliema coupled with a loss for Hibs would hand the trophy to the Wanderers.

As far as the Citizens are concerned, they can only claim top spot if they overcome Sliema and Birkirkara win or draw against Hibs.

In the event that Sliema and Hibs win their matches or both draw, goal difference will be taken into account to determine the winner. If their goal difference is the same, the team with the best scoring record will win the cup but if parity prevails, the winner will be decided by a draw.

Valletta will fancy their chances of toppling Sliema after their improved showing against Birkirkara in midweek.

Leon Kantelberg netted Valletta's two goals on Wednesday but that was his last appearance for the team after the Citizens decided against offering him a contract.

Contacted by The Times yesterday, Nicky Saliba, Valletta's team manager, confirmed that Kantelberg and Sendley Bito, who cut a good figure in the opening match against Hibs, will not be retained.

It looks like Valletta have now resolved to keep Doding Priso, and want to sign a penalty-box striker.

Coach Ton Caanen has already inquired about the availability of five Dutch forwards but his main target is believed to be Geert den Ouden who played for De Graafschap last season.

Caanen was in Iceland last night to run the rule over Keflavik, Valletta's Europa League opponents, but he's expected back this afternoon.

Sliema are keen to win the Euro Cup to nurture the upbeat mood in their clan following their FA Trophy success at the end of last month.

Coach Stephen Azzopardi is hopeful of receiving the all-clear to field one of the Serbian players who have been training with the Blues on a trial basis. Mark Scerri and Beppe Muscat are unavailable for Sliema as they are with the Malta U-20 squad at the Mediterranean Games. The same goes for Birkirkara youngster Rowen Muscat.

Paul Zammit, the former Valletta mentor, will take charge of his first game as Birkirkara coach tonight.

John Buttigieg led the Stripes from the touchline in their opening two matches but the latter has left the way clear for Zammit to take control of the team today.

Zammit, who conducted his first training session at Birkirkara yesterday, is not expected to make significant changes from the team that lost to Valletta on Wednesday. The three Serbian trialists are set for another run-out but their chances of securing a contract appear to be very remote.

Champions Hibs also have high hopes of regaining the Euro Cup but for Mark Miller, the top priority is the team's performances ahead of their Champions League matches against Montenegro's FK Mogren.

Miller is no closer to finalising his foreign line-up for next season after trialists Taki Abelilah and Ouichou El Houssaine decided to return to the Netherlands.

Edward Herrera has yet to play his first match for Hibs since making his loan move from Melita permanent as he is plagued by a calf strain.

Miller is still without Christian Callejas who is due to return from Uruguay tomorrow.

Champions League

The first leg of the Champions League first qualifying round tie between Hibs and FK Mogren is being played next Tuesday instead of Wednesday.

Hibs have been forced to bring the date of their home match forward by one day as Keflavik, who meet Valletta in a Europa League match on Thursday, insisted on training at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday evening.