This was supposed to be a friendly tournament to mark Parma's visit to Malta but the rivalry between Hibs and Valletta ensured a vibrant atmosphere at a packed Hibs Stadium last night.
Valletta and Hibs faced each other in the first of three 45-minute matches, with the latter emerging victorious 3-1, but the fans also retained an interest in the proceedings even when their team was not playing.
Parma's 3-1 win over the Citizens in the second match knocked the latter out of contention, to the evident delight of the Hibs fans. And when Parma met Hibs in the final match, it was the turn of the City fans to side with the Serie A team.
True to expectation, Parma, who are here for a training camp, won the Christmas Cup after a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Hibs in the decisive match.
Declan O'Brien, the Irish striker signed by Valletta as a replacement for Geert den Ouden, was named in the starting team against Hibs.
Valletta's line-up was a blend of experience and youth as Cleaven Frendo, making his first start in nine months, Edmond Agius and Dyson Falzon were joined by goalkeeper Nicky Vella, Dylan Grima, Clifford Gauci, Leslie Cassar and Leon Camilleri.
Hibs coach Mark Miller also fielded a host of upcoming players who have already seen first-team action for the champions this season, the likes of Triston Caruana, Yan Cauchi and Matthew Tabone.
Chris Camilleri was under starting orders for Hibs as the Gozitan is gunning for another tilt at Premier League football.
The former Valletta, Msida and Marsaxlokk winger is expected to seal his switch to Hibs in the next few days.
The first roar of joy came from the Hibs' end as the Paolites drew first blood after nine minutes. Chris Camilleri swung in a cross from a free-kick and Ben Camilleri prodded past Vella.
Valletta fell further behind when, with 16 minutes gone, Jonathan Pearson headed Adrian Pulis's cross past Vella.
Justin Grioli's cross-shot sailed dangerously towards the far post but Daniel Balzan, the young Hibs goalkeeper, leapt into the air to palm the ball over the bar.
Needing a quick goal to resurrect their hopes, Valletta intensified their efforts and they reduced the arrears, Steve Borg heading firmly past Balzan from Grima's centre.
Valletta's optimism rose but their hopes were jolted when Ben Camilleri was upended in the box and referee Chris Lautier whistled a penalty. Chris Camilleri drilled his shot past Vella.
Grima almost handed Valletta a lifeline but his cross-cum-shot from a free-kick cannoned off the bar.
New line-up
Valletta's defeat meant that they had to face Parma next as Caanen changed his entire line-up for his team's second outing.
Valeri Bojinov's commendable gesture in applauding the fans drew a deserved applause.
Parma coach Francesco Guidolin included the likes of Christian Panucci, Cristian Zaccardo, Stefano Morrone, Daniele Galloppa and Nicola Amoruso in his first XI.
There was little between the two teams in the opening stages with Valletta holding their own against their more-quoted opponents.
Just when it looked as if Valletta were establishing a stronghold, Parma almost forged ahead. Lanzafame made a strong run down the left and picked out the unmarked Amoruso whose close-range flick skimmed the far post.
On 24 minutes, Luke Dimech was adjudged to have tripped Lanzafame in the box and referee Clayton Pisani awarded Parma a penalty. Amoruso rifled past Hogg amid the cheering of the Hibs fans.
Valletta's hopes of salvaging a draw were all but ended when Parma made it 2-0, Stefano Morrone tapping home after Hogg had parried away Amoruso's header.
O'Brien, who had replaced Giglio, pulled one back for Valletta when heading the ball home after getting on the end of Priso's cross.
Driven on by captain Agius, the red-shirted players now surged forward with renewed vigour. Scerri drove wide from an angled position and Agius's free-kick was blocked by Pavarini.
However, in stoppage time, Lanzafame restored Parma's two-goal cushion with a point-blank header from Galloppa's corner.
Still, Valletta refused to lie down and ended the game in attack as shots by Priso and O'Brien were beaten away by the Parma keeper.
Guidolin also made wholesale changes for the 'final' against Hibs who took to the field with their strongest formation.
Seven minutes into the match, Barbara, constantly barracked by the City fans, made headway on the right before crossing for Olegs Malasenoks who failed to get a decisive touch to the ball.
Parma upped their tempo. Mario Muscat, the Hibs goalkeeper, pulled off an excellent save to deny Bojinov. From the corner, the Hibs defence somewhat managed to clear Massimo Paci's effort off the line but on 17 minutes, the Serie A high-fliers surged ahead thanks to Bojinov's close-range finish.
On 26 minutes, Parma made it 2-0, Paolo Hernan Dellafiore nodding home from a corner. Paci then killed off Hibs as Parma again exposed the difficulties of Maltese teams at defending set-pieces.
Hibs might have scored a consolation goal but Barbara's grounder was stopped by Antonio Mirante.
Paci then increased Parma's winning margin when stroking the ball home from routine distance after Hibs had failed to clear Nicolas Cordova's corner.
Lanzafame was voted player of the tournament.
Summaries
Hibernians 3
B. Camilleri 9; Pearson 16; C. Camilleri 42 pen.
Valletta 1
Borg 32;
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Valletta 1
O'Brien 40
Parma 3
Amoruso 25 pen.; Morrone 35; Lanzafame 45
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
Hibernians 0
Parma 4
Bojinov 17; Dellafiore 26; Paci 35, 43
Referee: Marco Borg.