Neptunes favourites as Exiles seek first top honour

The first major honour of the 2011 waterpolo season will be decided this evening when Neptunes Emirates face surprise package 3XC Exiles in the final of the BOV Knock-Out for Division One teams.

While Neptunes go into today’s match determined to halt a disappointing run of three conse-cutive defeats in the final of the KO, Exiles will be bidding to capture their first big prize.

Joe Caruana Dingli’s men caused the biggest shock of the season so far following their aggregate win over the more-fancied Sliema McDonald’s, the holders, in the semi-finals.

After succumbing to a 14-10 defeat in the first leg, few, if anybody, gave Exiles a chance of turning the tables on the Blues but they showed incredible resilience to overturn the deficit and book a place in the KO final for the first time in the club’s history.

Serbian powerhouse Marco Cuk scored five goals to inspire Exiles to a 13-7 win in the second leg (23-21 on aggregate).

Exiles president Andrew Paris hailed the character and fighting spirit of his players as he looked forward to his club’s first ap-pearance in a major final.

“This is a historic moment for our club,” Paris told The Times.

“We have reached the KO final for Division One teams for the first time and we are really charged up to the challenge.

“Our players deserve credit for this achievement as they con-tinued to believe that they could overturn the deficit in the semi-final. They produced a gallant display to lead our team to a first win over Sliema in 45 years.

“We have another tough task in the final as we’re playing Neptunes but we will be giving it our best shot. On paper they start favourites but who knows, maybe we can pull off another surprise.”

Neptunes, who eased past Sirens in the semi-finals, will be wary of Exiles’ threat as they look to collect their 20th KO title.

Having last won the com-petition in 2005, the Reds are keen to get their hands on the trophy after finishing runners-up in the last three years.

A win in the KO would also boost Neptunes’ quest for a clean sweep of honours this summer.

“We are approaching this final with maximum concentration,” Matthew Bonello, the Neptunes club president, said.

“Some might think that Neptunes will have a trouble-free afternoon but these days there are no easy matches.

“True that, on paper, we look stronger than Exiles but we must show our superiority in the water. We will give Exiles the respect they deserve but we are focusing on completing the job.

“Our main objective is to defend the league title but there is a long way to go. A win in the knock-out would provide a huge injection of confidence for our players in their bid to achieve success.”

In the preliminary round of the league, Neptunes beat Exiles 13-8.

Today’s opening game will be the Division Two KO final between Marsascala meat.com.mt and Ta’ Xbiex.

Marsascala and Ta’ Xbiex advanced to the final after seeing off Valletta Dhalia and Otters Nivea, respectively, in the semi-finals.

Today’s programme

Division Two KO final

5 p.m. Ta’ Xbiex vs Marsascala

Division One KO final

6.15 p.m. Neptunes vs Exiles