City celebrations on show

Wednesday was Europe day... today is Valletta day.

Thousands of City fans are expected to pour into the National Stadium to celebrate their team’s much-anticipated coronation as Malta champions for the second season running.

That their final league match pits them against Hibs, their rivals and chief title challengers this season, lends extra spice to the occasion in the eyes of the Valletta supporters who have been eagerly awaiting this game since their team secured the title with a 3-0 win over Sliema Wanderers on April 29.

Hibs, the league runners-up, have nothing to play for bar pride but they must be relishing the prospect of putting a damper on their rivals’ title party.

With the U*Bet FA Trophy semi-finals around the corner, the two sides will be mindful of the ill-effects a demoralising defeat could have on the players’ morale ahead of next weekend’s cup matches.

Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa is adamant that his players do not take things lightly this afternoon.

“This is the last game of the championship,” Zerafa told The Times.

“We have to remain focused on the task at hand. We’ve been working hard all year and the day everyone in our camp has been waiting for has finally arrived.

“We’re all concentrating on the game and the result. This day also belongs to the fans who have stayed behind the team throughout the season. This is Valletta’s feast, the feast of the supporters who have given so much to the club.

“It’s our duty to make them happy. The players have always lived up to their responsibilities and I’m confident that they will do so again in our final league match.”

Zerafa expects a stern challenge from Hibs.

“Hibs are a difficult team, one of the best in the league,” the Valletta coach said.

“They haven’t achieved what they wanted but that probably will make them determined to win this game.”

The draw of the FA Trophy semi-finals will be made before today’s game but Zerafa insisted that Valletta want to enjoy their party before they start to think about the trophy.

“This is our day and we will enjoy it because we’ve all worked very hard to reach this objective,” Zerafa said.

“After Saturday (today), we will start to focus on the FA Trophy.”

Burkina Faso winger Ousseni Zongo is set to miss today’s match with a back problem but otherwise Zerafa has no selection worries.

The past few weeks have been marked by growing speculation about Zerafa’s future as Valletta coach beyond his current contract which expires at the end of this month.

Asked about his future, Zerafa said: “I made my position clear. I want to enjoy this moment as it has always been my dream to win two titles in a row as coach of my home club.

“I’m a professional and my immediate priority is the final league game and the Trophy. I will consider my future after the end of the season.”

Hibs coach Mark Miller, who is being strongly linked with Valletta, has a full squad at his disposal for today’s match.

Miller stressed that Hibs will be doing their best to win.

“We will try to go out and win the game but not to deliberately spoil their party,” Miller said.

“We want to get close to Valletta in terms of points. There’s also a little bit of pride in wanting to beat the top team in the country.

“This game also serves as preparation for the Trophy so we’re all looking forward to it.”

Results so far: Valletta vs Hibs 0-2, 1-1, 3-2.