The ASA of Malta expects another full house this evening at the National Pool as the summer season continues to reach a peak with the BOV KO finals for clubs from the First Division and Premier League.
The main contenders in the second-tier league, Valletta United and Marsascala Mor€, cross paths again in a contest for the second major honour of the season while in the top flight no clash other than the derby between old-time rivals Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate and Neptunes Emirates fits the bill for such a match-up.
For the Reds, the knockout may not be the only route for silverware this season as Sergey Markoch’s men still harbour outside hopes of retaining the National League for a fourth year running.
However, Sliema had a very poor summer by their own standards and the KO means their only chance of glory this year.
Indeed, the Blues only came to life in the latter part of this campaign with a couple of fine showings that enabled the team led by Peter Decesare to regroup and seriously test the credentials of league leaders San Ġiljan Sir Alex before derailing Neptunes’ bid for a fourth successive championship.
On current form, it looks like Sliema are the most revved up team today as they followed up their astonishing comeback win over Neptunes on August 10 with a forceful display that yielded them the highest score of the season – a 23-11 victory over Exiles Ferretti.
But cup finals are all on-the-day stuff and past statistics count for nothing.
Decesare is well aware that Neptunes, who beat Sirens Ritter Sport 15-8 in their last match, will be hard to beat if they recover their early-season poise which earned the Reds seven successive victories, cruising past opponents with relative ease.
Last year, Neptunes edged closer to Sliema in the all-time knockout winners’ list after beating the Blues 12-8 in the final to claim their 21st success in the competition.
Sliema have won the KO title 25 times.
To reach this year’s final, Sliema had to negotiate two rounds after eliminating San Ġiljan in their opener (12-6) before beating Sirens 15-6 in the semi-finals.
Neptunes had an easier route as they only played Exiles in a last-four tie, winning it comfortably 16-8.
In head-to-head league encounters this summer, Neptunes beat Sliema twice (15-5 and 14-11). Sliema prevailed on one occasion (9-8).
Anthony Farrugia’s Valletta made sure of the Division One championship with a few matches to spare.
Today, they will be all out to beat Marsa-scala and make this a fine double for them as the City team continue with their quest to put the club back on solid foundations.
In the semis, Valletta beat Marsaxlokk 13-6 and Marsascala edged Ta’ Xbiex 13-12.
Playing today
KO finals – 18.00 Marsascala vs Valletta. 19.15 Sliema vs Neptunes.