Four teams will be running for the honour of winning the 2014 Mediterranean Bank Cup this afternoon as Swieqi Overseas play Sliema Stompers in the First Division final and Swieqi Overseas B take on Falcons in the competition for Second Division teams at Marsa.
The clash from the top flight will be a “classico” as it will be the fourth time in four years that the same two teams battle for the title.
Stompers are the current title holders with Overseas having won twice previously.
It has not been a good season for the Sliema team mainly due to injuries to key players.
However, they will all throw their last effort in retaining this title with the help of national team player Daniel Holliday along with Dragan Cerketa, John Ellul, Chris Schranz and Max Galea.
The return of experienced Spaniard David Monchon will also contribute for the unity of the Stompers team.
On the other side, Overseas, with a new, revamped image and a young team will be on a high after having been crowned Cisk League champions last week, breaking a 13-year wait after having been so close in recent years.
However, it has not been an easy season for them as club captain and national team player Clayton Cassar was ruled out with injury. But it seems that the Swieqi boys have now reached cruising speed after winning all their games since February 1.
Coaches Alan McKay and Tony Garett succeeded in building a strong squad with a mix of experienced players, led by Vince Stivala and Roderick Borg, and others showing promise and earning selection to Malta ‘A’.
Curtain raiser
Today’s curtain raiser sees Overseas B taking on Falcons.
The Blues have been undefeated all season and only drew once against Sliema Stompers B. The former Alligators players in the Overseas team seem to have integrated well in the side.
The Falcons are playing in their first ever season in senior rugby.
It is a big mark for this young team (average age is 20 years) to reach the cup final as all effort to gel together a group of players and giving them some competitive games to develop their skills have finally come through.
Coaches Joe Borg and Sam Ramage, as well as club president Robert Portelli, are fully aware of the challenge in front of them.
But they are confident that their team can produce their best ever rugby in one game and fight for the victory.