As the eagerly-awaited FA Trophy final draws closer, Andrew Cohen and Paul Fenech, the captains of Hibernians and Birkirkara respectively, are unified in their conviction that the “the best two teams this season” are contesting tomorrow’s showdown at the National Stadium (kick-off 5pm).

Hibernians are pursuing a league and cup double after being crowned champions for the 11th time in their history.

On the other side of the coin, Birkirkara are hoping to add the FA Trophy, sponsored by Attian Group, to the Super Cup they captured at the start of a season in which they have flattered to deceive, eventually finishing third in the BOV Premier League.

“In my opinion, this is a final between the best two teams on the islands this season,” Andrew Cohen, the Hibernians livewire, told a news conference at the Grand Hotel Excelsior yesterday.

“All the games we played against Birkirkara this season have been difficult.

“We won the first game (1-0), at Corradino, but the other two ended in a draw.

“There is no doubt that we have been the most consistent team this season.

“It would be a nice thing if we manage to win the double. Having the Hibs senior, women’s and minor teams clinching the double in their respective categories during the same season would be an extraordinary feat for the club, the players and the fans.”

Paul Fenech, the Birkirkara skipper, concurs with Cohen’s views.

“The previous three encounters between Birkirkara and Hibernians were balanced affairs,” Fenech said.

“In some games, I felt that we played better than Hibernians but they certainly deserved to win the league.

“In spite of the setbacks we have endured this season, I still think that we deserve to be in the final of the FA Trophy which will be contested by the best two teams.

“This is a very important game for us. We kicked off the campaign by winning the Super Cup and we will be doing our utmost to finish it by lifting the FA Trophy.”

After dominating the championship, Hibernians go into tomorrow’s clash as slight favourites. Cohen admitted that the players are feeling some pressure ahead of the FA Trophy final but insisted that he and his team-mates are just thrilled by the prospect of ending the club’s 33-year wait to win the double.

“I’d be lying if I said that there is no pressure on us,” Cohen, who turned 34 last week, said.

“The chance to win the double doesn’t come too often. I’ve never had this opportunity in my career.

“As team captain, I have a strong desire to reach this target.”

While the Paolites breezed into the final after beating Qormi 2-0 in Sunday’s semi-final, Birkirkara were stretched to the limit by rivals Valletta.

After a goalless stalemate in the regular 90 minutes, Fenech stole the show.

The dynamic midfielder rose from the bench to poke the winner in the second half of extra-time, sealing Birkirkara’s passage to the FA Trophy final for the first time since 2008, the last time the Stripes won the KO after beating Ħamrun Spartans 2-1.

Fenech’s decisive cameo rounded off a week of contrasting emotions for the Malta midfielder who went from Birkirkara outcast to hero.

The 28-year-old had been ordered to train on his own by the club’s committee after talks over a new contract broke down.

However, amid growing reports that Valletta were closing in on Fenech, renewed discussions between the two parties paid off as the nippy midfielder signed a new three-year deal with Birkirkara last week.

Inevitably, Fenech was yesterday asked about the events that led to him having a change of heart and his match-winning contribution against the club he had been supposed to join.

“It was not an easy moment for me,” Fenech said of the time he spent on the fringes of the first-team squad due to his dispute with the club.

“I believe that I’ve handled things well but it was a tough period for me. I had a lot of time to think about my situation.

“I spoke to the the people who matter most to me, my family, and they were very supportive.

“I think I’ve made the right decision.

“After all that hassle, the coach decided to give me a chance to play as a second-half substitute and I made the most of my time on the pitch.

“I was coming from the toughest period of my career but after those incredible 30 minutes, I was flying, I couldn’t describe my feelings.”

Pressed to say whether he understood the club’s decision to drop him from the first squad during their contractual row, Fenech replied: “I didn’t agree with their position but at the end of the day, that’s in the past and we have moved on.”

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