Neptunes Grimaldi and San Ġiljan Crystal Finance Investments are favourites to proceed to the BOV knock-out final as the two heavyweights should prove too strong for their respective opponents, Sirens Ritter Sports and Valletta McDonald’s, in this weekend’s semi-finals at the National Pool.

KO holders Neptunes overcame a big hurdle in the previous round as they scraped past rivals Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate 9-7.

The Saints, who last won the KO back in 1995, were awarded a bye into the last-four while the Citizens had to struggle to beat Exiles Ferretti 9-8 and book their place in the semi-finals.

The Premier Division trek has now entered the home straight with second-placed Neptunes, pushing for an unprecedented sixth championship win in a row, engaged in a titanic duel with their Balluta Bay neighbours and leaders San Ġiljan.

Last weekend, Neptunes could not go beyond a 7-7 draw against the Saints in a tense clash, meaning that Marco Orlovic’s team stayed two points clear of their rivals at the top with only two matches left.

Sirens, safe from the relegation threat, have produced a few spirited displays this summer but not in their matches against Neptunes.

In fact, in the first phase of the national championship, the Reds emerged victorious on two occasions ­– 10-7 and 12-6 – as the team from St Paul’s Bay failed to make the Championship Pool.

Last year, Neptunes beat Sirens 10-9 in the semi-final before staving off the challenge from Sliema in the final to seal their 22nd KO title.

Valletta also came a cropper in their previous encounters against San Ġiljan who showed their supremacy by winning the two league matches 15-6 and 13-10.

The Premier Division and First Division KO finals are scheduled to take place on August 22.

Marsaxlokk Fischer and Marsascala Nutrition Empire will contest the First Division KO final after wins over Otters Nivea (20-11) and Ta’ Xbiex Amigos (17-8) respectively in the semi-finals played last month.

Programme

Playing today: Division One league 18.15 Otters vs Marsaxlokk; BOV Premier Division KO semi-final 19.30 Neptunes vs Sirens.

Tomorrow: Division One league 18.15 Ta’ Xbiex vs Marsascala; BOV Premier Division KO semi-final 19.30 Valletta vs San Ġiljan.

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