The finalists in the different categories of the fifth edition of Replay Gala Night, to be held next Wednesday, have been announced.
Christian and Ġorġ Micallef, the producers of the popular football show Replay on NET TV, now in its 12th year, gave details about the awards ceremony during a news conference earlier this week.
“Once again these awards will give us the opportunity to honour those individuals who have excelled throughout the season,” Christian Micallef said.
“The Replay Gala Night will celebrate personal achievement and commitment to the game.”
Ġorġ Micallef explained in detail the judging process.
He said a panel of 12 football correspondents selected their top five players, coaches or referees in nine categories.
Their votes were carried forward to a second adjudicating phase where eight other leading football pundits shortlisted the eventual winners.
This year’s awards will again feature the best under-17 player of the year accolade.
Coaches from the Malta FA technical centre and the coaches of the U-17 teams at local nurseries voted for this award.
The prestigious top star and young star player awards have also been retained.
All the players who took part in the Premier League last season have been asked to name their top five players for the two top star awards.
Last year’s new accolade, the top star coach award, will feature again as the best coach will be chosen by the 12 Premier League coaches themselves.
The Premier League Best XI will be revealed on Wednesday with the Premier League coaches voting for the best player in each position.
A special award involving the sporting public is still ongoing.
Fans and viewers of Replay will have the final say on who they think was the BOV Premier League top player last season.
Voting through text messages on 506-17091 will close on Wednesday at noon. The winner will be announced during the award ceremony.
Furthermore, local clubs’ websites will be assessed by a team of web-design experts who will determine the winner of the best club website.
The Replay Gala Night will be broadcast live on NET TV at 8.30 p.m. Renowned TV personalities Charles Saliba and Louise Tedesco will once again host the evening.
The sponsors of this year’s event are The Gram Collections, Kunsill Malti għall-iSport, Stylish Bathroom Centre, Paparukei Caterers, Powerade, Sports Experience and Dove for Men.
The Finalists
Best goalkeeper: H. Bonello (Sliema); M. Camilleri (Balzan); A. Hogg (Valletta); M. Muscat (Hibernians).
Best defender: I. Azzopardi (Valletta); S. Borg (Valletta); J. Caruana (Valletta); R. Soares (Hibernians).
Best midfielder: W. Barbosa (Valletta); R. Briffa (Valletta); C. Failla (Hibs); P. Doffo (Floriana).
Best striker Denni (Valletta); Edison Luis dos Santos (Hibernians); O. Obiefule (Mosta); Jorginho (Qormi).
Best coach M. Miller (Hibs); I. Zammit (Balzan Youths); P. Zammit (Birkirkara); J. Zerafa (Valletta).
Best referee: Marco Borg; Chris Lautier; Clayton Pisani; Esther Azzopardi.
Best foreign player: W. Barbosa (Valletta); Denni (Valletta); O. Obiefule (Mosta); Jorginho (Qormi).
Best Maltese player: R. Briffa (Valletta); J. Caruana (Valletta); A. Cohen (Hibs); C. Failla (Hibs).
Best overall player: W. Barbosa (Valletta); J. Caruana (Valletta); C. Failla (Hibs); O. Obiefule (Mosta).
Top Star coach award: C. Mizzi (Mqabba); Mark Miller (Hiber-nians); Paul Zammit (Birkirkara); J. Zerafa (Valletta).
Best Div. One player: D. Falzon (Naxxar Lions); J. Galea (Melita); M. Martin (Melita); A. Smeir (Rabat Ajax).
Best U-17 player: K. Cesare (Pietà); L. Cremona (Valletta); J. Degabriele (Hibernians); R. Spiteri (Ħamrun).
Best woman player: R. Cuschieri (Birkirkara); S. Farrugia (Birkir-kara); J. Gafa (Gozo FC); G. Zahra (Birkirkara).
Best club website: Birkirkara; Floriana; Mdina Knights; Valletta.