Balzan captain Dylan Grima (right) puts pressure on Pembroke’s Gustavo Villalobos during Sunday’s semi-final. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Sliema Wanderers will be bidding to extend their record to 21 cup victories while Balzan will be chasing their first top-level honour when the two meet in the final of the FA Trophy tomorrow at the National Stadium (kick-off 17.00).

Dylan Grima and Alex Muscat, the captains of Balzan and Sliema Wanderers respectively, are excited by the prospect of leading their team to Knock-Out glory and both are approaching tomorrow’s showdown with cautious optimism.

“I’m looking forward to the final but we know it will not be an easy game,” Grima, who has recovered from the slight injury that ended his participation at half-time of last Sunday’s 3-1 extra-time victory over Pembroke Athleta, told reporters yesterday.

“It’s a 50-50 game. All our players are motivated and eager to win the first major honour in the history of Balzan FC. I hope the final will be an entertaining game.”

Muscat echoed Grima’s views.

“It’s a tough game and the result will hinge on who performs better on the day,” the experienced right-back said.

“This is the beauty of a cup tie. We are preparing as best as we can and fully concentrated to try and win this competition.

“We know we’re in for a difficult test because Balzan have improved a lot in the last few seasons.”

The FA Trophy glitters again after being cleaned by the English firm that is manufacturing the new Knock-Out cup.

The Blues, led by Italian coach Alfonso Greco, stayed on course to win the FA Trophy for the first time since 2009 after overcoming Birkirkara 1-0 in the first semi-final courtesy of Denni’s close-range finish on the stroke of half-time.

For Muscat, Saturday’s success was particularly sweet as it came against the club that made a strong push to sign him during the January transfer window.

“We joked about this in the dressing room,” Muscat said when asked to describe his feelings after the game. “If I had decided to join Birkirkara in January, I think I would have been doubly disappointed, but I chose to stay with Sliema because I knew that the club was striving to build a team capable of challenging the top sides in the Premier League.”

Landmark occasion

History will be made tomorrow if Balzan, under the guidance of Oliver Spiteri, become the last team to hold aloft the prestigious trophy, which is to be replaced by a brand new one next season.

Grima stressed that the Balzan players are energised rather than weighed down by the significance of the occasion.

“It’s a source of motivation,” the 25-year-old midfielder said.

“Every player wants to be involved in a game like this and being part of the squad that is representing Balzan in their first ever major final is an honour.

“We are determined to bring the first big trophy to Balzan. Our fans’ motto is ‘small village, big heart’ and that also mirrors the team’s mentality. ”

Muscat is one of a handful of players who were part of the Sliema team that last secured a major honour, the FA Trophy in season 2008/09.

The 31-year-old insisted that Sliema are not short of big-game players as the likes of Brazilian forward Denni, defender Luke Dimech, and midfielder Johann Bezzina and striker Jean Paul Farrugia, the latter two on loan from Hibs, are no strangers to winning honours.

“Seven years have passed since Sliema won their last trophy,” Muscat said. “In these kind of games, motivation comes naturally because there is a lot at stake.

“In our team, there are several players who have won a lot with other clubs, people like Denni, Luke and Johann, so we’re not lacking experience.

“Those players who, like me, have been with Sliema for many years, haven’t had much success lately but that only strengthens our determination to end this long wait.”