Birkirkara striker Shola Haruna is closely marked by Paltemio Barbetti. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Birkirkara 1
Sliema Wanderers 3

Senegalese striker Gueye Pape scored on his Birkirkara debut but Sliema responded to the challenge posed by the Stripes with gusto as they came back to hit three goals past the helpless champions to attain a victory in the opening match of the Euro Cup.

Yet the game took on an unreal atmosphere after the half-time interval when a total of 13 substitutes were effective by the two respective coaches.

This, being the first proper run-out for Birkirkara and Sliema since the start of their pre-season training, they took the field with the aim of getting some match pratice under their belts, besides giving trialists an opportunity to shine.

Birkirkara assistant coach Peter Pullicino, in the absence of Paul Zammit, used this match to assess three foreign players who are currently on trial with the Stripes.

In fact, central defender Kevin Bondundi, Botswana international midfielder Koko Sekhana and striker Gueye Pape were all named in Birkirkara’ starting formation.

Trevor Cilia, back in Sliema’s fold after a loan spell with Floriana, was the only novelty on Sliema’s team sheet.

After seven minutes, Stanley Ohawuchi endeavoured to exploit his speed and agility on the right flank before his low drive flashed just wide of Reuben Gauci’s far post.

Four minutes later, Glenn Zammit fumbled a seemingly innocous free-kick by Ryan Camenzuli but Matias Muchardi was right on the line to boot upfield and clear the danger.

Pape left his mark on the game when, with 38 minutes gone, he rounded Stefano Bianciardi before slotting the ball past Zammit.

Just past the hour mark, Paltemio Barbetti served the unchallenged Ohawuchi on the left and a Sliema goal loomed large but the Nigerian blasted the ball wide.

After 65 minutes, the Wanderers equalised with Mark Scerri hitting a first-time volley into the far corner.

The Blues quickly underlined their attacking threat when Ohawuchi’s cross was met by substitute Ariel Laudisi whose firm header had the beating of Gauci after 70 minutes.

With Birkirkara all at sea, Sliema went for the kill and five minutes later, Laudisi hit an exquisite chip to seal the Wanderers’ win.

Birkirkara: R. Gauci (79 J. Martinelli), K. Bondundi, A. Mendoza, D. Spiteri, F. Zammit (46 M. Clinch), M. Camilleri, R. Scicluna (46 R. Taliana), R. Camenzuli (46 A. Borg), S. Haruna Shola (80 B. Attard), G. Pape (71 L. Montebello), K. Sekhana (64 K. Zammit).

Sliema: G. Zammit, L. Martinelli (60 B. Muscat), S. Bianciardi (46 I. Grech), P. Barbetti, J. Mintoff, M. Scerri, D. Kokavessis (46 M. Ciantar), S. Ohawuchi, C. Gatt Baldacchino (46 J. Mifsud), T. Cilia (62 A. Laudisi), M. Muchardi (46 A. Navarra).

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Today (Centenary Stadium)
Hibernians vs Valletta8pm