[attach id=262787 size="medium"]Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, of Birkirkara, tries to deliver a cross despite the marking of Bjorn Kristensen. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier[/attach]

Birkirkara 2
Hibernians 0

Birkirkara newcomers, Ricardo Jimenez and Demba Toure, were on the mark last night as their first goals in a Stripes shirt denied Hibernians the Euro Cup, instead handing the pre-season tourna-ment honours to Valletta.

Having completed their tour-nament on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Sliema Wanderers, Valletta were banking on a favour from Birkirkara in the shape of a draw or a win over the Paolites in yesterday’s final match.

Now, the Citizens will be presented with the trophy on another occasion which still has to be announced.

Coming less than two months after the ill-fate title decider, Hibernians were keen to ease the frustration caused by that 3-1 defeat to Birkirkara but their chances suffered a blow when the Stripes seized an early lead and they were unable to hit back and turn the tide in their favour.

Hibernians were a pale shadow of the team that rattled Sliema in their last outing as they looked short of flair and inspiration for most of the game.

Birkirkara’s supremacy owed to their superior fitness, better position and movement and accuracy of their passing.

Prior to kick-off both teams observed a one minute silence in respect of former Hibernians midfielder Essien Mbong who passed away last week.

Trialist Jimenez was named in Birkirkara’s starting line-up alongside Alejandro Mendoza in the centre of the rearguard as the Mexican defender was given the chance to press his claims for a permanent contract. Toure started on the bench for the Stripes who had striker Luke Montebello back in their fold after a spell with Livorno in the Italian league.

Hibernians coach Branko Nisevic fielded a strong forward line as Brazilian Luis Edison and Steve Pisani were detailed to provide support to Nigerian forward Obinna Obiefule.

The early exchanges were devoid of creative football as both sets of players looked rusty, not surprising given that these are still early days in the new season.

It was, however, Birkirkara who produced the better stuff and Jimenez put the team on their way to victory shy the half hour.

Ryan Camenzuli’s corner soared into the box and from the melee that ensued Jimenez headed the ball past keeper Daniel Balzan.

Birkirkara nearly doubled their lead seven minutes later but Camenzuli’s screamer from the distance was palmed away by the alert Balzan.

After the break, the Stripes went for the kill and their efforts should have produced a second goal when Shodiya Shola Haruna, Birkirkara’s best player, breezed past two defenders before serving Kurt Zammit but the substitute’s drive was blocked by Matthew Tabone with the aid of the crossbar.

Hibs were never a threat and the various substitutions that were effected after the break slowed the pace down con-siderably.

Then, three minutes from time Birkirkara took the game beyond their opponents’ reach.

Edward Herrera’s throughball from the right sailed towards the goalmouth where Toure’s first-time effort from close range gave Balzan no chance.

Birkirkara: R. Gauci (81 J. Haber), Z. Muscat (46 K. Sekhana), J. Zerafa (79 M. Clinch), A. Mendoza, R. Jimenez, P. Fenech, E. Herrera, R. Camenzuli (46 F. Zammit), S. Haruna Shola (75 M. Camilleri), J.P. Mifsud Triganza (73 D. Toure), L. Montebello (66 K. Zammit).

Hibs: D. Balzan, T. Tabone Desira (76 I. Briffa), M. Tabone, K. Tanti (46 R. Soares), S. Chircop (46 J.P. Farrugia), N. Chetcuti, B. Kristensen, B. Muscat (46 R. Camilleri), S. Pisani, L. Edison, O. Obiefule (46 A. Cohen).

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Final standings