Hibs are optimistic of winning next Wednesday's FA Trophy Final, but that will only ease, and not eliminate, the pain of losing the league title in a decider, Hibs Captain Andrew Cohen said this morning.

Hibs will face Qormi in a re-run of last year's final, also won by Hibs.

Cohen said Hibs have been playing well and he was optimistic for next Wednesday (Kick off 7.30 p.m. at the national stadium).

Hibs, he said, respected Qormi but were confident of their own abilities. Lifting the trophy would help ease the pain of losing the league title, he said, but it would not take it away.

This will be Qormi's third FA Trophy final in four years, and Qormi captain Matthew Farrugia said that experience could be considered as a plus for the team - even though Qormi have never actually won.

The experience, he said, would help the team cope with the pressure. Last year (like this year) Qormi reached the final after overcoming Valletta. This year, he said, Qormi would be more cautious and approach the game in a different way.