Padova won the EuroSport Christmas Cup this afternoon after victories over local teams Birkirkara and Hamrun Spartans in this triangular tournament.
The Serie B team fully deserved their 2-0 victory over Birkirkara but they had to fight much harder to see off the Spartans’ challenge in the third and final match at the Hibs Stadium.
An excellent free-kick from captain Ryan Fenech had given Hamrun Spartans a 1-0 win over Birkirkara in the opening 45-minute match of the EuroSport Christmas Cup. Terrence Vella squandered two inviting chances to level matters for Birkirkara.
The Spartans finished the match with 10 men after Steve Bonnici was sent off for a last-man foul on Birkirkara’s Vella but Alan Tabone’s effort from the resultant free-kick was blocked by Hamrun’s human wall.
Padova beat Birkirkara 2-0 in the second game. Antonio Di Nardo put Padova ahead after 16 minutes and Stephan El Shaarawy sealed their win with a second goal three minutes from the end.
The winners of the first two games, Hamrun Spartans and Padova, met in the third and decisive match.
Padova edged the Spartans 1-0 thanks to Daniele Vantaggiato’s late goal but the Maltese Premier League side proved more than a match for their opponents. They might have won the match and tournament had Brazilian forward Marcelo Pereira not missed two glorious opportunities in the opening 20 minutes.
Hamrun Spartans captain Ryan Fenech was voted player of the tournament.