For Birkirkara and Valletta, this evening’s BOV Super Cup final represents an opportunity to put down an early marker and give their expectant fans a pre-championship tonic.

With the onset of the 2010/11 BOV Premier League fast approaching, the two rivals must be relishing the prospect of getting their domestic season off to a bright start by capturing the Super Cup.

For decades, this final was the last competitive fixture of the local football calendar but since 2004, this annual showdown between the league champions and the FA Trophy winners has served as the curtain-raiser to the new season.

With Birkirkara, the reigning champions, and Valletta, the 2009/10 FA Trophy winners, both on a relentless quest for success, this evening’s final at the National Stadium (kick-off 7 p.m.) should unfold into a keenly-fought encounter.

“The Super Cup is the first competitive match of the new season,” Jesmond Zerafa, the Valletta coach, told The Times. “It’s a game between the two best teams of last season.

“We’re in for a tough outing because we’re playing the champions but we’re ready for the test.”

Zerafa is keen for Valletta to add the 2010/11 Super Cup to their honours’ list.

“There is no doubting the prestige of this match,” Zerafa said. “We’re still around three weeks away from the start of the championship but it’s always good to launch the season by winning a trophy. Victory in the Super Cup would also provide fitting reward for the hard work put in by the players in training so far.”

The City coach is expected to name all the new signings in his squad today, including Nigerian striker Joseph Okonkwo who has joined the Whites on a one-year loan deal from Dingli Swallows.

Defender Kenneth Scicluna and midfielder Edmond Agius are sidelined with injuries while left-back Steve Bezzina is doubtful.

Although these are still early days, the Valletta and Birkirkara faithful are expected to turn up in large numbers today in the hope of celebrating their team’s first trophy of the new season.

“The fans are itching for the season to get underway,” Zerafa said. “They come to watch us train and I’m sure they crave victory for Valletta in the Super Cup.”

Looking back on the first two months of his tenure as Valletta coach, Zerafa declared himself satisfied with the commitment of the players.

“I’m satisfied with the work we’ve done so far,” Zerafa said. “The players have behaved like true professionals and they quickly adjusted themselves to the changes we’ve introduced.

“We also have a host of new players but they have settled in nicely. Unlike previous seasons, we haven’t made drastic changes to the squad, we only engaged new foreign players and signed Jonathan Caruana as a replacement for Luke Dimech.”

Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara coach, has made no attempt to conceal his desire to steer his team to victory in today’s Super Cup match but insists that winning is not his one and only objective.

“This match is definitely more than just a pre-season friendly,” Zammit said. “It is the first competitive fixture and there’s a trophy at stake but we’re going into the match with a number of other objectives in mind.

“After our commitments in the Champions League, I had no opportunity to evaluate the level of my team in proper matches. This game gives me the chance to have a closer look at the team and assess the progress of the new signings. I think the same applies to Valletta.”

Zammit has made some alterations to his title-winning squad in the close season but he can’t send out his best team today because of injuries.

Midfielder Rowen Muscat is still recovering from the knee injury he suffered in the second leg of the Champions League second qualifying round match against Slovakia’s MSK Zilina. Alan Tabone is out with a fractured finger.

Andrew Decesare is doubtful after being laid low by influenza and Dutch winger Sylvano Comvalius is still not available for selection.

Young forward Terrence Vella, plucked from Gudja United on a season-long loan, is an injury doubt as he is still struggling with an adductor strain.

Argentine winger Emiliano Lattes is expected to make his bow for Birkirkara today.

“I wish all my players were available for this match but that’s not the case,” Zammit said. “There’s always a high level of expectancy at Birkirkara, moreso after the team won the league title last season but we’re going to play against the strongest squad on paper.

“I genuinely believe that with the signings they made this summer, Valletta have improved from last season, especially from a technical point-of-view.”

As reigning champions, Birkirkara are again expected to be at the forefront of the battle for honours but Zammit urged his players not to rest on their laurels.

“I’m very pleased with the work the players have carried out since we resumed training on June 1,” Zammit said. “We had a good run in Europe. We were close to making it to third qualifying round of the Champions League, narrowly losing to MSK Zilina who are on the verge of gaining a spot in the group stages.

“I always stress that we must look forward and upward. Although we are the defending champions, only our performances on the field will dictate if we can challenge for the main honours.”

If today’s Super Cup ends in a draw, extra-time will be played. If the score is still tied at the end of extra-time, the game will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Last 10 winners

2009: Sliema Wanderers

2008: Valletta

2007: Hibs

2006: Birkirkara

2005: Birkirkara

2004: Birkirkara

2003: Birkirkara

2002: Birkirkara

2001: Valletta

2000: Sliema Wanderers