Valletta and Hibernians will be looking for an ideal start to the 2003-2004 campaign when they clash in the opening game of the Lowenbrau Cup this evening at the National Stadium.
With holders Sliema Wanderers unable to defend their title due to their participation in the Champions League, these two teams, along with Birkirkara, will be contesting the first domestic honour of the new season.
Valletta and Hibs are facing this pre-season competition with different objectives. While the Paolites are solely focusing on the league championship, which starts on August 22, the Citizens will be making their final tunings ahead of next week's UEFA Cup home leg against Switzerland's Neuchatel Xamax.
Both sides have contrasting records in the Lowenbrau Cup. While Valletta have been the most successful, winning it six times, Hibs are yet to inscribe their name on the trophy.
Despite their fine track, Gilbert Agius says winning the Lowenbrau Cup is not Valletta's chief objective as they are looking at the tournament as an ideal warm-up for the UEFA Cup.
"We have only one goal in mind at the moment," he said, "to have an ideal build-up for the Neuchatel Xamax matches. A good show in Europe is one of our chief targets at this stage as we seek to get into a top physical condition with some hard training in our pre-season.
"This does not mean we will take things lightly against Hibs. Starting the season on a good footing is good for the morale."
The Citizens will be under the guidance of new coach Atanas Marinov. His arrival should revive Valletta's fortunes and Agius believes the club could not have chosen a better person.
"The appointment of Mr Marinov has been a great coup by the club. He has introduced a new kind of philosophy in our training and he seems to know exactly what is needed to put our team back on top," Agius said.
"He is also giving due care to our promising youngsters as he intends to build a strong squad... I have no doubt that he will achieve his goal."
During the past three months, there were rumours that Agius could follow other players, like David Carabott or Chris Oretan, who decided to quit the club. But the Malta international has once more reinstated his love for Valletta FC by putting pen to paper on a new four-year deal.
"I was born in Valletta and supported the team since I was a young boy... putting on the white shirt was a dream come true for me. The people here have always been great and I can't see myself playing anywhere else, to be honest. Being the new captain is an added bonus and I'm focused on leading the side to more glorious days," the 29-year-old said.
Today, Valletta will parade two new Bulgarian imports, striker Manol Georgiev and defender Todor Simeonov. Marinov, however, will be without Darren Debono and Renie Forace who are still injured. Ivan Zammit will be serving the last day of his six-month ban. He should be back in the team's next Lowenbrau Cup match.
Hibs have little changes from last season with the exception of defender Branko Nisevic who was released to make way for Nigerian striker Udo Nwoko, promoted to the senior team from the youth ranks.
Goalkeeper Mario Muscat says the Lowenbrau Cup has been one competition that has eluded the Paolites for a long time. He believes it's about time the team breaks its duck.
"Winning the Lowenbrau Cup would be an ideal way to start the new season," Muscat said. "Hibernians have never won this competition. It looks like we are strong enough to do it this time but all depends on how you play on the day.
"Certainly, it's not going to be easy. Valletta and Birkirkara are very strong sides. However, with us being practically the same squad as last year that could be a good advantage because all the players know each other pretty well. I believe there is enough strength in depth to challenge for the honours."
Like Marinov, Robert Gatt is giving due importance to Hibs' youth players as he has already named some U-19 players in the senior squad.
According to Muscat this shows the club's objective to stay at the top level of the local game through serious planning.
"The players in the youth section are the future of this club," he said.
"The coach strongly believes in their qualities. We were not surprised when he named a group of them in our pre-season squad. They have a huge potential and I believe this competition could be the ideal test for them to increase confidence."
Hibernians today will be without Nigerian midfielder Essien Mbong, who is still abroad. Adrian Ciantar, still seeking to secure a new contract, has not been included in the squad. Reserve goalkeeper Ranier Farrugia is out with a shoulder injury.