San Ġiljan Salini Resort and Balluta Bay neighbours Neptunes Grimaldi start favourites to contest the BOV KO showdown later this month when they play Relegation Pool opponents in this weekend’s semi-finals at Tal-Qroqq.
Holders San Ġiljan should meet little difficulty in eliminating Premier Division wooden spoonists Exiles Jetfreight this evening as Neptunes face a tricky test against Sirens Ritter Sport tomorrow.
In championship matches this summer, San Ġiljan had two easy rides on Exiles following clear wins of 19-10 and 13-7.
On Wednesday, Dorian Pisani’s Exiles broke their duck in the Premier Division after chalking up their first win of the season following a 14-10 victory over Valletta McDonald’s.
The Saints sustained their chances of repeating their 2015 double feat when beating Sliema Betsson 12-4 in the quarter-finals late last month as Exiles earned a bye to the last-four stage of the competition.
Sirens, who last won the KO back in 2006, gave Neptunes a good run for their money in the league following a 9-9 draw before losing the second game with a narrow margin of two goals – 8-6.
However, the St Paul’s Bay team failed to make the Championship Pool this summer and that compels them to produce their best game and surprise the more quoted Neptunes to keep their silverware hopes alive.
In the previous round, Sirens overpowered Valletta McDonald’s 13-5 as Neptunes were not in action in the quarter-finals after receiving a bye in the competition draw.
The First Division KO semi-finals are also scheduled for today and tomorrow as section winners Marsaxlokk Fischer, who made sure of the title with a few extra matches to spare, will be seeking a passage to the final at the expense of Ta’ Xbiex Amigos.
The other team in the final will emerge from the clash between Otters Nivea and league runners-up Marsascala Nutrition Empire.
The KO finals in all categories – Premier Division, First Division and Women’s League – will be played on August 27.
The KO semi-finals
Playing today: 18.15 Otters vs Marsascala; 19.30 San Ġiljan vs Exiles.
Tomorrow: 18.15 Marsaxlokk vs Ta’ Xbiex; 19.30 Sirens vs Neptunes.