The 2017-18 title race was decided on Saturday afternoon when joint-leaders Valletta and Balzan played their final matches against Gżira United and Hibernians respectively.

The race for fourth spot was also decided as Birkirkara, Floriana and Hibs all vied to take the position which could yield an Europa League spot provided either Balzan and Valletta win the FA Trophy.

Results

Valletta vs Gżira United 2-1

Birkirkara vs Ħamrun Spartans 4-2

Floriana vs Lija Athletic 6-2

Hibernians vs Balzan 1-0

6.09pm That's it for now... this brings to an end our coverage. Stay on timesofmalta.com to follow all the latest reaction and Valletta celebrations. 

6pm In his first reaction, Danilo Doncic, the Valletta coach could not hide his pride at winning the title.

"It's an incredible feeling for me," Doncic said.

"To win the title for the first time after 20 years is incredible. The last time I experienced this emotions was as a Valletta players but now I did it as a coach with the club I like.

"But all credit goes to the players and the committee who worked hard and I think Zoran Popovic, the coach I replaced in December also deserves all the praise as his work at the start of the season was very important."

5.57pm IT'S OVER. VALLETTA ARE THE CHAMPIONS.

5.54pm It looks as though that the title is on its way to Valletta as Balzan need two goals in stoppage time...

5.49pm Birkirkara have sealed the points agaisnst Ħamrun as Rolovic made it 4-2. At the Tedesco Stadium, Lija pulled a goal back through Erjon Beu and now trail 5-1.

5.45pm GOAL!!! Andrew Cohen converts from the spot to pull a goal back.

5.43pm PENALTY! Juan Corbalan is brought down in the area by Ryan Camilleri and Gżira can bridge the gap.

5.42pm Floriana continue to increase the score as Mario Fontanella makes it 5-0 against Lija Athletic.

5.39pm CLOSE! Balzan come close to an equaliser when Effiong sends a low cross towards Alves but his backheel effort caught Kaljevic by surprise as the Montenegrin failed to stab the ball into the net.

5.36pm GOAL!!! Floriana add a fourth goal through Juninho Cabral to all but wrap up the points. Still the Greens will be praying for a Ħamrun Spartans equaliser against Birkirkara to remain in the hunt for fourth spot.

5.33pm Micovic brings on Siraj Arab as he looks to add more firepower. Balzan need to find two goals or their title challenge is over.

5.28pm GOAL!!! Valletta double the lead. Santiago Malano sends a through ball to Raed Saleh who fired past Curmi - 2-0.

Clayton Failla scores Hibernians' opener against Balzan. Photo: Matthew MirabelliClayton Failla scores Hibernians' opener against Balzan. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

5.23pm Floriana make it 3-0 against Lija Athletic and Emerson Marcelina is the scorer.

5.20pm Hibernians take the lead and that's a huge goal for the title race as Clayton Failla headed the ball home from close in and now all the pressure is on Balzan as they must score twice.

The news also arrived at the Ta' Qali Stadium sending the Valletta fans into ruptures. The title seems on the way to the capital club.

5.17pm Birkirkara's comeback is complete as Ognjen Rolovic is played in by Waldemar Acosta and the Montegrin forward fires the ball past Galea to put the Stripes 3-2 up and back in charge in the fourth-place battle.

5.15pm Valletta almost double their lead when Miguel Alba moves past two opponents but his low shot finished just past the upright.

5.15pm Balzan were forced to make a change at the start of the second half as Janjusevic was injured and was replaced by Sean Mintoff.

5.11pm GOAL!! Birkirkara are level. Edward Herrera let fly a scorching drive that gave no chance to Ħamrun goalkeeper Jake Galea.

5.07pm Action resumes at the National Stadium with Valletta kicking off the second half, leading 1-0. Hibs too get proceedings going at Corradino against Balzan with the match locked at 0-0.

Marco Criaco grabbed Ħamrun's second goal against Birkirkara. Photo: Chris Sant FournierMarco Criaco grabbed Ħamrun's second goal against Birkirkara. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

5.01pm It's still all to play for and a goal for Balzan against Hibs may well force a decider while Birkirkara and Hibs have still another 45 minutes to keep alive their top four aspirations so we are set for more excitement.

4.55pm Half time at the National Stadium with Valletta leading Gżira United. If Balzan fail to beat Hibernians the Citizens will be crowned Malta champions for the 24th time in their history.

4.53pm The Birkirkara fans are showing all their anger at the Centenary Stadium as they have targeted the Ħamrun goalkeeper who was heading for the dressing rooms.

4.51pm It's half-time at the Centenary Stadium as Ħamrun lead Birkirkara 2-1 while at Floriana lead Lija 2-0 at the interval to remain in control in the battle for fourth spot.

4.47pm GOAL!! The goals keep flowing as Birkirkara pull a goal back when Vukanac heads the ball home from a Herrera free-kick – 2-1 – comeback on?

4.44pm GOAL!! Floriana double their lead against Lija Athletic with Juninho Cabral converting a penalty.

4.43pm GOAL! More heartache for Birkirkara. Ħamrun Spartans double their lead when Marco Criaco hit a fine inswinger that finishes into the back of the net – 2-0.

4.41pm CLOSE! Balzan have a glorious chance to take the lead when Alfred Effiong moves past two players and plays in Ryan Fenech who with only Hogg to beat he fires the ball just wide.

4.39pm CLOSE! It's all Valletta at the moment as they almost double their lead when Miguel Alba's inswinger is pushed away by Anthony Curmi.

4.38pm CLOSE! Hibernians come close again through Joseph Mbong but Janjusevic saved in two attempts.

4.36pm CLOSE! Valletta almost double their lead when in a swift break Saleh squares the ball into the path of the unmarked Piciollo who miscued his shot much to the relief of the Gżira defence.

4.35pm GOAL! Big goal for Floriana as they take the lead against Lija Athletic. Sebastian Nayar fired in the opener that momentarily puts the Greens in fourth place at the moment.

4.32pm CLOSE! At the Centenary Stadium, Birkirkara are looking for an equaliser. They come close when Ognjen Rolovic serves Edward Herrera who headed straight into the hands of Jake Galea.

4.30pm CLOSE! Balzan threatened again on 23 minutes when Steve Bezzina picked Bojan Kaljevic but his header finished into the sidenetting.

4.35pm This is the situation at present after more than 20 minutes of play...

4.30pm CLOSE Balzan almost found themselves behind when goalkeeper Janjusevic was dispossessed by Jurgen Degabriele but the Malta U-21 striker saw his shot cleared off the line by Elkin Serrano Valero.

Balzan's Ryan Feench moves past Rodolfo Soares, of Balzan. Photo: Matthew MirabelliBalzan's Ryan Feench moves past Rodolfo Soares, of Balzan. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

4.20pm Balzan have also made a bright start against Hibernians.

Inside the first ten minutes a dangerous cross by Ryan Fenech created havoc in the Hibs area but Michael Johnson's header finished wide

4.15pm GOAL!! Another huge goal this time in the battle for fourth spot as Ħamrun Spartans took the lead against Birkirkara.

Marco Criaco fed Alex Nilsson and the Swedish striker, who is facing his former club, rifled the ball home with a firm volley.

4.10pm GOAL!! Valletta are off to a strong start as they took the lead after five minutes.

Kyrian Nwoko made the damage on the right flank and his low cross was controlled by Raed Saleh he could not conclude but in came Matteo Piciollo who fired home.

4.05pm Birkirkara started strongly against Ħamrun Spartans and Edward Herrera came close with a firm drive that was blocked by the Reds goalkeeper.

4.00pm All matches kick off...

3.55pm Birkirkara XI, who need a win against Ħamrun Spartans to wrap up fourth spot, is also out and is the following...

Coach Paul Zammit has fielded his strongest formation as he is looking to end a poor run of results that has seriously jeopardised their chances of playing European football next season.

Still, if they fail to grab a fourth place, Birkirkara can still qualify to the Europa League if they win the FA Trophy.

3.50pm Ten minutes before the match, the Balzan fans are filling their side of the enclosure as the Hibs Ground has become flooded with waves of red and white.

The Hibs Ultras have not decorated their side despite the Paolites still stand a chance to qualify for an European football berth through a combination of results which include the defeat of Birkirkara by Hamrun and Valletta or Balzan winning the FA Trophy.

3.45pm Gżira United have posted a message of gratitude to players and fans for what was an amazing season for them.

3.40pm Away from the title race, the line-ups of the match between Floriana and Lija Athletic are also out.

FLORIANA: E. Akpan, S. Nayar, E. Pepe, E. Ruiz, S. Pisani, J. Cabral, A. Cini, A. Oyama, D. Grima, M. Fontanella, E. Marcelina.

LIJA ATHLETIC: J. Martinelli, P. Babic, R. Sammut, L. Muscat, A. Bello Osagie, A. Sammut, D. Agius, E. Beu, K. Hirose, R. Kooh Sohna, H. Vilfor.

3.35pm Balzan FC have also posted their line-up for the match against Hibs...

3.20pm Valletta FC have posted their starting XI against Gżira.

3.10pm Looking at the corresponding first-round fixtures, Valletta will be wary of the threat posed by Gżira who managed to defeat the Citizens 2-1 courtesy of goals from Amadou Samb and Juan Corbalan. Denni had scored for Valletta.

Balzan, on the other hand, are unbeaten against the top-six placed teams in the Premier League and in the first round meeting with Hibs they managed a 1-0 win, with Alex Alves netting the winner.

3.05pm Both Valletta and Balzan are upbeat on their chances of picking up the win today. Below you can listen the thoughts of Valletta coach Danilo Doncic and Balzan president Anton Tagliaferro.

Video: Mark Zammit Cordina

3pm Good afternoon and welcome to what promises to be an exciting day of Premier League football with Balzan and Valletta battling for the league title while Birkirkara, Hibs and Floriana looking to finish in fourth spot.

Surely, football enthusiasts will be keen to follow closely the duel between Balzan and Valletta who are currently sharing top spot on 55 points.

Balzan will be up against a Hibernians side who are still in the race for fourth spot while Valletta take a Gżira side who have nothing to play for after assuring themselves of a return to European football after wrapping up third place in the standings.

 

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.