Balance prevails as competition enters decisive stage

The last matches from the first round in Division One, between today and tomorrow, are set to add more excitement to this summer's championship which is turning out to be the most balanced one we've had for many years.

So far, none of the four teams in the top flight have managed to impose any kind of supremacy on the other contenders with the decisive straight for home coming up.

Champions Sliema are still enjoying a slim one-point lead at the top of the standings but they will have to improve on their last two showings to entertain hopes of a record fifth league title in succession.

Sliema started the championship phase with a 4-2 upset to Marsascala and were then held to a draw by Sirens. Tomorrow Sliema face derby rivals Neptunes who are also recovering from a couple of poor showings that almost led to coach Sergio Afric quitting his post.

Not surprisingly, the derby will again steal most of the limelight but focus will also shift on the other two challengers, Sirens and Marsascala.

Sliema and Neptunes are the most popular teams in the league, no doubt, but it is probably thanks to the efforts of Sirens and Marsascala this season that the championship is experiencing a mini-revival at club level both in play and entertainment.

In their last match against Sliema, Sirens' fighting spirit came to the fore as they cancelled a three-goal deficit in the last session and some also contend they should have beaten the champions on the day.

Jonathan Valletta showed glimpses of his old sparkle in that match and more of the same waterpolo artistry from this prolific scorer could mean serious trouble for Marsascala this evening.

Pierre Borg's team are taking each match as it comes.

Borg is not exerting too much pressure on his players but another positive result today will draw the team closer to a second title and that's not a chance to miss.