Champions Sliema gun for double
Sirens crave final flourish
Sirens stand between Sliema and a memorable double as the two teams square up in the final of the Division One Knock Out at the National Pool this evening at 6.15.
Expectations of a repeat of last Sunday's cliffhanger between bitter rivals Sliema and Neptunes were dashed on Friday when Sirens eked out an 8-7 victory over the Balluta Bay outfit in the semi-finals.
Neptunes' failure to reach the final of a competition they won last year instantly triggered suggestions of Sliema being firm favourites to win the Knock-Out.
Still feeding on the adrenalin of their 6-4 conquest of Neptunes which gave them their fourth title in a row, the champions breezed through their semi-final against Marsascala as the 6-3 scoreline amply demonstrates.
That said, the resilient manner of Sirens success over Neptunes shows that the 2000 Malta champions have bold intentions to succeed in the KO in a bid to end an otherwise low-key season on a high note.
Led by club stalwart John Farrugia who assumed the coaching reins after the resignation of Joe Attard, the St Paul's Bay team needed their experienced players to shine on Friday if they were to see off Neptunes' threat and these did not let their team down.
Goalkeeper Joe Caruana Dingli turned in a five-star performance with Jonathan Valletta, Neil Cassar and Karl Montfort notching a brace each to guide Sirens to the final.
Needless to say that Sliema are not short on experience with the likes of Josie Cachia, John Paris, Clint Debono and John Soler all playing an instrumental role in their remarkable 29th title triumph.
The last time Sirens collected the Knock-Out trophy was in 2001 while Sliema's last KO success was achieved two years ago when they also landed the double.
A victory for the Blues today will hand them their 22nd KO title while Sirens are bidding for their sixth victory.
Sliema have an edge over their rivals in direct encounters as they have beaten Sirens on the two occasions they met in the league this season - 3-2 and 9-4.
Meanwhile, Ta' Xbiex and Exiles have a chance to make up for their failure to win the league, topped by San Giljan, when they meet in the Division Two Knock-Out final, also today.
Today: Division Two KO final 5.15 p.m. Ta' Xbiex Mermaid's Paradise vs Exiles RMF; Division One KO final 6.15 p.m. Sliema Burger King vs Sirens Go Mobile.