Draw enough to reward Sliema with 28th title

Only a twist of fortune this weekend could deny Sliema Burger King from recording their 28th league championship since 1926, the year the Aquatic Sports Association started organising its official competitions.

Sergio Afric's team need only a point from their final match against Marsascala Breakers today to make sure that they win their third championship in a row and so come closer to equalling Neptunes Vodafone's record of four consecutive successes between 1986 and 1989.

Marsascala could constitute themselves to be tricky opponents though. They have beaten Sliema in the preliminary round and also twice got the better of the Blues' nearest challengers Sirens.

Sliema, however, have rediscovered their cutting edge at the right moment, and with current leading scorer, John Soler, and John Paris in superb form they are unlikely to fail in their mission.

Success for them will also mean the fourth consecutive championship for coach Afric who had led Go Mobile Sirens to their fifth title at the start of the new millennium.

This match, which starts at 6 p.m., is preceded by the division two encounter at 5, between Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise and San Giljan, a match that has lost much of its lustre since San Giljan's lead at the top of the table is unassailable following Exiles RMF's victory over the Ta' Xbiex side last week.

Tomorrow the curtains will be brought down on this year's championship when Sirens face Neptunes.

The outcome of this meeting could depend much on the result of today's encounter between Sliema and Marsascala, as, if the south seasiders manage to strike a surprise result by beating Sliema, then Sirens would be more than charged to beat the Balluta Bay side tomorrow, in order to force a decider.

Neptunes, on their part, have failed to obtain the desired results this season and have been twice defeated by the St Paul's Bay team. Their fans feel that it is about time their side started putting this negative record straight. The Reds last won the league title in 1993.

Tomorrow's programme starts at 4 p.m. with the Division Two match between Marsaxlokk and Exiles. This is followed by the non-competitive encounter between Gozitan side Otters and the national youths. The top match is scheduled for 6 p.m.

If a decider is needed to determine the Division One championship, this will be played on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, the KO competition will get underway on Thursday with the opening round from the two competitions for Division One and Two.

KO draws will be made tomorrow. The finals are scheduled for Sunday, September 21.