Sliema Wanderers, Birkirkara with most number of nominees

Sliema Wanderers' emphatic title triumph last season has enhanced the prospects of their coach and players of striking success in the second Westin Malta Football Awards.

The same can also be said of Birkirkara, the FA Trophy and Super Cup winners, who provide the most number of nominees in the awards open for players and coaches.

As Saturday's presentation ceremony at the Westin Dragonara Resort looms larger, the organisers of this contest have just announced the names of the three finalists in each of the 10 main categories.

Sliema, who have ensured some good publicity for Maltese football following their 2-0 victory over Latvia's Skonto Riga in the first leg of their Champions League first qualifying round tie, have no fewer than six finalists in five awards. Their coach Edward Aquilina is also one of three finalists for the best coach award.

Birkirkara mentor Stephen Azzopardi has been nominated for the best coach award whereas four members of the Stripes squad are in the final reckoning for five awards.

The three finalists in each category emerged after an extensive voting process involving 28 football journalists and the captains, coaches and presidents of the 10 Premier League clubs in season 2002-2003.

Five players have been named for two awards - Noel Turner (Sliema), Michael Galea (Birkirkara), William Camenzuli (Birkirkara), Lucian Dronca (Birkirkara) and Riad Gango-Rtsa (Floriana).

Hibernians striker Adrian Mifsud, winner of the Best Player and Best Striker awards last year, has again emerged as one of the three finalists for the Best Striker award.

The three nominations for the best goal award will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, two high-ranking officials from Italian club Lazio are expected to be present for the awards' presentation night on Saturday. These are Fabio di Marzantonio, secretary general of the SS Lazio foundation, and Felice Pulici, director general at the Institutional Reports section within Lazio.

The finalists...

¤ Best Forward - Danilo Doncic (Sliema W.); Michael Galea (Birkirkara); Adrian Mifsud (Hibs).

¤ Best Midfielder - Massimo Grima (Sliema W.); Essien Mbong (Hibernians); Noel Turner (Sliema W.).

¤ Best Defender - William Camenzuli (Birkirkara); Lucian Dronca (Birkirkara); Riad Gango-Rtsa (Floriana).

¤ Best Goalkeeper - Murphy Akanji (Sliema W.); Saviour Darmanin (Pietà H.); Mario Muscat (Hibernians).

¤ Most Promising Youngster - Roderick Bajada (Hamrun S.); Roderick Briffa (Birkirkara); Kevin Sammut (Sliema W.).

¤ Best Coach - Edward Aquilina (Sliema W.); Stephen Azzopardi (Birkirkara); Atanas Marinov (Hamrun S.).

¤ Best Referee - Charles Agius; Adrian Casha; Lorry Sammut.

¤ Best Assistant Referee - Philip Agius; Ingmar Spiteri; James Vella Clark.

¤ Best Foreign Player - Lucian Dronca (Birkirkara); Riad Gango-Rtsa (Floriana); Milen Penchev (Valletta).

¤ Best Maltese Player - William Camenzuli (Birkirkara); Michael Galea (Birkirkara); Noel Turner (Sliema W.).