Vindicated!

It was all smiles, hugs and kisses for the Birkirkara players on Thursday as they climbed the stairs leading to the VIP zone of the Ta` Qali National Stadium for the presentation of the Rothmans Trophy.

All of them were congratulated for their achievement after a 1-0 victory over Sliema Wanderers earned them their first ever cup success but emotions ran highest when Victor Zammit, the club chairman, approached the presentation area.

Sporting a broad smile on his face which reflected his joy as much as his relief at having led his club to another milestone, the softly-spoken Zammit gleefully accepted the congratulations from fans and sporting rivals alike.

Zammit is widely credited with Birkirkara`s transformation from perennial strugglers to genuine challengers but despite his mammoth investment in the club, he only had one league championship to show for his efforts prior to Thursday`s victory. The general feeling after Birkirkara`s success was that Zammit`s bold effort had finally been vindicated.

"At last Birkirkara have won the Trophy after five failed attempts. This success comes at a very crucial time for our club... the team had made a stunning start to the season but then injuries disrupted our progress.

"Notwithstanding all these mishaps, the team dug in, fought bravely and this success is the just reward for our efforts," Zammit told The Times.

"I want to say a big thank you to the players for the marvellous job they have done today. The coach, committee members, directors and our fans have also contributed richly to this success. Our supporters were brilliant... exceptional."

Thursday`s final was a tense, balanced affair decided by a solitary Matthew Calascione goal just before the end of a first half in which the Wanderers had looked the more enterprising side.

"Sliema enjoyed more possession and were more adventurous at first. In the second half, they went all-out in attack to equalise but we created more goalscoring chances than them. Our players showed great commitment and determination and credit also goes to our coach Stephen Azzopardi for the tactical disposition of the team."

The Birkirkara supremo has endured his fair share of criticism over the last few years, mainly aimed at his penchant to splash big money on high-profile players in his early years in club administration.

Faced with the question whether he feels vindicated by the club`s KO triumph, Zammit said: "I may have been over-enthusiastic when I first became president of Birkirkara in the sense that I wanted the team to be successful straightaway.

"But experience has now taught me that you have to be patient. Over the last few years, we have introduced a number of young players in our squad and this policy is paying its dividends. Today, I would rather have a blend of youth and experience in my squad rather than a team of stars," Zammit said.

With the 2001-2002 season almost over, the focus of the local sporting public will now shift to the wheeling and dealing in the transfer market. Although Birkirkara are not expected to feature among the big spenders in the summer, they will certainly look to reinforce their squad with a couple of additions.

However, Zammit refused to comment on his shopping list, preferring to savour his club`s first trophy success.

"Having just won the Trophy, I wish I can confirm all our players for next season. It`s been a hard, long season for our club but notwithstanding the difficulties, we have finished third in the league and won the trophy.

"Our performance this season fills us with renewed optimism for the future because we all believe that we have laid the foundations for more success in the years to come," Zammit concluded.

William Camenzuli is the epitome of Birkirkara`s new transfer policy. Snapped up from Floriana two seasons ago, the 22-year-old Camenzuli has come of age this season with a string of exhilarating displays that should make him one of the leading candidates for the MFA Footballer of the Year award together with Hibs` striker Adrian Mifsud.

"Third place in the league, qualification to the UEFA Cup and Rothmans Trophy winners... not a bad finish for a team plagued by so many injuries to key players throughout the season. We have had to dig deep in our resources but we gave our hearts out in every game and the Trophy rewards our sacrifice," the versatile Camenzuli said.

"This is the first major honour in my career and I am very pleased with my overall performance this season. I dedicate this honour to my parents and girlfriend," Camenzuli said.

Camenzuli`s rapid progress in the last two seasons has heightened expectations that he may become the latest Maltese player to earn a contract abroad. He was offered a trial with English club Stoke City, who have just secured promotion to Division One, but was unable to attend due to international commitments.

"My ambition remains to get an opportunity to play abroad but I am very happy at Birkirkara. My move from Floriana two years ago was driven by my desire to play for a club that is challenging for honours on a regular basis.

"Floriana have not been among the main contenders for several years now but Birkirkara fitted the bill perfectly," Camenzuli remarked.

Thanks to their 1-0 defeat of Sliema, Birkirkara now have a chance of collecting another trophy, the Super Cup, but first they have to contend with the challenge of champions Hibernians tomorrow.

Camenzuli was upbeat about his team`s chances of achieving their second cup feat in the space of a few days. "We are looking forward to it and we will certainly try our best to get another honour under our belt."