Waterpolo: Sliema end 15-year wait to clinch Summer League for a record 32nd time
SLIEMA FRANK SALT........... 15SAN ĠILJAN JP PROJECTS... 12(3-3), (4-4), (4-3), (4-2) The long wait is over. Sliema Frank Salt are champions of Maltese waterpolo for a record 32nd time. Another fine display provided Sliema their first
SLIEMA FRANK SALT........... 15
SAN ĠILJAN JP PROJECTS... 12
(3-3), (4-4), (4-3), (4-2)
The long wait is over. Sliema Frank Salt are champions of Maltese waterpolo for a record 32nd time. Another fine display provided Sliema their first Summer League and a double after 15 years. Throughout these years, Sliema changed several players, coaches and even had various foreigners, but this group of players under the helm of Greek coach Giannis Katrouzanakis, provided paradise to themselves and their supporters.
San Ġiljan improved their performance from last Monday but couldn't stop Sliema's momentum as they suffered the third defeat against Sliema this summer after they were defeated in the knock-out final. This result meant that San Ġiljan failed to win the Summer League for the third consecutive season, which would have been a club record.
Giacomo Cannella proved to be main protagonist as he was the missing piece in the puzzle. Investment this summer in Andreas Galea proved to be worthy in a team that was built around youth several years ago and most notably developed under the late Beto Fernandez. Retribution also for Dino Zammit who had to miss this game due to a broken hand.
Both teams had the lead during the first session as they entered the game both determined to get the upperhand from the start. Benji Cachia put Sliema in front from man-up until Jake Bonavia and Matthew Zammit from man-up gave San Ġiljan the advantage.
Sliema regained the lead through a backhand by Liam Galea and a man-up converted by Jayden Cutajar. The lead was short lived as Zammit equalised with his second goal of the game.
The second session had a different story. San Ġiljan had a one goal advantage four times but Sliema responded every time despite losing huge chances from Giacomo Cannella in front of goal and later from a double man-up.
Aaron Younger showed his worth by scoring two wonderful goals and a penalty. Sliema's foreigner also opened his account with a goal from penalty and a powerful shot that beat Jake Tanti right at the end of the session.
For the first time during the match, a team had more than a goal advantage. Following Nikolai Zammit's goal, Sliema scored three consecutive goals from Liam Galea, Jamie Gambin and Giacomo Cannella all from man-up to take a 10-8 lead.
Younger reduced the margin from penalty, Zach Mizzi scored for Sliema from the centre while Nico Schiavone kept San Ġiljan one goal adrift of their opponents in the last seconds of the session.
Russell Caruana equalised in the beginning of the last session, but Sliema reacted immediately and regained their lead few seconds later from Benji Cachia while Jayden Cutajar doubled the advantage midway through the session.
Darren Zammit reduced the gap from man-up but for the second time in the session, Sliema scored in the following attack from Liam Galea. As the time passed, San Ġiljan's hopes faded until they had a penalty in the last minute following an infringement by Matthew Castillo. But the Sliema goalkeeper saved the penalty as Sliema not only assured themselves the win, but Cannella had even the time to seal the win from penalty.
The final whistle was met with joyful celebrations some of them even with tears as the long wait for success was ended. Celebrations hit the climax when captain John Brownrigg received the much-desired trophy from ASA President Karl Izzo, Minister for Sports Clifton Grima and BOV Official Ernest Agius.
Sliema: N. Grixti, E. Schembri, L. Galea (3), J. Gambin (1), G. Cannella (4), B. Cachia (3), J. Cutajar (2), D. Rizzo (1), J. Brownrigg, A. Galea, Z. Mizzi (1), S. Engerer, M. Castillo, J. Cassar
San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, N. Bugelli, D. Tully, R. Caruana (1), A. Younger (4), M. Zammit (2), J. Bonavia (2), J. Zammit, J. Abela, N. Zammit (1), D. Zammit (1), N. Schiavone (1), G. Borg, G. Bonavia
Referees: Massimo Angileri, Fabio Brasiliano
Marsaxlokk land First Division title in a convincing way
EXILES WELBEE’S........... 11
MARSAXLOKK MFF.......... 22
(2-3), (3-9), (2-4), (4-6)
Youngster Fran Valera was again the protagonist as Marsaxlokk MFF won also the second play-off final in a convincing way, this time defeating Exiles Welbee's 22-11. This was their first title since 2018 in a season where they dominated. Their only negative note was that they didn't claim the double.
Exiles kept the pace with their opponents only for the first session as Marsaxlokk dominated the second session and gave a direction to the development of the game. Sasa Misic's team scored no less than nine goals as they built a comfortable 12-5 lead.
Valera scored another brace in the beginning of the third session to add up his tally to ten goals. Although his match ended early as he was subbed by his coach, Marsaxlokk remained in total control as Exiles knew their fate. At the end of the match, ASA President Karl Izzo and BOV Official Ernest Agius presented the trophy to Marsaxlokk captain Ryan Galea.
Exiles: Z. Dzanovic, Z. Cutajar Licari, Z. Micallef, D. Pace Lupi (1), M. Martellacci, N. Bonavia (1), D. Gogov (4), K. Griscti (2), N. Paris (1), K. Tanti (1), M. Fenech, N. Saliba (1), G. Galea Curmi, S. Cutajar Casha
Marsaxlokk: M. Farrugia, M. Lanzon (1), A. Cook, A. Aquilina (3), T. Agius, J. Valletta (1), R. Spiteri (2), J. Pawley, R. Galea (2), J. Borg Tabone (2), F. Valera (10), R. Attard, A. Fava (1), S. Mifsud
Referees: Neville Mercieca, Andrea Zedda
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