All is set for the season-ending match this evening - the FA Trophy final between Birkirkara and Msida St Joseph - at the national stadium, Ta' Qali (kick-off: 7.30pm).
It is a match which will certainly be worth watching as both clubs will be expected to go out and win the last major honour of the season.
Although Birkirkara might be considered hot favourites to lift the Trophy for a third time in the last four years, Msida will certainly be offering some strong opposition.
While the Stripes will be eager to win this honour to save their season after a disastrous campaign in the Championship which saw them losing out to Sliema, for Msida, it is something different.
The Saints are, in fact, playing in their first major final. It is a historic day for them, especially if they manage to beat Birkirkara and inscribe their name for the first time on the prestigious Trophy. A victory this evening will also put them into next year's UEFA Cup and that would also be another historic moment for this relatively small club which is feeling moments of nostalgia of that team which had reached respectable heights about 30 years ago.
Coach Mario Petrone is keeping his feet to the ground as the Msida clan know that Birkirkara are a stronger outfit. Yet, after having disposed of Hibs and Marsaxlokk in the previous rounds, they cannot see why they cannot do it again, this time against Birkirkara.
The occasion might be too big for the Saints as they have never been in such a situation before, but in players like goalkeeper Omar Borg, considered to be one of the best in the Premier League this season, Italian defender Manuel Boni and former Valletta international Daniel Theuma, former Sliema and Malta midfielder Kevin Sammut, former Hamrun Spartans and Malta Under 21 midfielder Roderick Bajada and Nigerian striker Daniel Nwoke, they have top quality players who can provide the Stripes with a lot of food for thought.
Not to mention other players like Dino Cachia, Johan Zammit, Charles Sciberras, Josef Mifsud, Paul Fenech and Clint Micallef who are now all experienced players in the Premier League.
Petrone certainly has a good blend but as he told me earlier this week, his main problem is the lack of top class substitutes as those available are inexperienced youngsters. He is, in fact, keeping his fingers crossed that there will be no injury problems during the match.
On the other hand, Birkirkara mentor Stephen Azzopardi is lucky to have so many players at his disposal after a season enduring so many injuries to key players.
Both Precious Monye and George Mallia have recovered fully from slight injuries they incurred during last Friday's semi-final against Sliema and are expected to play.
Azzopardi's only doubt for today seems to be Chucks Nwoko who will certainly not be 100 per cent fit because of a recurring back injury. But he may be included in the squad to start on the bench.
Otherwise, Azzopardi will be relying on the majority of the players who have now gone on a 15-match unbeaten streak, the last five of which were victories.
Although the Stripes may seem to have too many guns for the Saints, they have to be on total alert and show full concentration if they are to lift the Trophy for a third time.
Azzopardi is certain that Msida will offer strong opposition as they have a double aim - lifting their first major honour and winning a berth in the UEFA Cup next season.
The match has all the ingredients of an entertaining evening with both sets of supporters making merry on the stands, providing the right atmosphere for the occasion.
Probable line-ups:
Msida SJ: Omar Borg, Clint Micallef, Daniel Theuma, Manuel Boni, Josef Mifsud, Kevin Sammut, Roderick Bajada, Paul Fenech, Dino Cachia, Johan Zammit, Daniel Nwoke.
Birkirkara: J. Haber, Mark Anthony Bonnici, Lino Galea, Precious Monye, Roderick Sammut, William Camenzuli, Harun Doda, Michael Galea, Etienne Barbara, Lucian Dronca, George Mallia.
Police instructions
Yesterday the police issued istructions to be followed by supporters ahead of tonight’s final.
The Msida fans should approach Ta’ Qali from the Mdina/Rabat area and park near the Basketball Pavilion area. Entrance to The National Stadium should be from Enclosure bridge side C, and Millennium Stand side A.
The Birkirkara folowers should proceed to the area from Mosta and enter the stadium from Enclosure bridge side A, and Milennium Stand side C.