The Gozo Snooker Cup, organised at the Leone Band Club (Victoria), by the Gozo Billiards & Snooker Association will draw to a close tomorrow when Jason Vassallo defends the title, this time against up-and-coming Shaun Sultana.

Both names were confirmed over the weekend as they fought their way through the semi-finals. Vassallo beat Peter Pace while Sultana won against Simon Vella, both semi-finalists being household names in the snooker field, and both being valid contenders with a good track record.

This year’s should be the first cup final in the premier division for Shaun Sultana. So far he has been impressive in all his games. Last March he represented Malta in St Petersburg (Russia) in the U/19 section. Vassallo has won the cup every year since 2005.

The match, to be played over the best of 11 frames, shall be staged at the Leone Band Club (Aurora Theatre), starting at 4.30pm. An even greater turnout of fans, supporters and snooker lovers is expected this year. The general public is invited to attend.

The match will be followed by the trophy-presentation ceremony. It will be presided by Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo; and hosted by Dr Michael Caruana, President of the Leone Philharmonic Society. A reception will follow.

A total of 70 players, organised in four divisions have been competing since November 2009. Snooker competitions will proceed with a number of other competitions running on until the opening of the football World Cup in June.