Birkirkara-Hibernians 1-1
(Hibernians win on penalties 4-3)
Birkirkara: D. Simon, L. Galea, P. Monye, W. Camenzuli, E. Barbara, M. Galea, C. Nwoko (JP Mifsud Triganza) K. Scicluna, R. Briffa, G. Mallia, A. Ciantar (R. Sammut).
Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff (H. Doda), T. Scerri, A. Cohen, J. Vella, D. Camilleri, J. Pearson, E. Agius, B. Camilleri (C. Failla).
Referee: L. Sammut. Asst refs: P. Sammut, J. Rapa. 4th official: A. Zammit
Scorers: M. Galea, A. Pulis. (Penalties: D. Camilleri, T. Scerri, A. Cohen and J. Pearson for Hibs; E. Barbara, M. Galea and L. Galea for Birkirkara).
Hibernians won the Quadrangular tournament, previously known as the Super Five Lottery tournament, when they beat Birkirkara 5-4 in the final after a penalty shoot-out.
It was the first time that the Paolites won the tournament.
The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. Michael Galea gave Birkirkara the lead and Adrian Pulis equalised with nine minutes to go.
In the first half, Birkirkara were a superior outfit and the only thing they lacked was a goal which would have given them a narrow, albeit deserved, cushion.
In the second half, play improved as Hibernians finally moved out of their defensive shell to share the exchanges with the Stripes.
And although Birkirkara still enjoyed the lion's share of the exchanges, the Paolites had their own good moments and also created some good scoring opportunities as the elusive Cohen was a continuous threat to Camenzuli & Co.
The two sides had some players missing. The Stripes were without Antoine Zahra, while Hibernians missed the services of Haruna Doda (started on the bench), Essiem Mbong and Peter Pullicino.
The match had a quiet start but on 12 minutes, Birkirkara were close to opening the scoring when Barbara saw his angled effort hitting the side rigging.
Michael Galea had a grounder just missing the target. On 25 minutes, it was again Birkirkara going close. A fine move between Barbara and Galea ended with the latter setting George Mallia, but the latter's low shot was well saved by the diving Muscat.
Muscat was again in action on the 35th minute, saving a low shot from Lino Galea.
Hibs first real threat arrived early in the second half, a freekick from David Camilleri sailing just over the post.
On 51 minutes, Hibs should have scored. Terence Scerri received a ball in the centre of the field, avoided a tackle from Monye and advanced unhindered only to fire well wide of the post with just Simon to beat .
Play became much more interesting as it was then Hibs who brought the best out of Simon through a fine dipper from Cohen, but the goalie saved to a corner.
Briffa twice went close before Birkirkara reaped their reward on 68 minutes. Barbara weaved his way past the Hibs defence on the right to cross low into the area for Michael Galea to score with a low shot.
However, Birkirkara's joy lasted 13 minutes as Hibs equalised on the 81st minute. From a looping David Camilleri freekick, Adrian Pulis headed home from the far side.
Before the end, Muscat twice saved off Camenzuli and Galea, while at the other end, Simon had to block a close-range flick from Doda.
With no decision reached on 90 minutes, penalties had to decide the issue. Hibs emerged on top when in their last two shots, Birkirkara missed through George Mallia and JP Mifsud Triganza. In between Haruna Doda had also seen his shot saved by Simon. But the Paolites triumphed 4-3.