This evening’s match at Ta’ Qali national stadium between Floriana and Hibernians is not an ordinary match. And apart from being the end-of-the-season encounter in local football, it is also a very important clash for both teams.

Not only the famous Trophy is at stake. In fact, there is also a UEFA Cup berth next season to fight for and that would mean a windfall of Lm30,000 from the UEFA Champions League solidarity fund.

That is certainly an extra incentive for both sets of players to fight for this evening as the match promises to be a keenly contested encounter.

Floriana have the chance to equal Sliema’s record of 19 Trophy victories, while Hibs have won the honour six times so far.

The last time Hibernians reached the final was in season 1997-98 and that proved to be their last Trophy victory as they beat Valletta 2-1.

Floriana’s last victory in the competition dates back to season 1993-94 when they also beat Valletta 2-1 in the final.

Both teams are eager to clinch the Trophy to save a season which must be considered as disappointing from several aspects.

Hibernians had even been considered as strong title challengers in the initial stages of the Bank of Valletta Premier League. They had always been among the leading trio until the start of the Championship Pool. Then, the side seemed to collapse as they lost all their rhythm, going on to finish a distant fourth and risking to remain out of Europe if they fail to win this evening.

Floriana passed through worse moments as they seriously risked relegation to next year’s first division. In fact, it was only in their last commitment - that famous 3-3 draw against Mosta - which kept them among the elite. In that match, they came back from being 0-3 in arrears in the first 30 minutes to clinch the point they needed to make sure of their place in next year’s Premier League.

Having clinched that, the Greens went on to register another glorious moment as they beat arch rivals Sliema Wanderers 2-0 in last week’s semi-final to book their berth in today’s final.

The Paolites also did well to beat newly crowned champions and holders Birkirkara 1-0 last Saturday.

Although they did not set any houses on fire, yet their performance was by far better than those of recent times and it is evident that the players are showing more determination and confidence which are certainly needed in a match like that of this evening.

Probable line-ups:

Floriana: S. Agius, J. Briffa, I. Azzopardi, M. Caruana, R. Gango-Rtsa, R. Oba, C.Cassar, C. Caruana, T. Cilia, M. Micallef, A. Mifsud

Hibernians: M. Muscat, P. Pullicino, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, D.Camilleri, D. Williamson, E. Mbong, E. Agius, A. Cohen, T. Scerri, H. Doda.