Hamrun and Floriana meet this evening in the first semi-final. It starts at 7.30pm.

Having ended their league campaign in the bottom two places in the Championship Pool, the two sides are now earnestly looking forward to finish the season on a top note with success in this competition.

However, even if they go on to win the Trophy, neither club will be able to represent Malta in next season’s UEFA Cup. Hamrun have not been granted a licence while Floriana’s application was rejected as it was handed in one day later than the closing date.

The Greens have an outstanding record in this competition and it is obvious that they will be going all out to do what they failed to do two seasons ago when they reached the final, only to lose narrowly to Hibernians.

Against the Spartans, they must be aware that they will be facing a bunch of enthusiastic youngsters as well as some experienced players who enabled the Spartans to have a satisfactory season, having just been promoted from the first division last summer.

The Spartans are regarding their season as a positive one. In fact, it is the first time, after 13 whole years, that the club, is in a Trophy semi-final.

Their numerous fans will be expected to give their boys a big push this evening as they hope to beat the Greens and reach the final themselves.

Their main hopes lie on striker Gaetan Spiteri who had scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 demolition of first division side Dingli Swallows in the quarter-finals.

The experience is behind goalie Sullivan, centre back Precious Monye and striker Stefan Sultana, while another striker, Alfred Effiong, could be a thorn in the Floriana defence on his day.

On their part, the Greens coach Danilo Doncic should be able to field his standard formation and that means he may be able to make use of Sunday Eboh at the back after he missed the last league match against Sliema through suspension.