A decider for the League’s third place may not be needed if Birkirkara beat Valletta and reach the U*Bet FA Trophy final this evening. But only as far as a UEFA Cup berth for next season is concerned.

In that case, Birkirkara will assure themselves of that berth, pushing Sliema completely away from European competition. This is because the Wanderers have not applied to take part in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. That would then mean that Hibernians would play in the Intertoto Cup.

If Birkirkara lose today, the decider will determine who will enter the UEFA Cup as Malta’s second entry. If Sliema win that decider, the Blues will play in the UEFA Cup, while Birkirkara will have to play in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Whatever happens however, the decider, still has to be played to determine the placings with which some sponsorship amounts are linked.

It is to be noted that neither Floriana nor Hamrun are eligible for European competition next season. The Spartans have no UEFA licence, while Floriana’s application was rejected by the MFA as it arrived one day after the closing date.