Today’s second semi-final between Valletta and Birkirkara can be described as a final. Yet it’s not and both teams have their own aspirations about winning tonight.

It is obvious that both will be out in search of a place in the final. On one hand, Valletta have made it clear they want to dispel all bad memories of the 4-0 humiliation suffered last Saturday in their final league match against Marsaxlokk. On the other hand, Birkirkara are well aware that they will earn a UEFA Cup berth as well, apart from reaching the final.

The atmosphere preceding this match seems to be reaching fever peak as both sets of supporters are expected to turn out in large numbers to support their respective teams on such an important occasion.

The citizens have already won the Premier title and are now looking forward to conclude the season on a high after their recent disappointments with a Trophy victory that would land them a memorable double in Victor Sciriha’s first year as president.

Today, coach Paul Zammit will certainly have at his disposal a more motivated side than last Saturday even if he will have to do without one of his best defensive elements – Justin Grioli – who is suspended. On the other hand, Zammit will now have striker Frank Temile available after having missed the Marsaxlokk match through injury.

The citizens have been on top of the Stripes this season, especially in the Championship Pool where they took four points from a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 victory. That kept the Stripes from reaching them at the top and those results were probably what Valletta needed to win this year’s title.

However, they cannot take things for granted. And they are aware that John Buttigieg’s outfit is not easy to overcome. Suffice to say that in the above two matches, the Stripes appeared to be heading to victories on each occasion only for Valletta to hit back in the dying moments of each game to turn the results in their favour.

In such a scenario, one expects to watch an interesting and keenly fought match which should keep the expected large crowd on tenterhooks till the very end.

For the record, Valletta are seeking their 14th Trophy victory, while Birkirkara have won it on three occasions so far, although they have been in the final six times in the last nine editions.