The Taliananet Christmas Cup was played at the Valletta Subbuteo Club in St Christopher Street recently with Samuel Bartolo beating Mark Gauci in the final.

The standard was very high and the atmosphere between the players was that of friendship.

The final was an enthralling encounter between Mark Gauci and Samuel Bartolo. Mark made it to the final by means of a walkover in the quarter final and a win over Vince Mifsud in the semis.

Bartolo, on the other hand, had to battle it out with Jason Pisani in the quarter finals and after playing extra time against Mario Camilleri in the semis.

The final started off with both Mark and Samuel playing attacking football. It was Mark, though, who drew first blood after an excellent attacking move but his joy was shortlived with Samuel drawing before half time.

The second half was similar to the first. After a couple of minutes into the half, Samuel scored what proved to be the decisive goal. Mark attacked relentlessly but it was to no avail with the final match ending in Samuel’s favour. Final score, Samuel Bartolo 2, Mark Gauci 1.