The 2011 Winter League gets underway this afternoon at the Tal-Qroqq national pool where the opening matches are being held.

Defending champions Sliema have to wait until next week to start their commitments while the match of the day will be the Balluta Bay derby between summer league champions Neptunes and their rivals San Giljan.

Six teams are taking part – Neptunes, Sliema, San Giljan, Sirens, Marsascala and Exiles, while the ASA Under 17 side will also be taking part although their role will be non-competitive.

The battle for the title of winter champions is expected to be contested once again by the two top clubs, Sliema and Neptunes, but San Giljan and Sirens may both provide stiff opposition.

In today’s programme, Marsascala face Exiles in the opening match at 4pm, while the San Giljan-Neptunes clash starts at 5.15pm. Sirens will face the ASA Under-17 side in the final match on the programme. It starts at 6.30pm.