Valletta rallied to equalise in the second half and claim the season’s first honour by virtue of an entertaining 2-2 draw which brought them four points to finish top of the standings.

After taking an early lead, their depleted defence succumbed to two Birkirkara goals, as the Stripes looked capable of making a bold comeback going 2-1 up by halftime.

But Birkirkara showed too many flaws in defence, their attack lacked the required punch and they relied too much on Trevor Cilia and Alan Tabone for inventive in midfield.

They made three changes from the side that drew against Floriana on Monday, dropping Joseph Zerafa, Jacope Camilli and Mat Clarke. Instead they gave a start to their two recent Brazilian recruits Antonio Gomes and Davis Da Silva. The former played as central defender but at times looked slow and far off the pace. Da Silva was only a peripheral figure, starting as a wide player on the left with Argentine Victor Rena as central striker. Eventually, they swapped roles and Birkirkara started to look more lively.

The Stripes had been trailing by Valletta’s tenth minute goal. Zammit, wearing the captain’s arm band yesterday, sent a cross which was laid down by Briffa in the path of the unmarked William Barbosa to volley past the helpless keeper Mora.

That gave Valletta, who only needed a draw to win the competition, an encouraging start. Again bereft of regulars such as Jonathan Caruana, Ramon Dos Santos, Jamie Pace and Terence Scerri, due to injuries and suspensions, Valletta took a stranglehold in midfield with Edmond Agius and Ryan Fenech in a defensive role and Zongo, Denni and Zammit supporting the Brazilian forward Barbosa, again given the nod as new signing Alfre Effiong stayed on the bench. Denni’s overhead kick narrowly missed the target on 20 minutes.

Birkirkara were handed a lifeline on 27 minutes. Cilia played a delicate pass forward inside the Valletta area towards the advancing Rena whose effort hit the outstretched arm of the sliding defender Borg to concede a penalty. Alan Tabone stepped up to beat keeper Hogg and level matters.

That heralded Birkirkara’s best spell.

On the half hour, Muscat’s shot from the edge of the area forced Hogg to turn the ball past the post into a corner and two minutes later Muscat again went close, heading Cilia’s floating cross from the left, narrowly off target.

On 37 minutes Dyson Falzon limped off injured, replaced by Gilbert Agius. Valletta were forced to make tactical changes in defence. Edmond Agius dropped as right back, Roderick Briffa moved to the left.

But two minutes before the break, Birkirkara struck again. Fenech played a square pass to Alan Tabone. This time keeper Hogg was rendered helpless by his low drive from outside the area.

Birkirkara put in Shaun Bajada for Muscat soon after the restart but Valletta equalised on 56 minutes. Another late tackle by Gomes on the edge of the area, procured the free kick which Zammit executed well for Denni Dos Santos to head in from close distance.

The balance shifted dramatically in Valletta’s favour. Zammit headed in Fenech’s cross but the goal was disallowed for an offside position.

Past the hour, Denni flashed like lightning past two opponents, crossed low for the advancing Barbosa who was blocked by the keeper and then sent the rebound wide. Zammit’s strike went just wide and on 65 minutes Barbosa played a good ball to substitute Sammut who was denied by keeper Mora.

Birkirkara’s defence looked in disarray, unable to contain the forays of Denni but the Stripes showed up on 69 minutes with a tame headed effort by Rena on Cilia’s testing cross.

Their best move before the end came from a well executed set piece. Agius played a free kick to Fenech who crossed for Rena but the Argentine headed over the bar.

Valletta held on to Birkirkara’s late frantic efforts to obtain their requisite - a draw which was just enough to see them win this year’s Euro Cup.

The trophy was presented to the winners by MFA senior vice president Carmelo Bartolo after the final whistle.

Birkirkara: J. Mora, A. Agius, P. Fenech, T. Cilia, A. Tabone, A. Decesare, V. Rena, D. Da Silva (T. Vella), A. Buhagiar, A. Gomes (M. Savinovs), R. Muscat (S. Bajada)

Valletta: A. Hogg, S. Borg, I. Azzopardi, R. Briffa, E. Agius, R. Fenech, D. Falzon (G. Agius), I. Zammit, D. Dos Santos, O. Zongo (K. Sammut), W. Barbosa (K. Magro)

Referee: A.M. Sant

Asst.refs: K. Borg, C. Francalanza

4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: W. Barbosa 10, A. Tabone 27 pen, 43, D. Dos Santos 56

Yellow cards: A. Decesare, P. Fenech, S. Borg, A. Tabone, A. Gomes, E. Agius

Attendance: 1,545