BOV K.O. Premier – Final

Sliema Frank Salt     17     Neptunes Emirates     16

(11-11 after overtime) & (6-5 on Penalties)

(3-2, 1-2, 3-3, 3-3) – (1-0)(0-1)

This match seemed to never end. It was a topsy turvy game, with the lead changing hands a number of times, only for it to end all-square, and extra time came into it. It was still not enough, as both sides were locked together, and penalties had to come into the reckoning. Sliema were the first to miss, but Ryan Coleiro then covered himself with glory, as he saved in the first turn of five penalties, and then denied Steve Camilleri, as Sliema celebrated their 26th K.O. honour.

Damir Buric gave Sliema the first lead, but Neptunes overturned the score, with Michele Stellini and Steve Camilleri strikes. Sliema came back with John Brownrigg and Timmy Sullivan goals, to lead after the opening session. Neptunes scored twice in the next period, as Niki Lanzon and Tamas Molnar found the back of the Sliema net, but the latter side tied the score, through Sullivan again, for a 4-4 halftime score.

It was Sullivan once more, after the break, to push Sliema in front, but Molnar took Neptunes level. Jerome Gabarretta gave Sliema another advantage, only for Camilleri and Lanzon to take Neptunes on another lead. Lanzon then was out on fouls, and Mark Meli made it 7-7 for Sliema, at the end of the third session. A Molnar penalty gave Neptunes a further advantage, and Sullivan was also out on fouls for Sliema., who had Buric taling them level. Camilerri took the champions into another lead, only for Gergely Kiss to equalize. Stellini put Neptunes ahead, late in the match, but Sliema saved the game, with another Kiss goal, and it was overtime.

John Soler lobbed Sliema into an advantage, in the first session, but late into the second period Molnar tied the score for Neptunes, and the game had to go into penalty taking.

Buric and Brownrigg scored for sliema, with Molnar and Camilleri replying for Neptunes. Nikolai Lubrano had his penalty saved by Alan Borg Cole, and Neptunes went ahead through Stellini, Kiss scored for Sliema, but Timmy Agius was foiled by Ryan Coleiro, and it was level once more. Soler and Clint Mercieca scored at each end, and the second round, with sudden death started. Buric and Molnar both converted, with Brownrigg giving Sliema another lead. Up stepped Camilleri for Neptunes, who had his shot blocked by Coleiro, and Sliema were the Premier K.O. winners, amidst wild rejoicing.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Dr. Stefan Buontempo, assisted by the BOV Chief Officer, Peter Perotti, and the ASA president, Joe Caruans Curran, presented the winning medals, and Sliema captain, John Soler, received the coveted trophy, as his side won the season’s second major honour.

Sliema: R. Coleiro, D. Buric 2, N. Lubrano , T. Sullivan 3, M. Meli 1, J. Soler 1,     

              G. Kiss 2, E. Aquilina , J. Brownrigg 1, J. Gabarretta 1, D. Paolella ,                     

              M. Spiteri Staines , D. Abela

Neptunes:  A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, A. Sammut , M. Stellini 2, T. Agius ,

                 A. Ciric , S. Camilleri 3, J. Camilleri , M. Lanzon , S. Gravina ,

                 B. Lanzon  , T. Molnar 4, C. Mercieca

Referees: M. Dalli, F. Collantoni

 

  BOV K.O. 1 Div. – Final

Valletta land all three seasonal honours

M’scala Mor€     8     Valletta United    12

(1-3, 3-2, 1-2, 3-5)

 

It was a memorable season for the Citizens, as they won all three honours pertaining to their category. After landing the Sports Journalists Cup and the league title, they also won the K.O.. at the expense of M’scala, where it was the final session whichfinally had Valletta easing away from their adversaries, to make sure of this honour.

Valletta took a three goal advantage, with M’scala then missing a penalty, but they managed to reduce the arrears. In the second sessiom M’scala crept closer, to go just a goal behind at the interval, on a 4-5 score., but they had John Licari sent off just before the end of the session.

Valletta scored twice after the break, but M’scala pulled a goal back, at 5-7. In the final quarter the Citizens made sure with a three goal spree, and although M’scala drew a little closer, it was not enough, with the Citizens keeping their distance ahead, to win their third seasonal honour.

After the match The BOV Chief Officer, Peter Perotti, and the ASA president, Joe Caruana Curran, distributed the winners’ medals, and captain, Simon Cachia, received the winners’ trophy.

 

M’scala: K. Schembri, K. Rizzo Naudi , M. Pace , B. Muscat , J. Kayes 4,

              L. Grixti , J. Licari 1, J. Cremona , G. Hedegus 2, A. Sammut 1,

              D. Cassar , C. Mifsud , L. Caruana 1

Valletta: R. Sciortino, S. Meli ,  R. Calleja , M. Korolija 5, N. Bonello Ghio,,

              S. Cachia , M. Cordina 1, C. Zammit 2, C. Debono , R. Scerri 1,

              A. Arrigo , D. Filipovic 3, Z. Sciberras

Referees: M. Angileri, A. DeRaffaele