Hamrun Spartans retained the league title after beating Birkirkara 1-0 in front of a bumper crowd at Ta' Qali.

Hamrun were the better team on the day in a tense and low profile final.

Thus the 360 Sports Malta Premier League in a new format ended in a way that the Malta Premier League had dreamt of. A final four decision to attract large crowds at the stadium.

In the end Hamrun rose to the occasion and peaked at the right moment to claim the title, the eleventh one in their history.

Birkirkara and Floriana, arguably the two most consistent sides this season, finished empty handed and will be desperate for some glory as they face each other on Wednesday in the semi final of the FA trophy.

Undoubtedly the new format favoured the return of the Spartans, who had a disappointing Opening Round and would have never recoverd in the old format.

Back to yesterday's showdown, the match lacked quality as the two sides did not produce high quality football.

The final four matches were rather disappoinitng in fact as maybe there is too much at stake,

Goal scoring actions were few, very few throughout the 90 minutes.

In the first half Talison had a good opportunity from an acute angle but Volpe blocked, and Prsa missed a good opportunity in front of goal.

However Prsa, surely the player of the match, made an important save when he twice cleared off the goal line following a Maxuell Maia shot.

On 63 minutes Hamrun scored what proved to be the title winning goal. Cadenovic's short corner towards Joseph Mbong who made his way inside the area and passed towards Prsa who scored from close range.

Birkirkara's reaction was rather weak and chaotic and their only chance came late in the game when Satariano's drive slightly missed the target.

Hamrun had a couple of good counter attacks but Raphael Lopes Silva failed to score after a Menacho good run on the right.

The final whistle gave way to Hamrun's celebrations which went on through the night in St. Joseph High street.

For coach Winston Muscat, who took over the team from Alessandro Zinnari half way through the season, this was the first major honour won after winning a couple of promotions with St. Patrick and Vittoriosa to the Premier league.  

One final comment on the presentation that brought the curtain down  on the 360 Sports Malta Premier. This presentation ceremony was chaotic, hilarious at times. A real pity indeed.

Photo: Domenic Aquilina