YoHealth Malta Premier - Mosta stun Hamrun as closing round ends

Tuesday, 17 March 2026, 10:07 Last update: about 5 months ago

Simon Farrugia

Photo: Floriana FC

The latest weekend of action in the Maltese Premier League Closing Round produced several decisive results that could have a significant impact on the title race, the battle for the top positions, and the fight to avoid finishing in the lower section of the table. Six matches were played across Saturday and Sunday with drama in almost every fixture.

In fact on Saturday four matches kicked off at the same time with the four main stadia being used namely the National Stadium, Tony Bezzina Stadium, Centenary Stadium and Victor Tedesco Stadium.

One of the most anticipated matches of the weekend ended in a draw. Floriana, currently among the front-runners for the title, were held by Birkirkara in a closely contested encounter. The Stripes showed resilience and twice matched Floriana's lead to earn a valuable point. The result allowed Floriana to remain at the top of the standings and in danger to losing the lead that they had of two points with the Spartans firm favourites to beat basement side Mosta and thus equal the Greens on points.

But the biggest shock of the weekend came on Sunday when Mosta defeated reigning champions Ħamrun Spartans. The result dealt a blow to Ħamrun's title ambitions and allowed Floriana to increase their lead over Hamrun to three points. Mosta, meanwhile, celebrated a significant victory against one of the strongest sides in the league.

Sliema Wanderers registered an important win against Gżira United. The Blues produced an efficient performance, taking their chances and managing the game well to secure all three points. The result boosts Sliema's hopes of improving their position in the Closing Round standings. Gżira United remain searching for consistency though they will be participating with the big guns contrary to the Blues who will be playing in the Bottom Six.

In the clash between two sides fighting near the lower positions, Tarxien Rainbows and Zabbar St. Patrick shared the points. The draw keeps both teams under pressure as they continue battling to secure a safer position in the standings. Zabbar managed to save the match with the last kick of the match through veteran Mario Fontanella.

The match between Marsaxlokk and Valletta ended in a 1-1 draw. Chances were at a premium and this result means both that sides remain within reach of the leading pack but dropped points may prove costly as the season approaches its decisive stages. For Valletta this win may guarantee them a return to European football if Floriana and Hamrun take the first two spots at the end of the Closing Round Top Six.

And finally Naxxar showed determination and discipline to edge a tight contest against Hibernians. The win represents a crucial three points for the Lions which meant that they made history by grabbing a top six place. As for Hibernians their fate was already sealed before this final matchday of the Closing Round.

'The team is growing'

- Paul Zammit, coach B'Kara FC

'We wanted to keep on fighting till the end in order to make it to the Top Six. We knew it was a difficult mission but we give it our all'. These were the comments expressed by Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit following his team's 2-2 draw against Birkirkara. Zammit added. 'The team is growing. I have been in charge for the past 10 matches and we only lost two of them. We are also in the semi finals of the FA Trophy. So there are also some positives. And above all the will that the players showed and kept fighting till the end means a lot. We were playing against one of the best teams of the league'

'We gave away four points in two matches '

- Daniel Portela, coach Floriana FC

'I am very disappointed since we could have won the match. But football is like that and we have to be more smart'. Daniel Portela, Floriana's coach after his team was held by Birkirkara in their last match of the Closing Round. Portela opened more. 'We gave away four points in two matches, against Hamrun Spartans and Birkirkara conceding with the last kick of the match. We can't give away possession in the last 30 seconds. The players are smart but they have to be smarter. Maybe it's also my fault also but we have to address this situation because it is costing us a lot.'

CURIOSITIES

v The result of the Mosta - Hamrun match was a surprise given that the Spartans could have gone at the summit had they won the match. But looking back at what happened last season, Mosta had beaten Hamrun in three of the four encounters between the two sides. Indeed a bogey team.

v The result between Valletta and M'Xlokk means that the former are with a great chance of returing to European participation. If Floriana and Hamrun S. take the first two places they will be guaranteed European football since they are in third place of the accumulator table.

v Naxxar Lions and Gzira United made it to the Top Six for the first time. On the other hand it is also a first for Sliema W. and Birkirkara who will be playing in the Bottom Six of the Closing Round. It is also a first time that a team finished in the bottom two places of the Opening Round Bottom Six and makes it to the Top Six of the Closing Round.

CLOSING ROUND TABLE

Floriana 25

Ħamrun S. 22

Marsaxlokk 19

Naxxar L. 18

Valletta 17

Gżira Utd. 17

Sliema W. 16

Birkirkara 13

Hibernians 11

Zabbar SP 10

Tarxien R. 6

Mosta 4

RESULTS - MD 27

Marsaxlokk - Valletta 1-1

Sliema W. - Gżira Utd. 2-1

Naxxar L. - Hibernians 2-1

Birkirkara - Floriana 2-2

Tarxien R. - Zabbar SP 1-1

Mosta - Ħamrun S. 2-1

NEXT MATCHES - MD 28

Friday 10th April

National Stadium

7.00pm Sliema W. - Hibernians

Saturday 11th April

Gozo Stadium

2.30pm Naxxar L. - Floriana

5.30pm M'Xlokk - Ħamrun S.

National Stadium

2.30pm B'Kara - Zabbar SP

5.30pm Tarxien R. - Mosta

Saturday 12th April

Gozo Stadium

2.30pm Valletta - Gżira Utd.

CLEAN SHEETS

Ħamrun S. 17

Valletta 12

Birkirkara 12

Floriana 11

Gżira Utd. 9

Marsaxlokk 8

Sliema W. 7

Żabbar SP 6

Mosta 5

Naxxar L. 4

Hibernians 3

Tarxien R. 1

TOP SCORERS

L. Villela (Hibernians) 11

Y. Messias (Valletta) 11

J. Mbong (Hamrun S.) 10

J. Grech (Floriana) 10

P. Emanuel (Mosta) 9

P. Santiago Cejas (Zabbar SP) 9

C. Padilha Mendonca (Hibernians) 8

A. Penha da Costa (Gżira Utd.) 8

Ailton Soares (M'Xlokk) 8