Neptunes are waterpolo champions for the 28th time after beating Sliema in Game 2 of the league final to end a five-year wait for the title.

The Reds, who had already topped the general standings, produced another commanding display after winning the opening game of the final and never allowed their neighbours to seriously challenge their grip on the championship.

Neptunes made the perfect start, taking the lead after just 10 seconds when Ivan Nagaev converted a penalty after goalkeeper Benji Busuttil was penalised. Nagaev was at the centre of a blistering opening, setting up Sam Gialanze for 2-0 before creating another opportunity for Jake Bajada to make it 3-0.

Sliema responded through Jayden Cutajar from the penalty spot, but Gialanze restored Neptunes' three-goal advantage before Steve Camilleri made it 5-1 from another penalty.

A time-out briefly helped Sliema, with Benji Cachia reducing the deficit, but Mark Castillo and Liam Galea extended Neptunes' advantage. Francesco Di Fulvio pulled one back before Marko Zuvela restored the four-goal cushion for an 8-4 score at the end of the opening session.

Neptunes continued to dominate in the second session. Nagaev scored twice more to complete his hat-trick, while Camilleri and Nagaev added further goals to put Neptunes 11-5 ahead.

Matthew Castillo also played a key role, producing several important saves as Sliema attempted to recover. Jake Cachia and Daniel Rizzo reduced the arrears to 11-7, but Neptunes remained firmly in control.

Camilleri converted another penalty early in the third session, and after Benji Cachia replied, Zuvela restored Neptunes' momentum. Jordan Camilleri and Julian Valletta also scored as the Reds took a 15-10 lead into the final session.

By then, the outcome was effectively decided. Gialanze made it 16-11 before Nagaev produced one of the highlights of the match with an excellent backhand. Camilleri added another to make it 18-11, while Sliema's late response came through three goals from Sam Engerer and another from Rizzo.

The victory ended Neptunes' wait for the championship and brought their 28th league title, with the trophy returning to the Reds for the first time since 2021.

Earlier, Birżebbuġa were crowned First Division champions after winning Game 2 against Marsaxlokk, completing a memorable league and cup double.

Marsaxlokk fought hard to force a decisive third game, with Nikola Bogdanovic scoring seven goals. Birżebbuġa, however, edged the second session 5-4 before taking control in the closing stages.

Mario Radulovic was decisive for the champions, matching Bogdanovic's seven-goal tally as Birżebbuġa secured victory and completed a season in which they had led the standings from start to finish.

The title capped a campaign in which Birżebbuġa consistently lived up to their status as favourites and confirmed themselves as the dominant side in the First Division.

 

 

 

SLIEMA 15

NEPTUNES 18

(4-7, 3-4, 3-4, 5-3)

SLIEMA: B. Busuttil, F. di Fulvio 1, L. Galea 1, J. Gambin, J. Cassar, B. Cachia 2, J. Cutajar 1, D. Rizzo 2, E. Schembri, J. Cachia 3, J. Chircop, D. Zammit 2, M. Bonello Dupius, S. Engerer 3, S. Busuttil.

NEPTUNES: Matthew Castillo, M. Lanzon, S. Gialanze 2, L. Chetcuti, J. Camilleri 1, J. Valletta, S. Camilleri 4, I. Nagaev 5, Mark Castillo 1, J. Bajada 1, M. Azzopardi, M. Zuvela 2, M. Rossi, A. Fava.

Refs: A. Severo, R. Colombo.

BIRŻEBBUĠA 17

MARSAXLOKK 12

(3-5, 5-4, 3-4, 1-4)

MARSAXLOKK: M. Farrugia, Z. Cutajar Licari, N. Bogdanovic 7, N. Spiteri, A. Buhagiar K. Dowling, S. Mifsud 1, J. Pawley, B. Lewis, J. Borg Tabone 1, J. Cauchi, E. Mallia 2, A. Micallef, Z. Schranz, B. Schranz.

BIRŻEBBUĠA: M. Sladden, N. Bugelli 2, M. Manara, J. Abdilla, J. Ciantar 4, B. Grech, M. Radulovic 7, A. Aquilina, D. Farrugia, M. Cutajar 1, M. Aquilina 1, M. Curmi, S. Livori, L. Axisa, R. Bugelli 2.

Refs M. Angileri, S. Licari.