News 15/09/2002

It's anyone's title now

RAY ABDILLA speaks to waterpolo magnets Marco Manara and Karl Izzo. Both made a name for themselves with Sliema ASC. But now whilst Manara at 38 is still at Sliema, Izzo is Neptunes' Assistant Coach. Both speak about this year's fascinating League Championship and about last Wednesday's titanic clash between Sliema and Neptunes.

With Sliema's win over Neptunes last Wednesday it's anyone's title now. It is practically a three horse race between Sliema, Neptunes and Sirens. There's not much difference between the three and it all depends on the day. All teams are capable of beating each other as happened last Wednesday when Sliema were awesome in their victory over Neptunes at 8-4.

MaltaToday spoke to two of the most experienced waterpolo players on the island. Marco Manara, a true blue who won every honour on the island and played many matches for the national team, and Karl Izzo, a good attacking left hander who had joined San Giljan following successes with Sliema and who at present is Neptunes' Assistant Coach.

Manara was not part of the team that won the Championship last year as he had decided to quit the game. But he missed waterpolo so much he decided to make a comeback. The team had a new look: for the first time in 23 years Marco Manara was not part of the team.

"It was totally my decision to return to the game. I was very relaxed in making the decision and today I feel happy whether playing or not playing in the first team. Being a part of such a wonderful side is already a great satisfaction."

" I will decide whether or not to play next season during the break. If I feel I am still fit enough then I will continue but it is a decision I have to make when I have a bit of time off," Marco said.

Marco also spoke about this year's Sliema side and last year's which won the title. He said that last year the Blues showed character whilst this year although losing a player of the caliber of Matthew Pisani to rivals Neptunes the team still showed it's mettle.

He said that losing such a player was a big loss but as Sliema have got a big and competitive side, Manara always knew that they could repeat last year's feat. As Champions Sliema were always going to be put amongst the favourites for the league title but with Neptunes signing the likes of Matthew Pisani, Neptunes were favourites for this year's title for many critics.

Manara also said that his side had Patrick Cachia missing from last Wednesday's line-up and was also without the promising John John Tabone who was part of the championship winning team but is now studying abroad.

Last year began with the appointment of Sergio Afric as coach after a weekend visit to Malta to meet the team prior to the winter league. In his first season his team won the Championship, now he is banking on making it two Championships in a row. But what chance do Sliema have of retaining the title? On the waterpolo programme Man-Up + Sergio Afric, said before the Sliema vs Neptunes match that the Blues have to win all their matches now, which means they will be proclaimed Champions again.

Marco said that it is going to be hard. "We are two points behind Neptunes and one off Sirens but if we play as well as we did against Neptunes, then there is no stopping us. As I said the three teams are well-balanced and all could win the championship but I believe that tactically we are the best side."

When asked about the difference between Sirens and Neptunes and how come Sliema produced the goods against their rivals but did badly against the team from St.Paul's, Manara again stressed that the form on the day is very significant in such matches. "I believe that Neptunes are stronger up front, they have more men to rely on in centre. But that doesn't mean anything as Sirens are fast and aggressive and are a hard team to beat." said Marco Manara.

Manara said that he and Karl Izzo did not speak about last Wednesday's match when they met at their common workplace. However, despite their different views on the clubs nowadays, they are still great friends, because sport is sport and friendship is friendship.

MaltaToday asked Karl Izzo what he thought of last Wednesday's result after a lifetime with Sliema. "Life is full of such things. People move around from a club to another and although joining Neptunes after a long career with Sliema is equivalent of moving on from Milan to Inter have a job to do now and everyone must respect that."

Mr. Izzo said that on the day the Blues were by far the better side. "We did not defend well, attack well and score enough goals when with man-up situations. When you commit errors against a side like Sliema, you're punished.

"Now our main aim is to get morale back because it is very low at the moment. We are still top of the table but a defeat against Sliema is always a blow for Neptunes so before Saturday's game against Marsascala we will have to pull things together."

Izzo said that both Sliema and Sirens are good sides and both could win the league but it depends on the day. He advises against discounting Marsascala. Although they lost heavily against Sirens they could also pose problems. "Just ask Sliema on that" he quipped.

Karl Izzo said that from now onwards every game is a final. He said that Neptunes hope that Karl Galea would be back soon because he really is an asset. He was also needed a lot versus Sliema especially when Niki Lanzon was fouled out.