Sliema triumph to lift the Euro Cup

Valletta and Sliema clashed in the final of the Euro Challenge Cup to decide who would be lifting the first trophy of the season. However the first half hour was a dismal affair with both sides very much lacking in inventiveness and flair as the hot temperatures began taking their toll.

The first half chance came on 33 minutes when Ian Zammit shot wide from a good position. Valletta then won a free kick from just outside the box but Falzon crudely shot into the wall. Seconds later, Falzon released Sammut who shot well wide.
Sliema replied on 34 minutes when Lattes concluded centrally with an easy save for Hogg. The rest of the half was pretty dismal with absolutely nothing to write about.

On 46 minutes, Sliema sprang into life when Obifuele headed towards goal but Hogg was equal to the forward’s effort. And on 51 minutes, Sliema opened the scoring when Lattes crossed to ALHINHO whose deflected shot smashed into the net.

Sliema continued pressing forward creating chances as Valletta appeared slightly stunned by the goal. And in fact on 77 minutes, Sliema doubled with a beautiful shot by Obifuele which went crashing in beating Hogg handsomely to close off the encounter.
Valletta came close with a fine dipper by Roderick Briffa which was acrobatically tipped over by Szentpeteri on 87 minutes but the match had long been over by then.

Sliema Wanderers: Szentpeteri V, Azzopardi I, Muscat B, Soqure S T, Scerri M (Muscat A 68’), Mifsud Triganza JP (Alhinho V 46’), Portulec A (Obifuele O 46’), Lattes E, Gatt Baldacchino C, Woods I, Mintoff J
Valletta FC: Hogg A, Grioli J, Bezzina S, Borg S, Dos Santos R, Briffa R, Agius E (Frendo C 45’), Sammut K, Falzon D (Scerri T 59’), Zammit I (Temile O 50’), Ottoni H
Referee: Clayton Pisani
Goals: Alhino V 51’, Obifuele 77’
Yellow cards: Soqure S T, Woods I, Sammut K