San Ġiljan and Neptunes, the top-ranked teams in this season’s Premier Division, will go head to head for the title crown this evening in the first of the best-out-of-three play-off series at the National Pool.
These two rivals have been the protagonists of some fascinating championship showdowns over the years and it is likely that they will be providing another spectacular series for the huge crowd that is expected to throng the National Pool on Saturday evening.
The two teams come into the final on the back of some convincing performances in the last week or so.
San Ġiljan, the current Malta champions, produced the most impressive display in the Premier Division semi-finals as they brushed aside Sliema ASC 14-11 in what was a ruthless display.
In fact, the Saints looked solid right from the outset and punished the Blues for their failure to take the chances that came their way.
On Friday, Sliema managed to claw themselves back into the match after a slow start. But at 7-7 Dmitrii Kholod failed to make the most of a man-up set and from then on there was no way back for Sliema.
In fact, San Ġiljan managed to score four goals without reply to take a commanding 11-7 lead which they managed to administer till then end.
On the other hand, Neptunes had a more pristine path to the final when they brushed aside Valletta 24-11 in a one-sided semi-final.
The Balluta Bay outfit showed all their experience and attacking prowess to kill the Citizens’ challenge with a rampant display in the second session that saw them move clear of their opponents.
It is difficult to make any predictions for Saturday’s match as on their day both San Ġiljan and Neptunes are capable of snatching a win.
Hopefully, these two giants of Maltese waterpolo can provide a memorable series to round off what has been a very positive summer for the sport on both the domestic and international scene.
