Watch: Steve Borg heaps praise on Spartans players after ‘perfect reaction’ in Super Cup final

For a whole week, a lot of criticism was pointed toward Ħamrun Spartans after their dismal performance in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat against Birkirkara.

The players of the Malta champions will have felt even slightly embarrassed by their display which was a far cry from the scintillating stuff that characterised them as the leading team in domestic football.

Therefore, lifting the BOV Super Cup, at the expense of the same Birkirkara side, was of utmost importance to put their season back on track and clinch the first piece of silverware of the 2023-24 season.

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If the Spartans needed someone to inject life into the team for such an important game, that was captain Steve Borg whose leading performance at the heart of the defensive line was a key element behind the team’s triumph.

“We felt huge disappointment after last week’s defeat at the hands of Birkirkara,” Borg told the Times of Malta.

“I have to say, though, that we always give our 100 per cent, even when we lose, but I do understand the supporters’ frustrations as they love this team and speak straight from their hearts, even though they are not always aware of what is happening inside our dressing room.

“Nonetheless, we leave the past in the past and we have now proved our worth with this victory that we dedicate to all the players at the club, the president and the supporters.”

For Borg, 35, this was his sixth Super Cup win but his first donning the colours of the Spartans. His previous five successes came with Valletta FC in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2018.

“Winning is always a special feeling, no matter with whom because come the end of your career, you will be always looking back and treasuring these memories,” the Malta international pointed out.

“However, I am still hungry for more silverware.”