Watch: Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers eye Super Cup fillip

Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers will face off for the first major honour of the season when they go head-to-head in the Super Cup final at the National Stadium on Friday (kick-off: 5pm).

The Spartans and the Wanderers may have experienced a somewhat contrasting campaign so far but nonetheless both teams are fuelled with burning ambition to return home with the trophy in their hands to infuse fresh momentum into their season.

Historically, the Spartans have enjoyed remarkable success in this competition as they boast a 100 per cent record, winning all the six finals they contested, including last year’s showpiece which saw them ease past Birkirkara 4-0.

The Reds are facing Sliema in the Super Cup final for a third time after previously managing to defeat the Blues in the 1988 final, 1-0 after extra-time, and then needed a penalty shoot-out to prevail again the following year.

However, this time around the Reds find themselves in a more difficult situation as they arguably start today’s match as the underdogs due to a below-par showing in the Opening Round of the 360 Sports Malta Premier and an endless list of injuries to key players.

Despite these problems, the Spartans have defied the odds in recent weeks, securing eye-catching victories against league high-fliers Birkirkara and Floriana, and on Friday they will be smelling blood against Sliema.

“We are coming into this match after a very good performance against Floriana and we need to build up on this momentum,” Ħamrun coach Alessandro Zinnari said.

“During recent weeks we have made some tactical adjustments and we became more united and compact on the pitch and that has made a lot of difference. This is without doubt the most important match of the season for us and we will be doing everything we can to lift the trophy.

“The main goal for us is to put on a stronger performance than a fortnight ago when we drew 1-1 with Sliema in the league. It’s not going to be easy as Sliema are a very strong side, led by a very good coach so it’s going to be a great battle.

“For us bringing success to our club and supporters is the most important thing and we will do our best to give joy to our fans who are always behind us.”

Zinnari is positive of having striker Luke Montebello available for selection after limping out of his team’s 2-1 win over Floriana.

The Italian coach said that he is sweating on the fitness of defender Emerson Marcelina, who also picked up an injury against Floriana, but will give the Brazilian all the time available to recover him for today’s match. Wing back Juan Corbalan is back in training and is available for selection.

Ħamrun senior vice-president Gaetano Debattista said that winning silverware was always special for his club and he hoped they will have reason to celebrate come this evening.

“Playing a final is always a special moment for our club,” Debattista said.

“We are really looking forward to this challenge and we are desperate to maintain our unbeaten run in this competition. Obviously, it’s not going to be easy as we are facing a very tough side but I am sure the players will rise to the occasion.

“I hope it will be a great day for both sets of fans and that it will be another great advert for Maltese football.”

Delicate time

For Sliema, the Super Cup final arrives at a very delicate time of the campaign for the Blues who are midway through a fierce battle to secure a top-two finish in the 360 Sports Malta Premier.

However, coach Paul Zammit said that this final will bring some special emotions for him and his players as it marks the end of a two-and-half-year cycle which has seen the Blues rise from the Challenge League and restore their place among the top guns of Maltese football.

“The Super Cup final is a very special moment for our club as it marks the end of more than two years of hard work that has seen us bring the club where it deserves to be,” Zammit said.

“We have given ourselves a special gift to try and win this final and we are really looking forward to it and end the year on a high.

“It’s going to be a very tough match against a Ħamrun Spartans side who have shown in recent weeks that despite their injury crisis have managed to rediscover themselves and have become a very competitive side.

“Personally, I believe that everything that we have done in recent weeks will count for nothing on Friday as a final is a special game where the team that performs best on the day will prevail.”

On his part, Keith Perry, the Sliema Wanderers coach, said that Sliema didn’t enjoy a lot of success in this competition, managing to win it just three times in their history and hopes things will be different today.

“A win in tomorrow’s Super Cup will surely send a clear message to our rivals that we are hungry to keep winning trophies,” Perry said.

“The Super Cup is a competition we are desperate to win, particularly as we didn’t manage to bring it to our club a lot of time. Added to that winning this honour will further rubberstamp all the good work we have done in the past few months.

“I hope it will be another great day for all the football enthusiasts present and irrespective of the final result, I hope that both clubs show respect to each other not only on the pitch but even when the game comes to a close.”