Sliema ASC outclass Ljubljana to close in on Challenger Cup semi-finals

VK LJUBLJANA   8

SLIEMA            15

(2-5, 3-1, 1-4, 2-5)

Sliema ASC took a major step towards reaching the semi-finals of the LEN Challenger Cup after brushing aside VK Ljubljana Slovan in the quarter-final first leg played in Slovenia on Saturday.

It was a professional performance from Giannis Katrouzanakis side who after a bright start suffered a strong fightback from the hosts.

But here, Sliema showed great composure to stay in the match and a four-goal burst in the third session put the game firmly in their hands.

Sliema’s superior swimming was too much for the hosts who could not keep abreast and in the end the Malta champions returned home with a seven-goal advantage that puts them in a strong position to wrap up the tie in the second leg at the National Pool on February 1.

The Blues found themselves behind when the home side took the lead when Matjia Canc fired them in front.

But Sliema hit back strongly and Dino Zammit pulled them level when equalising from a penalty before Jamie Gambin made the most of a numerical advantage to put the Blues ahead.

Liam Galea added a third goal for Sliema from a penalty and seconds later, the Blues again struck from another penalty, this time scored by Andreas Galea.

Potocnik pulled a goal back for Ljubljana, but Dino Zammit soon restored Sliema’s three-goal advantage with a firm strike from six metres.

Ljubljana looked a transformed side in the second session as they laid siege to the Sliema goal and managed to score three goals without reply through a Potocnik penalty and Nejc Ziberna and Branko Kirasic, both following a man-up set to restore parity.

But Sliema changed ends a goal ahead when Dino Zammit converted a penalty for a 6-5 lead.

The third session saw Sliema regain their scoring touch as Liam Galea converted another penalty before the same player was again on the mark when finishing off a swift transition.

The home side looked in trouble to contend with Sliema’s fast swimming and Benji Cachia finished off another Sliema counter attack to make it 9-5.

Dino Zammit completed his hat-trick with just over three minutes to go from an other counter attack.

Ljubljana pulled one back with a minute to go through Canc from a man-up set.

In the fourth and final quarter, Sliema were determined to preserve their advantage and Liam Galea made it 12-6.

Ljubljana were desperate to bridge the gap and goals from Branko Kirasic and Anze Povhe pulled them four goals behind – 12-8.

But Sliema were in no mood to suffer akward surprises and sealed the win with a three-goal burst from Andreas Galea, Liam Galea and Dino Zammit to wrap up a convincing victory.

VK Ljubljana: J. Beton, R. Vukovic, M. Canc 2, E. Potocnik 2, N. Ziberna 1, M. Lipnik, A. Povhe 1, B. Kirasic 2, J. Carni, J. Klobucar, M. Petkovic, M. Petrovic, P. Kirasic.

Sliema: N. Grixti, E. Schembri, L. Galea 5, J. Gambin 1, J. Cassar, B. Cachia 1, S. Engerer, D. Rizzo, J. Brownrigg, A. Galea 2, J. Chircop 1, D. Zammit 5, B. Busuttil.