Balzan edge Hibernians after extra time to gain last european berth
Balzan defeated Hibernians after extra time to snatch the last european spot for next season. This decider was necessary as Mosta, Balzan and Hibernians finished all in fourth place with 46 points, but the direct clashes condemned Mosta with Balzan having to face Hibernians for the last spot.
This last game of the season was a real thriller with Balzan fi‐ nally emerging as worthy win‐ ners.
Oliver Spiteri’s outfit was the better team on the day, playing the better football and having the better scoring opportunities.
Hibernians were found lacking in attack even if they had Jurgen Degabriele back in the initial line.
Defender Andrei Agius was making his final appearance be‐ fore hanging up his boots, but unfortunately for him and his side, this his last match ended on a sad note.
The first half was rather disap‐ pointing with very few scoring opportunities, and these few were in favour of Balzan, who had some efforts slightly missing the target.
In stoppage time Balzan took the lead when from a corner ac‐ tion Nogureira headed home from close range.
Things got better in the second half for Hibernians when Aldama and Dunstan Vella came on as substitutes on 53 minutes.
Thirteen minutes later these two combined well with Vella meeting Aldama’s cross from the right to beat Briffa from close range.
It was a completely different game now with Balzan still showing the better ideas.
On 76 minutes substitute Kalje‐ vic was brought down by goal‐ keeper Kone, but the same Kaljevic failed to beat Kone from the resultant penalty.
With two minutes to go Balzan took the lead again when Torres scored a great goal from an acute angle.
But Balzan’s joy was shortlived as immediately after re‐start the ball came Degbriele’s way and the Hibs marksman made no mistake anticipating Briffa.
In the opening minute of extra time Balzan scored what proved to be the winner when Mladen‐ ovic’s grounder hit the base of the upright before crossing the goal line.
Hibernians tried to recover for a third time with Balzan goal‐ keeper Briffa making a stunning save off an Apap header.
The match became an uphill struggle for Hibernians when Kurt Shaw was off for fouling Torres who was heading for goal.
Balzan had many chances to seal the match with a fourth goal but finished the match defend‐ ing Hibernians’ last desperate at‐ tacks.