Quadruple crown for San Giljan – second time in history after Sliema in 1998

Waterpolo Bank of Valletta KO

San Giljan Sliema (3-2), (4-0), (2-2), (3-3) 12 7

San Ġiljan Tum Invest capped off a perfect season winning also the BOV knock-out defeating Sliema Frank Salt 12-7. A resounding win for the champions who finished by winning all their 25 games this year, winning all four cups at their disposal, and cementing their place as one of the best ever teams.

Aleksandar Ivovic was again a protagonist scoring in every session while leading his team with precise passes, while the other players complimented him with Matthew Zammit and Aurelien Cousin scoring beautiful goals. During the season, several people were mentioned but a big credit goes to their coach Marko Orlovic who managed to gel perfectly a team full of talent.

Sliema, on the other hand, went through a disappointing season, ending empty-handed, finishing fourth in the league while failing to leave their mark in several games.

The Sliema committee have to work hard to create a team that is capable of challenging seriously for the honours. Peter Decesare was in charge of the team in this game.

Sliema were only in the game during the first period as they took the lead from Jerome Gabarretta, and after Aleksandar Ivovic put San Ġiljan in front, Guillermo Molina equalised from a penalty. But Aurelien Cousin finished a wonderful action to give his team a one-goal advantage.

That advantage was consolidated in the second session, as like in the previous games, San Ġiljan dominated the second period, scoring four consecutive goals from four different players to finish the session 72 in front.

San Ġiljan were already in the driving seat and their job was only to control the game. They scored twice from Aleksandar Ivovic and Andreas Galea but Sliema managed to react in both occasions, to at least limit the damage.

The Champions elevated their level again in the last session, scoring three times from Aurelien Cousin, Ben Plumpton and Aleksandar Ivovic to make the score 124. Sliema scored three late goals to make the score more respectable.

San Ġiljan captain Matthew Zammit received the trophy from the BOV Chief Officer Anthony Scicluna in the presence of the ASA President Joe Caruana Curran, as San Ġiljan celebrated yet another trophy.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, P. Borg, A. Galea (1), B. Grech, J. Galea, M. Zammit (1), B. Plumpton (1), D. Zammit, A. Ivovic (5), A. Cousin (3), P. Fava, D. Zammit (1), T. Micallef

Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta (1), E. Aquilina, C. Cluett, G. Molina (3), K. Dowling, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, J. Gambin (2), M. Meli (1), Z. Mizzi, B. Cachia, Z. Sciberras

Referees: Peter Balzan, Adrian Alexandrescu

In his farewell appearance for San Giljan TUM Invest, Montenegrin Aleksandar Ivovic shows his physical prowess against Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate yesterday in the KO final Photo: Domenic Aquilina

San Giljan TUM Invest captain Matthew Zammit holds aloft the Premier KO trophy after his side's triumph over Sliema Frank Salt Real Estate Photo: Domenic Aquilina