Birzebbuga win First Division KO after extra time

M’Xlokk Fischer Birzebbuga ASC (after extra time) 10 11

(2-1), (1-2), (3-2), (2-3), (1-2), (1-1) After a 21 year absence, Birżebbuġa returned to winning honours in the local waterpolo scene defeating Marsaxlokk Fischer 11-10 after extra time. A splendid way for them to end a season that was already positive, and this honour was the cherry on the cake for the team under the guidance of the Italian Marco Risso.

Marsaxlokk failed to produce a champions performance as they couldn’t get an early lead to control the game. They had twice a two-goal advantage but couldn’t hold on as Birżebbuġa were always responding.

Marsaxlokk managed to win the first session 2-1 after Brian Buhagiar and Rainier Scerri cancelled Malcolm Manara’s opener. Birżebbuġa went again in front in the second session with two goals by David Pace Lupi and Sergi Mora but Zeljko Kovacic equalised for Marsaxlokk.

Ayrton Camenzuli gave his team the advantage again, but Marsaxlokk scored three times to go 6-4 in front in a period where they seemed to control the game, and ended the session with a one-goal lead after Mora scored from penalty.

Marsaxlokk reacted after Pace Lupi’s equaliser and were again with a two-goal advantage, but Birżebbuġa were brave enough to stay in the game and equalised from Ayrton Camenzuli and Simon Vassallo to put the game into extra-time.

Birżebbuġa looked more determined in the two periods of three minutes, and they were never in disadvantage. Marsaxlokk managed to recover from two goals down, but had no response to Sergi Mora’s goal.

After the end of the game, the Chief Officer of BOV Peter Perotti in the presence of ASA President Joe Caruana Curran presented the trophy to the captain Neil Cassar amid deserved celebrations.

Birzebbuga: D. Abela, M. Manara (1), S. Mora (4), D. Pace Lupi (3), A. Camenzuli (2), A. Sammut, S. Vassallo (1), N. Cassar, G. Farrugia, M. Caruana, K. Rizzo Naudi, K. Gauci, M. Risso

Marsaxlokk: A. Xuereb, C. Spiteri Debarro (2), L. Calleja (1), M. Cacici, C. Gialanze, C. Bugeja, S. Meli (1), Z. Kovacic (3), B. Buhagiar (1), R. Scerri (2), K. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Massimo Calabrò