Neptunes and San Ġiljan will face off in Thursday’s BOV Knock-Out final after coming through two very different semi-finals on Tuesday night at the National Pool Complex.
Neptunes eased past Exiles 16-8 despite resting several key players for much of the game. Coach Aleksandar Ćirović kept Stevie Camilleri, Gergo Zalánki, and goalkeeper Matthew Castillo on the bench early, giving fringe players their chance. Luigi Mallia took full advantage, scoring the opener and completing a hat-trick, while stand-in keeper Marco Rossi impressed with several sharp saves.
By halftime, Neptunes led 7-3, and when Camilleri and Zalánki were introduced in the second quarter, the contest quickly swung decisively their way. Alec Fenech struck twice in the final session, Matthias Azzopardi netted a late double, and Camilleri finished with three goals. Kanstantsin Averka scored four times for Exiles – three from penalties – but the gap in quality was clear.
In the earlier semi-final, San Ġiljan edged Sirens 10-9 in a tense, physical battle. Sirens stunned their opponents with a 2-0 start, but San Ġiljan hit back in the second session with three unanswered goals from Matthew Zammit and Nicolai Zammit (2) to take control.
Sirens rallied late, cutting the deficit to a single goal three times in the final period, but crucial saves from Jake Tanti and a decisive strike from Jeremy Abela kept San Ġiljan ahead. Isaiah Riolo’s hat-trick and two goals from Matthew Sciberras kept the Northenders in contention until the final seconds, when Nicolas Bicari’s lob landed on the net rather than in it, sealing San Ġiljan’s win.
The BOV Knock-Out final on Thursday will pit the season’s two dominant forces against each other – a clash that promises to be far from a gentle warm-up for the upcoming Play-Off final.
Final scorelines:
San Ġiljan 10 Sirens 9 (2-2, 4-2, 3-3, 1-2)
Exiles 8 Neptunes 16 (0-2, 3-5, 3-5, 2-4)
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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