Neptunes Waterpolo & Swimming Club Annual 2019

YEARS

EDITORIAL

2019 has been a very happy 90th birthday for Neptunes Whoever would have predicted that 40 years on, after putting up the Neptunes’ 50th Anniversary publication, I was to be privileged yet again to compile our club’s 90th anniversary edition!

Earlier in the year, prior to the start of our waterpolo season, our President Matthew Bonello went on record to state that this year, being our 90th year since the club’s foundation in 1929, he wanted Neptunes to celebrate this anniversary in style. And indeed we did, as we conquered anything that came our way, and were crowned Quadruple Crown winners. We were successful in the Winter League, the President’s Cup, and the coveted League Championship and Knock-Out trophy – in other words, a clean sweep. Quite an impressive array of silverware!

Up till when the club celebrated its 50th anniversary, Neptunes had won 10 league championships and 10 Knock-Out Cups. During the past 40 years Neptunes increased their Championship victories by 16 to a total of 26 and Cup triumphs by 13 to total 23! Besides, Neptunes lead in the Winter League winners’ chart with 10 accolades and the President’s Cup with nine.

Committee for 2019/2020 President: Mr Matthew Bonello Vice President: Mr Chris Calleja Secretary: Dr Beppe Sammut Treasurer: Mr John Zarb Members: Mr Simon Castillo, Mr John Sullivan, Mr Adrian Cachia www.neptuneswpsc.com Triq Ċensu Tabone, St. Julian’s STJ 1016, Malta Mailing Address: P.O. Box 10, St. Julian’s Administration 9949 2812 Secretary 7909 3718 Swimming 9980 3474 Accounts 9949 2812 Waterpolo 9945 1891 wpcneptunes@gmail.com facebook.com/neptuneswpsc @neptuneswpsc Photography by Noel Bartolo and Andrew Bartolo Compiled and edited by Leonard V. Zammit Designed and produced by Professional Marketing Services Ltd.

The sterling work which our forefathers, guided by the founder of our club, Alfred Gauci, and subsequently by the late stalwarts Angelo Debono, Loris Manchè and Stanley Ellul Mercer, had done in the past, formed the basis of a formidable team which inspired our fraternity to develop into one of the leading clubs on the island, having our own freshwater pool which is heated during the winter months and being consistent in the winning of major aquatic competitions, both in waterpolo and swimming.

I also salute these gentlemen whom I consider to have been the architects of Neptunes’ present healthy state: the late Wilfred Mamo, the late Carol Calleja, the late Dr Michael Gialanze together with the indefatigable Joe ‘Lolly’ Psaila.

Under their leadership, the club made great strides, which in 1992, culminated in the realization of a long-standing dream of these leaders, that of the reconstruction of the club to include a fresh-water and heated swimming pool.

But it goes without saying that the person considered to be Neptunes’ Man of the Moment must undoubtedly be our current beloved President Matthew Bonello, under whose stewardship our league titles soared by ten in the past 14 years. Matthew was elected to the helm in 2005. He is the 13th President to guide Neptunes since is-Sur Fred Gauci founded our club in 1929. Certainly 13 has not been an unlucky number for Matthew! Surrounded by a number of smart colleagues who formed the various committees over the years, Matthew worked diligently and put the club on the highest pedestal it is today. Matthew is not the man to rest on his laurels, golden as they are, but he is adamant to retain the consistency that has seen him propel Neptunes forward and maintain the top spot for so many years.

Our loyal band of supporters deserve a special mention for the vociferous support they have lent the team at every match, especially in the crucial and decisive encounters that have seen Neptunes triumph year in year out.

Away from the historic perspective now to focus on the year that just gone by. This past season saw the introduction of two overseas players per team. The level of the athletes chosen by the clubs has been exceptionally high and this is evinced by the tight contests we witnessed during the 2019 campaign.

Neptunes have always been renowned to engage overseas players of a certain calibre. Jan Evert Veer from Holland, Croatians Josip Kovacevic, Dubravko Simenc and Ivan Krapic, Vlada Vujasinovic and Aleksandar Ciric from Serbia, Montenegrin Vlado Gojkovic, the Hungarian Tamas Molnar and Petr Biros, Dimitry Apanasenko and Aleksander Kolotov from Russia, and Frenchman Romain Blary come to mind.

EDITORIAL 01

YEARS

EDITORIAL CONTD.

The Croatian Petar Muslim was again selected to be one of our overseas players for 2019 after his fairly successful outing the previous year, and the choice of the other fell on the Montenegrin Darko Brguljan who plied his trade with Waspo ’98, a German club in Hanover. Both these players regaled our supporters with some delightful play, especially Darko, with his frequent picture goals. He scored 61. Petar’s contribution was 40 goals. These figures also include the three KO Cup games.

Neptunes established this enviable record), six Knock-Outs, nine President’s Cups, and ten Winter Leagues, besides being voted twice ASA player of the year (2001 and 2004). An automatic choice for the Maltese national team, he chose to retire from from the international game following Malta’s historic qualification for the European Waterpolo championships in Belgrade in 2016. Replacing him will no doubt be a veritable headache for the new Neptunes committee.

Once again the club did its homework very early for 2020!

Matthew accompanied young Jake Muscat to Montenegro where he is undergoing rigorous training with various coaches including former Neptunes favourite and current national coach of Montenegro, Vlado Gojkovic. Whilst there, he successfully negotiated the engagement of the outstanding Alexandar Ivovic for the year 2021. This waterpolo idol could not sign for 2020 as he will be leading Montenegro at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Another acquisition for 2021 is the Hungarian superstar Denes Varga and towards the middle of October, Neptunes also announced that they had engaged the Croatian Paolo Obradovic and also managed to take on board James Spiteri Staines from Valletta. These moves shook the local waterpolo fraternity as the legendary Montenegrin Ivovic and the Hungarian Varga are considered as two of the world’s greatest players. This is what the Italians term as un colpo grosso and their inclusion in the Neptunes squad is bound to spur on other teams to engage high-profile players to counteract these acquisitions. The Croatian Obradovic, who spent the summer of 2018 at our neighbours San Ġiljan, is the other overseas player who will accompany Darko Brguljan in 2020.

It will be Varga’s first venture in Malta. No doubt these acquisitions will guarantee high standard in our play.

The choice for the waterpolo 2019 player of the year fell on Jerome Gabarretta. The Sliema centre-man, a former product of the Neptunes’ nursery, is the first Blues’ player to win this honour since John Soler’s in 2010. Soler had also won this honour in 2002 and 2003. Neptunes players won this honour on no fewer than 14 occasions since its inception in 1970; seven of these in the last eight years, six times for Steven and once for his brother Jordan. Steven had also earned this honour in 2007. Very impressive indeed.

Every Maltese waterpolo follower considers Neptunes to have two other ‘foreigners’ in brothers Steven and Jordan Camilleri.

Both had an excellent season militating in the Italian Serie A competition last winter where they were lavishly praised by the AS Roma President for their performances and exemplary behaviour throughout their campaign. Jordan was a mainstay in the Reds’ defence, also scoring 36 league and Cup goals while Steven supplied no fewer than 76 of the 282 league and cup goals Neptunes scored throughout the season.

The ceaseless post-2019 season activity to maintain our club’s position as the best on the island was really impressive. The various posters on social media, showing the Neptunes Waterpolo Academy activities, promoting ‘We are family’ at Neptunes and introducing the additions to the coaching staff for 2019/2020 have shown how hard the members of the committee have worked throughout the year. They deserve our sincere appreciation. Our club’s vision and strategy is to promote each individual player and develop them into a staunch Neptune… and at the Academy they are doing just that. 2019 will long be remembered for the end of the legendary captain Niki Lanzon’s outstanding career with Neptunes. ‘Il-Lanz’ as he is affectionately known, made his debut for the Reds at the tender age of 15, and went on to become a key player in Neptunes’ successes in the recent past.

During his 25-year career with Neptunes, Niki, one of the most natural talents produced by Neptunes, won no fewer than 10 championships (five of which (2010 - 2014) on the trot as

Our waterpolo coaching tandem of Jovan Popovic and his assistant Nenad Navarin, both from Montenegro, did an excellent job for the second year running. Under Jovan the seniors carried off the Winter League, President’s Cup, League championship and KO while Nenad Navarin’s juniors retained the Under-17 championship but lost the Under-15 title in a decider. The Under-19 competition was not completed in view of a decision taken by the Malta Waterpolo Referees Association not to control matches where Sliema ASC were involved. However, San Ġiljan won this category as they had an unassailable lead over Neptunes and Sliema.

The swimming sector once again has been doing well and details of its remarkable progress can be scrutinised in these pages.

No fewer than seven persons, some of whom had strong connections with our club, left us to meet the Risen Lord during the past year. These were life-long members Angele Cauchi and her sister Cecile, Mary Gatt, wife of the late vice-president Joe Gatt PL, Joe Zammit PL, also known as Bologna, who was club secretary in the late 90s, Wilfred Naudi, who also served on the committee, long-standing supporter Massimo Litrizza and the latest, Albert Palmier who turned out for Neptunes in the 50s. Whilst offering our condolences to their respective families we also ask our Lord to grant them eternal rest.

I am sure that this year’s edition will bring back several wonderful memories to our numerous supporters, young and old alike. Quite a good number of outstanding events during our 90 years of existence are also missing because of lack of space. However, most of these are highlighted in the previous editions of the club’s annuals that I have put up regularly since 1986.

My final word is directed towards our dear advertisers who, without their precious help this magazine would cease to exist. In this respect I must mention Bernardette Fenech Close and Julian Sammut, in particular, for their endless efforts to attract a good number of sponsors to make this publication possible.

Leonard Zammit

EDITORIAL 03

YEARS

THE President’s MESSAGE

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Neptunes members and supporters,

Once again, it is my pleasure to contribute to our annual magazine, and share a few of my thoughts with you, as we look back at life at Neptunes in the past months.

Though we have had more than our fair share of success in the past years, we ensured that the year we celebrated our 90th anniversary will remain one of the most memorable, by winning the Quadruple Crown for the first time in our glorious history.

We have come close previously, but this time we were not to be denied, and our boys delivered consistently from the winter months right up till the moment we sealed our 26th championship in September.

I consider this team as one of our strongest in recent years, as there was strength in depth in our squad, as even our younger players more than held their own and gave a vital contribution when called upon, together with the established ones. Though we had our moments of hesitation occasionally, the team delivered when it mattered, and showed, that once again, Neptunes were a cut above our opponents.

I thank all our players, coaching and technical staff, and my colleagues on the committee who in their own separate ways, all gave their contribution to Neptunes, allowing us to achieve this clean sweep of silverware.

the senior squad as a15-year old. Over the years, he developed into one of the greats in the local game, becoming a key player for club and country. Besides having an innate knowledge of the game, Niki was a strong swimmer, a goal getter and never one to shy away from covering in defence either, the sort of player you would always want to have in your squad. Undoubtedly, his contribution in and out of the water will be greatly missed, and he will be a hard act to follow. Thank you “Lanz” for everything you have given to Neptunes in the past 25 years!

Last and definitely not least, heartfelt thanks go to our loyal members and supporters, without whose backing, Neptunes would simply not be able to perform to the standards we aspire to reach.

Though losing a key player, on the bright side, we have a group of very talented and promising players coming through the ranks, never mind the fact that we are also attracting top youth talent from other clubs.

Whilst we were celebrating our success, I think I would capture the mood well, if I said that during our celebrations, there was a tinge of sadness in the air all the same, as our captain Niki Lanzon decided to end his memorable career with Neptunes.

Whilst not in any way sitting on our laurels, we can be confident that the club’s future is bright, and it is clear that the decision taken a few years ago to invest in a full time professional youth coach is already paying rich dividends.

Another option we must consider and which we are actively following is that of sending our most promising players to train and play abroad in a professional environment, as we have done with Jake Muscat this year.

Born and bred at the club, Niki immediately stood out as an exceptional talent from his early teen years, and joined 04 THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Our youths can have no better role model to look up to, than our own Stevie Camilleri, whose professional career at the highest levels now spans over a decade, and who has shown what can be achieved, when talent, passion, dedication and determination come together.

It also very gratifying to note the good name and reputation that Neptunes enjoys amongst the crème de la crème of top international players. I can vouch for this personally, as when dealing with them, more often than not, they are well aware that over the years, we have had the very best amongst our ranks.

For 2020 we will have one of the world’s best attackers in Darko Brguljan back with us again, after the excellent season he had with us last year, together with Paulo Obradovic who certainly needs no introduction as a versatile, strong, all round top player.

In the knowledge that after the Olympics many players usually retire from their commitments with their national teams, we have also taken the unusual step of concluding negotiations with the two foreign players who will be joining us in summer 2021. Most certainly, anybody in the waterpolo world cannot ask for much better than Aleksander Ivovic and Denes Varga, two contenders for best player in the world currently!

Our 90th anniversary is also a good opportunity for us to look back and thank all the people who made Neptunes what it is today. When our founder Alfred Gauci, is Sur Fred, founded the club so many years ago, I am sure he could never have imagined that he had started something which would grow and develop over the years, into one of Malta’s leading waterpolo and swimming clubs.

Mamo, and Carol Calleja, for dreaming of, and implementing this project.

Neptunes today would not be what it is, without their vision. With my colleagues, during the past years, we have now managed to achieve another long term target, that of heating the pool all year round, so that all our athletes can train in the comfort of our own facilities.

A more than deserved word of thanks must also go to the person I call “the walking encyclopedia of Neptunes”, the editor of this magazine, Leonard Zammit, whose passion and love of the club are second to none. It is a testament to his loyalty, enthusiasm and perseverance that this club annual has gone from strength to strength, year after year, and has now been printed for no less than 33 years! As he has often appealed over the years, this is something which he would like to see carrying on when he decides to pass it on, so as with many other areas in the club’s operation, we need all the support we can get, from all those willing and able to help.

We definitely have a lot to be proud of at Neptunes, but we must work harder and better if we want to keep leading the way.

This is our resolve as we start the decade that will lead us to our centenary year.

Matthew Bonello President Neptunes WPSC

Over the years, we were lucky to have, and are indebted to so many people, who always put their heart and soul into the running of the club, and also had the vision to take tough decisions which eventually would be hugely beneficial to us all.

Undoubtedly, the building of our own pool was one such decision which stands out, and the mentors of this courageous project, my predecessor, the indefatigable Joe Psaila and the much loved and never forgotten Wilfred THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 05

YEARS

OUR OVERSEAS RECRUITS

Negotiations have already been concluded for two of the world’s topmost waterpolo players, Aleksandar Ivovic and Denes Varga to join Neptunes in the Summer of 2021.

Meanwhile, the overseas tandem for Summer 2020 will be

composed of Darko Brguljan and Paolo Obradovic. Petar Muslim, who spent the past two summers with Neptunes, who were crowned champions in each of the two years, will be joining San Ġiljan for 2020.

WELCOME PAULO

TO THE CLUB OF

TRUE CHAMPI NS

06 OUR OVERSEAS RECRUITS

YEARS

OVERSEAS Players & COACHES

Overseas players & Coaches who graced our club since 1970 YEAR

PLAYER

COUNTRY

COACH

COUNTRY

2021

Aleksandar Ivovic

Montenegro

Denes Varga

Hungary

Darko Brguljan

Montenegro

Jovan Popovic

Montenegro

Paolo Obradovic

Croatia

Nenad Navarin

Montenegro

Petar Muslim

Croatia

Jovan Popovic

Montenegro

Darko Brguljan

Montenegro

Nenad Navarin

Montenegro

2018

Petar Muslim

Croatia

Jovan Popovic

Montenegro

2017

Romain Blary

France

Zoran Maslovar

Montenegro

2016

Cosmin Radu

Rumania

Zoran Maslovar

Montenegro

2015

Petr Biros

Hungary

Zoran Mustur

Croatia

Ivan Krapic

Croatia

Petr Biros

Hungary

Sergey Markoch

Russia

Tamas Molnar

Hungary

Aleksandar Ciric

Serbia

Sergey Markoch

Russia

Tamas Molnar

Hungary

Aleksandar Ciric

Serbia

Sergey Markoch

Russia

Tamas Molnar

Hungary

Vladimir Gojkovic

Montenegro

Sergey Markoch

Russia

Tamas Molnar

Hungary

Vladimir Vujasinovic

Serbia

Sergey Markoch

Russia

Tamas Molnar

Hungary

Miklos Gor-Nagy

Hungary

AljoĹĄa Kunac

Croatia

Paolo Malara

Italy

Leonardo Sottani

Italy

Ivan Milakovic

Croatia

Sergio Afric

Croatia

Adam Decker

Hungary

Milan Aleksic

Serbia

Ivan Zanetic

Croatia

Ivan Milakovic

Croatia

Sergio Afric

Croatia

Vladimir Vujasinovic

Serbia

Dubravko Ĺ imenc

Croatia

Sergio Afric

Croatia

2005

Sergio Afric

Croatia

2004

Dirk Dowling

Malta

2003

Dirk Dowling

Malta

2020 2019

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

2009 2008

2007 2006

08 OVERSEAS PLAYERS & COACHES

YEAR

PLAYER

COUNTRY

COACH

COUNTRY

2002

Tony Camilleri

Malta

2001

Renzo Posinkovic

Croatia

2000

Tony Camilleri

Malta

1999

Tony Camilleri

Malta

1998

Tony Camilleri

Malta

1997

Tony Camilleri

Malta

1996

Vito Padovan

Croatia

Sergio Afric

Croatia

1995

Aleksandre Kolotov

Russia

Ġużi Attard

Malta

1994

Mirko Vičević

Montenegro

Salvatore Albo

Italy

1993

Dimitry Apanasenko

Russia

Ġużi Attard/

Malta

Sergey Markoc

Russia

Ladislav Bottlik

Slovakia

Ġużi Attard

Malta

1991

Profs Claudio Silvestri

Italy

1990

Josip Kovacevic

Croatia

1989

Profs Claudio Silvestri

Italy

1988

Profs Claudio Silvestri

Italy

1987

Profs Claudio Silvestri

Italy

1986

Profs Claudio Silvestri

Italy

1985

Jan Evert Veer

Holland

Pippo Psaila

Malta

Gianni Lonzi

Italy

Alfred Griscti

Malta

1982

Alfred Griscti

Malta

1981

Bruno Cvitan

Croatia

1980

Bruno Cvitan

Croatia

1979

Alfred Griscti

Malta

1978

Alfred Griscti

Malta

1977

Profs Geza Nemeth

Hungary

1976

Joseph Wismayer

Malta

1975

Laars Skaal

Sweden

1974

Joseph Wismayer

Malta

Wilfred Mamo

Malta

1992

1984 1983

1973

Jan Evert Veer Josip Kovacevic

Keith Sturgess

Holland Croatia

UK

Loris Manchè 1972

Wilfred Mamo

Malta

Loris Manchè 1971

Wilfred Mamo

Malta

1970

Wilfred Mamo

Malta

OVERSEAS PLAYERS & COACHES 09

YEARS

WaTERPOLO PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Neptunes stars presented with mementos Towards the end of August the BOV Water Polo Players of the Year for 2018 were presented with a commemorative plaque for their achievements by Paul Gauci, Executive Head at Bank of Valletta.

The seven awards, except for that in the Women’s League, all went to Neptunes’ players or players with strong Neptunes connection.

Neptunes dominated the junior categories with Jeremy Abela winning the award for the U20 league, while Ken Erdogan and Jake Muscat both won the award for U17 and U15 categories for the second year in a row. Sliema’s Alec Fenech, now on the books of Neptunes, won the award for the U 13 competitions.

Also in the list of winners is Marsaxlokk captain Christian Gialanze who won the award for the BOV First Division, leading his team to consecutive league titles in 2018. Chris, a former Neptunes stalwart in swimming and waterpolo is now one of the Neptunes’ coaches in the academy.

10 WATERPOLO PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The winners in each category were: BOV Premier Division: Jordan Camilleri (Neptunes WPSC) BOV First Division: Christian Gialanze (Marsaxlokk ASC) BOV Women's League: Louise Cachia (Sliema ASC) U/20 League: Jeremy Abela (Neptunes WPSC) U/17 League: Ken Erdogan (Neptunes WPSC) U/15 League: Jake Muscat (Neptunes WPSC) U/13 League: Alec Fenech (Sliema ASC, now Neptunes) Only one Neptunes player featured in these honours for the year 2019. This was Jake Muscat who earned the prestigious title in the Under-17 category.

Jake formed part of both the National Waterpolo team and the U-17 National waterpolo team. Additionally, Jake was joint-top scorer in Enemed Cup together with Jeremy Abela, top scorer in the COMEN cup competition in Sardegna, top scorer in the Novak International Tournament in Slovakia, top scorer in the U-17 ASA league, 2nd top scorer in Georgia European championship and in his short career so far, won all four local waterpolo leagues.

Alec Fenech

Jake Muscat

Jeremy Abela

Jordan Camilleri

Ken Erdogan

Chris Gialanze

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

Joe Attard Valletta John Muscat Sirens Alfred Griscti Neptunes Michael Soler Sliema Mark Vella Sliema Stephen Rizzo Valletta Michael Gatt Sliema Adrian Meli Sliema Dirk Dowling Valletta Stephen Rizzo Valletta Chris Galea Neptunes Marco Manara Sliema Patrick Cassar B’Buga Dirk Dowling Valletta Dirk Dowling Valletta Marco Manara Sliema Marco Manara Sliema Jos Caruana Dingli Sliema Marco Manara Sliema John Paris Neptunes Adrian Cachia Neptunes John Farrugia Sirens Marco Manara Sliema Kurt Dowling San Giljan Kurt Dowling San Giljan

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Kurt Dowling Mario Zammit Charlie Zammit Jonathan Valletta Paul Privitera Jonathan Valletta Niki Lanzon John Soler John Soler Niki Lanzon Jonathan Valletta Paul Privitera Steven Camilleri Jonathan Valletta Josie Cachia John Soler Steven Camilleri Steven Camilleri Steven Camilleri Matthew Zammit Steven Camilleri Steven Camilleri Steven Camilleri Jordan Camilleri Jerome Gabarretta

San Giljan San Giljan M’Scala Sirens Sirens Sirens Neptunes Sliema Sliema Neptunes Sirens Sirens Neptunes Sliema Sliema Sliema Neptunes Neptunes Neptunes San Giljan Neptunes Neptunes Neptunes Neptunes Sliema WATERPOLO PLAYER OF THE YEAR 11

YEARS

Interview with NIKI LANZON

Some weeks after the end of the season, I put some questions to Neptunes’ legend Niki Lanzon who played his last game for the club in the Premier Division Play-Off final Match 2. This was against Sliema and Neptunes beat them 14-10 to win the 26th championship. And this is when Niki scored his final goal for Neptunes after a distinguished career.

Born in St Julian’s on September 16, 1980, Niki Lanzon started playing waterpolo at a very young age. His parents used to take him and his brother Kayne down to Neptunes where he enjoyed watching the club players’ training sessions and was always tempted to try it out.

When asked whether the fact that his grandfather Alfred Lanzon, a former Neptunes stalwart, and a member of the Maltese national team that participated in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, had any effect on his choice of a waterpolo career, Niki replied that probably he did inherit a love for the game from him – however, ‘the choice for waterpolo was only mine’ he replied.

Whether waterpolo was ever a hindrance to his studies, Niki said that ‘Sometimes I did put waterpolo before studying although I did get through my studies well. It was important to find a reasonable balance to manage both.’

Asked whether his parents, or, later on, his wife, ever interfered in his activity in this sport, Niki’s reply was ‘For sure not. Both my parents and later on my wife always encouraged and supported me.’

Niki recalls that he was asked to join other clubs on a number of occasions but he never ever felt the urge to leave Neptunes. ‘Neptunes is the biggest local club and any player should be proud of playing for this club’, he said.

Since his first training session, Niki always loved the game.

Nobody really influenced him but there were many players that he looked up to. He started playing at the age of nine and made his senior team debut at 13 during the winter league. He played in the summer league at the age of 14.

When asked whether he ever believed that he was going to reach such great heights in his waterpolo career, Niki replied, ‘When I first started playing I never thought about how far I could go. After a few years of taking up the sport seriously, I started hoping to play for the national team and also maybe win a league honour with Neptunes.’

On one occasion Niki guested for Sirens during a tournament in Sicily. Neptunes had no objection to that and he joined the St Paul’s Bay side for the trip, during which he also won best player and top scorer awards. On another

INTERVIEW 13

occasion, he also went to Hungary to train and play when he was 19, however, after that, he had no appetite for leaving Malta again.

professional. He insists that he learnt something from every coach and always managed to adapt to every training schedule of any coach.

Thankfully, Niki did not suffer any serious injuries during his career. He once had a problem with his little finger, which used to dislocate frequently, but that was successfully put in place after two operations.

Again, Niki, as he did when asked who his preferred coach was, did not commit himself to name anyone when asked which players he admired most during his playing career. He said that there were many players he looked up to. He believes he played against many good players and also had the pleasure of playing with some of the best local talent.

During his career Niki won no fewer than 10 championships, five of which consecutively in the record set by Neptunes between 2010 and 2014, seven knock-outs, nine Presidents Cups, and eight winter leagues, apart from being voted ASA player of the year in 2001 and 2004. He was appointed captain of Neptunes when he was just 23.

Niki Lanzon’s final goal for Neptunes vs Sliema, which was the Reds’ sixth goal in our 14-10 victory

Finally, I asked... Are you superstitious? What do you do before playing some big match? Niki replied, ‘Not really.

However, I always have the same routine before every game.’

photo by Jo Aquatic

Asked which edition of the Neptunes team during his playing career he thought was the strongest, Niki said that he believed the team which had won the five league championships in a row will always remain the strongest.

Niki played under several coaches and it was difficult for him to single out anyone in particular because they were all very

14 INTERVIEW

Niki said that his son Max seems to be interested in the sport.

He enjoys training and being with his friends. His daughter Faye attends swimming lessons, although it is not her favourite sport. ‘I do encourage them to do sport in general but I leave the choice of sport to them.’

YEARS

Interview with NIKI LANZON

INTERVIEW 15

YEARS

Interview with Mr Alfred Gauci

Is-Sur Fred, Neptunes founder, on January 22, 1977 Is-Sur Fred Gauci, founder of Neptunes Waterpolo Club, was interviewed a few days before his death in 1977. Some parts of this interview appeared in the 50th Anniversary magazine published in 1979, but it would be interesting to re-live his narratives.

Q: Sur Fred, what about the birth of the Club. How did it come about? I understand that waterpolo, as a game had already been in existence in Malta, and that a national association, the Amateur Swimming Association had already been formed in 1925, but Neptunes WPC had not yet been founded.

The wooden hut As time went by, we decided to build a hut as our club premises. Most of us lived very much in the vicinity, myself, Joe Demarco, Joe Albanese; the hut was only 10 feet long, 7 feet high and 5 feet wide. We then started challenging teams from HM Destroyers. We used to play about 16 friendly matches each summer. Then we sought affiliation to the Amateur Swimming

Is-Sur Fred Gauci, the Founder

Fred Gauci: No, Neptunes were not founded then. It all started by a group of youngsters who used to meet regularly on the rocks below Main Street, to swim and sunbathe and we enjoyed ourselves playing with a waterpolo ball in the sea. We used to leave our clothes on the rocks, as there were no huts.

We then constructed a goal post – two uprights and a crossbar, we enjoyed ourselves shooting at a goalkeeper. We then made another goal post, after which we started to play an occasional match between all those who used to come and swim in that particular area. ‘We’ constitutes the majority of people coming to St Julians during the summer months, as this was our summer resort. That was during the summer of 1929. We were once invited to play against a team from a visiting British ship, HMS Walrus.

Neptunes 1932

Association and started playing competitive matches in the second division under the name of Balluta Boys. The other teams in the division were Vittoriosa and Sea Rovers, the latter being Sliema’s second string. Joe Demarco then suggested that we should change the name of the team and since I was a great admirer of the sea I wanted to name the club after the King of the Sea, Neptune. We used to meet in the evenings in the hut we had constructed and discuss matters under the light of a paraffin lamp. The rough seas caused damage to this hut every now and then. As I said earlier we participated for the first time against against Vittoriosa and Sea Rovers. Our first competitive match was against Vittoriosa at the Sliema Pitch, which was then situated by the side of the Sliema Chalet.

Three Royal Artillery players were in the Vittoriosa side. These did not have the permit from the authorities to play for the local side and midway through the game the three players were picked up by the Red Cap police. We were then very superior and won the game hands down. However, we did not win the second division championship. Against Sea Rovers there was a disputed goal, controversially allowed by the referee il-perit Agius. The following year we again played in the second division and the last match was played at Msida on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (id-Duluri), at the Torpedo Depot.

The first team I chose this team which can be said to be the first ever Neptunes side: Joe Demarco (goalkeeper), John Chetcuti, Frank Bardon, Franz Mattei, Jerry Degiorgio, Jerry Calleja Gera and Joe Albanese. We only had one team at that time. The top Maltese club was St Julians, which was situated further in towards Spinola. At Neptunes we had no concrete platform. In fact when we played we left our clothes and belongings on the rocks. The referee used to control a match from a boat. Our club was just a rock. We played our first game against HMS Walrus.

There was a large fleet in Malta and we played under the name of Balluta Boys, but we were not affiliated to any association.

The following year we played against HMS Viscount. We beat both these teams and people were starting to stand up and admire us.

16 INTERVIEW

Franz Wismayer and Wilfred Podesta had by now entered the scene... Jimmy Chetcuti was fouled and we conceded a goal. We protested in vain.

The first championship - Birth of the Neptunes/Sliema rivalry In the year that followed - 1933 - there was a dearth of teams to participate in the first division and so the competition was open to all teams, which were pooled in one division. Six teams took part in the ASA first division, these being Sliema, Neptunes, St Julian’s A, St Julian’s B, the Royal Malta Signals and Sliema Rovers. We had our own pitch with the referee officiating from a boat. One match was played at Neptunes Pitch and the other at St. Julian’s Pitch. Neptunes beat Sliema 2-0 in front of a record crowd at St. Julian’s pitch on September 20, 1933.

Sliema’s dominance in this game found a stubborn challenger.

The first championship team was composed of Joe Demarco, Francis Wismayer, Jimmy Chetcuti, Alfred Lanzon, Joe Albanese, Arthur Podestà and Wilfred Podestà. 1934 saw Neptunes being crowned champions again.

1933 – Standard formation of the Thirties (back) Joe Albanese, Jimmy Chetcuti, The ASA organised the (centre row) Joe Demarco, Wilfred Podestà, Babsie Knockout Cup competition Podestà, Alfred Lanzon, (front row) Francis Wismayer, Anthony Degiorgio. for the first time. Neptunes met Sliema in the final and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

championship officially on the national team’s return from Berlin proved futile, as other clubs did not relish facing Neptunes with the aforementioned Olympians in their side. In the Thirties, Neptunes won the league championship on the four occasions they took part in. That was in 1933, 1934, 1937 and 1938. They also won the first championship organised after the war in 1945. So one can effectively claim that Neptunes won five consecutive first division league titles, each time they participated! Neptunes failed to take part in the ASA league in 1935 and 1939 for various reasons. In 1935 Neptunes took exception to remarks passed by a referee that Neptunes would never win the league championship again until he was in charge. As a protest the club withdrew from all competitions.

Then in 1939 the war tension seemed to have affected the waterpolo circles and in keeping with the uneasy atmosphere Neptunes withdrew from the competitions after a squabble over the alleged transfer of Walter Naudi to Sliema, with our club claiming that Walter was still a Neptunes player.

It was late in the season. In fact it was October and did not know whether any decider would take place. Our team was very young with the players still attending school. And on a very rough Sunday we went to the Sliema Chalet for coffee and After the mid-40s several arguments caused uproar at the club came back to Neptunes singing when we were told that the and the members became unsettled. This resulted in a number decider was to be held that same day! of members and players leaving the The president of the ASA at that time was Neptunes and joining a newly formed a very strict person by the name of Pawlu club nearby by the name of Balluta Giorgio. This came as a surprise. We did Waterpolo Club. The players who left the not know about it. Wilfred Podesta club then included Anġlu Tonna, Wally wanted to play. I rarely saw the team play Fenech, Leli ‘Ghira’ Micallef, Carm Borg in competitive matches as I used to get and Ġużi Grixti. Even Ġużi Tanti, il-Priz, too excited. We had to accept that the who founded the Balluta WPC, was at our decider was to take place that same day. club. They used to form teams and I So, before this match I went to Valletta so organised competitions for them as well that I would not hear the crowds roar – as matches during the feast of the match was played under heavy ‘Tal-Karmnu’ Charlie Micallef was in rainfall at St Julian’s Pitch. Sliema were at charge of the Seagulls team and il-Priz of their best. Babsie Podesta, the younger Ta’ Werwer. During the early years of the CHAMPIONS 1933, DOUBLE WINNERS 1934, CHAMPIONS 1937, 1938, 1945 brother of Wilfred was not yet in the side.

(Back row) Francis Wismayer, John Chetcuti, Jimmy Chetcuti, Alfred Lanzon, Paul Mercieca, club I was president, team manager and Podestà. (Front row) Anthony ‘Toddy’ Degiorgio, Joe Demarco. Is-Sur Fred Gauci (Founder The Neptunes players were taken by Babsie and President), Wilfred Podestà, Joe Albanese. During these years Neptunes practically always performed a number of tasks, even as fielded the same team. Notable absentees are Albert Gauci (goalkeeper), Franz Mattei, Frank ‘fattiga’ surprise but still faced the strong Sliema and barman. We had no Bardon, Jerry Degiorgio and Gerry Calleja Gera, Jimmy Platts and Loris Manché. team and beat them 3-1. On my return to committee and later we got organised Sliema from Valletta, a passenger told me on the bus that and held a number of regular activities. However the best Neptunes had won. I went straight to Grezz and Helen bar entertainment was probably the mock battle between the (parents of Jimmy Platts) in St Julian’s drinking and making ‘Knights’ and the ‘Turks’ which we annually held on 8th merry as it was our first Cup success at the first time of asking, September! and this was obtained against Sliema who were considered to be the best until we emerged on the top scene. We continued I retired from the Neptunes presidency in 1949 as it was a time, winning and did not know what a defeat meant! The team which I believed that my players were not taking their training continued in this rich vein confirming their true force which seriously. Rather than lower the club’s colours I wanted to broke Sliema’s long-standing monopoly in waterpolo. scratch the team for the ASA league but the players wanted to continue. A committee meeting was convened and it was Here started the bitter sporting rivalry between Sliema and decided to scratch the team from competing. However, the Neptunes that exists till this very day. Suddenly the club was players insisted that they wanted to participate and so I mobbed by youngsters who wanted to form part of the team. decided to quit and resigned……Neptunes went on to win all A good number of teams sprouted at the club in Balluta Bay. their matches and eventually the 1949 championship, but only Sharks and Dolphins emerged on the scene and were because they began to train hard and the most important considered to be the best after the senior team. So they game was postponed on a number of occasions because of the competed in various ASA competitions. We also had a team bad weather. This gave them the chance to train harder and called Seagulls who had in their side Charlie Micallef, they were eventually rewarded. il-Morning, who later became a very good waterpolo referee.

The club and precincts are thronged with people when there are competitive No women were allowed at the club at that time.

The Neptunes tree flourished with players by the name of Eggie Xuereb (whose son Martin was our goalkeeper in early seventies), Joe (Dormi) and Teddy Gatt (Teddy’s son Edward also had a say in the club’s successes), Marcel Bianchi, Alfred Lanzon (grandfather of Niki and Kayne), Wilfred Gatt, Alex Mizzi and others. It is interesting to note that the Maltese national waterpolo team that took part in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin included six players from the Neptunes’ side. These were Francis Wismayer, Jimmy Chetcuti, Joe Albanese, Wilfred and Babsie Podestà and Alfred Lanzon. Efforts to stage the 1936

matches going on at our club. Besides cramming the street above the club and the adjacent rocks, numerous boats surrounded the playing area.

INTERVIEW 17

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ENEMED CUP 2019

The second Enemed Cup competition With the Camilleri brothers, militating for Roma Nuoto in the Italian Serie A1, Neptunes, as usual, used such minor contests to blood youngsters with the scope of their gaining experience in tough competitions, which will serve them in good stead for the future.

Finishing third in this competition was a creditable performance, more so when one considers that Neptunes had beaten all the participants at one stage or another, including San Ġiljan, the eventual winners and Sirens the finalists.

Neptunes beat the Saints 12-5 in the opening match in February and Sirens 10-7 in the preliminary phase in March. Ironically, they lost to Sliema 13-9 in the second match of this competition, but exacted sweet revenge over the Blues in the match for third place by a 14-8 scoreline.

The first edition of this competition held in 2017/2018 was also won by San Ġiljan, with Neptunes placing fourth.

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Neptunes babes make it an auspicious start with impressive 12-5 victory SAN ĠILJAN 5

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NEPTUNES 12

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

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Lethargic Reds beaten by sprightly Blues NEPTUNES 9

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SLIEMA 13

(1-4, 3-4, 4-4, 1-1) Neptunes this evening could not produce the performance that earned them a convincing victory against San Ġiljan last week.

They conceded a very early goal through a Spiteri Staines penalty throw and from then on they were made to play second fiddle to the Blues for a good part of the match during which Spiteri Staines scored six for the winners. To add insult to injury Neptunes had goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole in one of his worst days and it was no surprise that the Blues increased their lead to 4-0 before Jake Muscat reduced the arrears just before the end of the first quarter.

Spiteri Staines completed his first hat-trick with one of the two goals coming from a cute lob from the difficult angle and Jacob Sciberras scored their second goal.

It looked miserable for Neptunes at the start of the second session when Bugelli, Gabarretta and again Spiteri Staines made it 7-1 for the Blues but then Neptunes gave a glimpse that their young players were capable of making a dramatic comeback. Old warhorse and captain Niki Lanzon sparked a partial comeback for 7-2 and soon after Matthias Azzopardi made it 7-3. But Spiteri Staines increased Sliema’s lead (8-3). Lanzon scored from a penalty-throw for a half-time score of 8-4 for Sliema. Jeremy Abela started the third session with a lovely flick on target, off a Lanzon cross and Matthias Azzopardi and Jake Muscat proved to be sharp shooters as they reduced the deficit to 8-7 with well-taken tries. The Blues survived a scare in front of their goal and from a resultant break Zach Mizzi restored a two-goal lead for Sliema (10-8) which was further increased by Gabarretta and Cordina (12-8).

Neptunes, led by coach Jovan Popovic, made an auspicious start to the 2019 waterpolo when their young side, composed mostly of last year’s successful Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 players, overwhelmed neighbours San Giljan who, surprisingly, also had their band encouraging them right from the start.

The last quarter again ended all-square at one-all, as Spiteri Staines obtained his double hat-trick and Jeremy Abela completed the scoring.

The Reds won this match 12-5 and it was the sprightly manner in which the players reacted after Ben Plumpton put the Saints one goal up with a splendid backhand shot that was really impressive. Neptunes produced a workmanlike performance that had the San Ġiljan players frustrated and they rarely, if ever, released their foothold on the match. Even when our side included three or even four players from last year's Under-15 side our team always held its own.

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Some of the goals were spectacular: just to mention Niki Lanzon’s back flick which put Neptunes 2-1 up in the first session; Ken Erdogan’s splendid flick from a Jan Culic cross and a couple more resulting from the sharp shooting of fast rising star Jake Muscat. Before the end of the third quarter goalkeeper Ben Busuttil replaced Borg Cole and he too maintained the promise he showed last season with the Under-20s. In the last session players like youngsters Seb Busuttil, Julian Farrugia, Sam Gialanze and Mark Castillo were given an extended run by Popovic.

Neptunes, registered their second victory in the Enemed competition this evening when they emphatically beat bottom-placed Birżebbuġa by 16 goals to six. The reds were all over their opponents from strart to finish except for the last session when most of the players in the water were from the age-group teams. This session ended at 2-each.

18 ENEMED CUP 2019

Neptunes' convincing win against wooden-spoonists BIRŻEBBUĠA 6

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NEPTUNES 16

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

Jake Muscat was Neptunes’ chief scorer with six goals and now goes to the top of the overall scorers’ list. He scored a hat-trick in the first session and one goal in each of the other

three quarters. Jeremy Abela and Nikolai Zammit each scored a hat-trick while the remaining four goals were notched by Matthias Azzopardi, Ken Erdogan, Niki Lanzon and Gabriel Pace. Birżebbuġa’s scorers were C. Mifsud (2), D. Pace Lupi (2) S. Vassallo and David Cutajar.

Birżebbuġa were awarded two penalty-throws in the second session, both taken by Vassallo. The first one was scored but Neptunes ‘keeper Alan Borg Cole denied Vassallo with a splendid save from the second try. Benji Busuttil was drafted between the sticks by coach Jovan Popovic for the final session. He also showed his promise with a couple of quick interventions soon after his introduction.

Wednesday, February 27 and March 2, 2019

Slick Neptunes performance stopped by thunder and lightning but Reds go on to cofirm their superiority three days later NEPTUNES 16

| VALLETTA 9

(8-0, 3-2, – abandoned in second session with 50.6 secs to go – 5-3, 0-4) A slick Neptunes performance against Valletta was cruelly halted by thunder and lightning that started sweeping over the national pool as the end of the second session with our team leading 11-2.

Thick black clouds from the north-east were advancing hurriedly and in no time the floodlights dimmed and regained power in a split second. Referee Massimo Angileri stopped the match and ordered the players out of the water for ten minutes. But as it was evident that the storm would not abate, he immediately abandoned the match. This was 50.6 seconds to go for the end of the second session. Soon after the abandonment, the ASA, in a statement said that the remaining two sessions and 50 seconds of this match, as well as the other two games which were also cancelled, were to be played the next day Thursday at 6 p.m.

Once again the Neptunes’ side was riddled with babes from the age-group competitions, with only goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole and captain Niki Lanzon being over-20 years old. Gabriel Pace was away from the island and was missing. The first quarter ended by an 8-0 scoreline, with Jeremy Abela, Ken Erdogan, Niki Lanzon, Jake Muscat scoring a brace each. The performance offered by the Reds was impressive with our youngsters managing to blot out the Citizens’ chief menace, Peter Borg. When Borg did manage to break free from our defenders’ attentions, there was Borg Cole to thwart his valiant efforts. In the second session Erdogan and Muscat obtained their hat-trick and left-hander Nikolai Zammit included his name among the scorers when he notched our side’s tenth goal. Andrei Agius and J. Spiteri Staines scored the Citizens’ goals in the second session. So the second part of the match started with Neptunes leading 11-2, and although not reaching great heights Neptunes did enough to confirm their undoubted superiority over the Citizens, the ultimate aggregate scoreline being 16-9.

Coach Jovan Popovic fielded a number of youngsters and decided to reserve the last quarter exclusively for them.

Valletta took advantage of this and managed to reduce the huge gap between the two sides to just seven when they scored four goals without reply in the last session but had lost the third one 5-3.

Niki Lanzon and Jeremy Abela scored two goals each in the third quarter, but what caught the eye here was Neptunes’ 15th goal scored by Alec Fenech, last year’s Under-13 player of the year while on the books of Sliema. The newcomer to the Neptunes fold weighted a perfect lob from about eight metres, that beat the experienced Ryan Sciortino hands down.

Meanwhile, Michele Mifsud, Peter Borg and veteran Charlie Zammit scored Valletta’s three goals in this third quarter. And for the last session coach Popovic made wholesale changes to the side starting from goalkeeper Benji Busuttil replacing Alan Borg Cole, and going down to all the tail-enders. The experience gained by these babes will be found very useful in the future.

Saturday, March 2, 2019

Neptunes babes survive early scare to send Exiles reeling EXILES 12

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NEPTUNES 16

(4-2, 2-5, 3-6, 3-3) Neptunes chalked up their fourth victory to go top of the Enemed Cup competition with 12 points. Sirens, who have a game in hand, are jointly second with Sliema on ten.

But the Reds had to survive an early scare as Exiles raced into a 3-0 lead in the first seven minutes. Exiles kept their noses in front until the latter part of the second session when Neptunes equalized on 5-5 and the Reds then gradually started building a lead which our opponents across the bay could not erase. Jovan Popovic welcomed back Gabriel Pace but he could not make use of the Under-15 players who took part in their last match against Valletta as they were away in Hungary on a seven-day training camp under coach Anthony Farrugia. These were Mark Castillo, Max Farrugia, Alec Fenech and Sam Gialanze.

Our captain Niki Lanzon, scorer of four goals, same as Jeremy Abela, sparked off our climb back after we were 3-0 down, most of the damage being inflicted on us by Exiles’ captain Timmy Sullivan who scored three in this session and ended the match by scoring five. The improving Matthias Azzopardi reduced the deficit in the second quarter to 4-3 with a powerful shot and then a Borg Cole point-blank save sent the tireless Ken Erdogan away to equalize on 4-4. Exiles did not buckle and they regained their lead through Kurt Griscti (5-4). A well-taken backhander from Jeremy Abela regained parity for the Reds on 5-5 but Neptunes forged ahead for the first time through Jake Muscat (5-6). The returning Pace made it 5-7 only for former Neptunes product Sean Xerri de Caro to lob over the goalkeeper for a 6-7 scoreline.

ENEMED CUP 2019 19

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ENEMED CUP 2019

Left-hander Nikolai Zammit made it 6-8 following a quick transfer and then Niki Lanzon popped up with a deserved hat-trick (6-11). Sullivan and Mark Fenech scored two for Exiles but in between a quick-thinking Jeremy Abela scored his personal fourth (9-13).

The last session ended on an even keel 3-3. Nikolai Zammit completed his hat-trick with two goals. Jake Muscat scored from a penalty which was awarded when he broke alone and swam all the way towards goal where the Exiles goalkeeper splashed water to hinder him. Instead of applying the advantage rule the referee awarded a penalty. The three Exiles goals came from Cousin, Sullivan, and Griscti.

Aquilina, Isaiah Riolo and Matthew Sciberras. The latter also scored the only goal of the third quarter (7-6).

Navarin must have given our boys the ideal pep talk before the start of the final quarter as Neptunes again raised their game and made the result safe till the end. Jake Muscat marked the side’s comeback with a bombshell and Nikolai Zammit obtained his second with a hard shot from the right (9-6). Jake Ciantar again reduced the arrears for Sirens with a cool shot while Jeremy Abela, receiving from Azzopardi wrapped up the game for the Reds.

Nenad Navarin was full of praise for veteran Niki Lanzon after the match claiming that he was the inspiration to his younger colleagues.

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Neptunes lead after preliminary phase NEPTUNES 10

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SIRENS 7

(6-2, 1-3, 0-1, 3-1) Last year’s summer champions Neptunes ended the preliminary phase of the Enemed Cup competition in top place with 15 points, same as San Ġiljan, but the direct encounter between these neighbours (12-5 for the Reds) gives the verdict to our side.

Standings as at March 9, 2019 (end of league proper) Neptunes San Ġiljan Sliema Sirens Exiles Valletta Birżebbuġa

P 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

W 5 5 4 3 2 1 0

D 0 0 1 1 0 0 0

L 1 1 1 2 4 5 6

F 79 62 57 51 49 43 35

A 52 47 44 48 59 64 62

GD +27 +15 +13 +03 -10 -21 -27

Pts 15 15 13 10 6 3 0

Neptunes started like a house on fire and raced to a first session lead of 6-2. But their initial fury was tamed by the St Paul’s Bay side in the next two quarters. However, Neptunes rose to their responsibilities in the final session to confirm their superiority. Neptunes owe much of their victory to the exemplary and steady display of their captain Niki Lanzon who incredibly, at a vetertan age, played throughout the four sessions and was an inspiration to his much younger colleagues.

Saturday, March 16, 2019

Matthias Azzopardi, too, had a very sound match and his performance augurs well for the future. Alan Borg Cole in goal was sharp and had a safe match as he spurred on his side with his helpful shouts. Otherwise the rest of the side, today under the guidance for the first time this year, of Nenad Navarin, played their usual game with, however, the babe of the side, Jake Muscat failing to keep the promise shown in previous matches. Maybe he was too hasty in his shooting and very often his efforts were blocked by the opposing defenders. Despite this, Jake was good enough to notch two of the ten goals, one in the first session and the other in the final one, the latter making up for his earlier lapses.

The team from the north, Sirens, exacted sweet revenge over Neptunes for the 10-7 defeat suffered at the hands of the Reds last week. No doubt, Neptunes missed the swimming and grafting of their utility player Matthias Azzopardi who received a gash in the eye during training this week and this needed a number of stitches. But initially, today, Neptunes seemed to be on course of beating the St Paul’s Bay side again. They led the first session by a Jeremy Abela flick off a Jake Muscat pass but this session was characterized by a number of good saves from both goalkeepers, Borg Cole for the Reds and Grixti for Sirens.

The Neptunes goals in the first quarter came from a hat-trick scored by Niki Lanzon with a quick-silver shot, a perfectly weighted lob and a timely break; the much-improved Matthias Azzopardi with a powerful shot, a well-taken try by Jake Muscat when Sirens were a man down and a timely Nikolai Zammit left-hander that beat the gong as the ball was in flight. Luke Caruana had equalized for Sirens at 1-1 and the promising Jake Ciantar had made it 4-2. The Reds’ undoubted grip on the game became powerless in the second and third sessions as Sirens clawed their way back into the game, winning the second session 1-3, Jeremy Abela getting his first of the brace he scored, but Sirens notched three from Edward

No sooner had the second quarter started than Isaiah Riolo equalized for Sirens to notch his first of a hat-trick. Jake Muscat nosed Neptunes in the lead with a powerful shot and a Niki Lanzon penalty-throw made it 3-1 for the Balluta Bay club. Veteran Privitera had at least three shots at Borg Cole with the ball rebounding kindly to him and from the third one he reduced Sirens’ deficit to 3-2. Niki Lanzon scored his scond goal in this quarter for a 4-2 Neptunes half-time lead.

20 ENEMED CUP 2019

Sirens exact sweet revenge over Neptunes babes NEPTUNES 8

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SIRENS 9

(1-0, 3-2, 1-4, 3-3)

But the second part of this match belonged to Sirens who emerged winners by seven goals to four (4-1 and 3-3). The

YEARS

ENEMED CUP 2019

third session found Gabriel Pace lobbing over Nicky Grixti for 5-2 but gradually the tight grip Neptunes had on the game started to loosen as some Neptunes players committed unexpected errors and this coupled with some strange decisions by the officials upset the whole team’s performance. A back-hander by Zerafa Gregory and goals from Riolo and Marc Grech made it 5-5. Sirens crawled ahead for the first time in the match with a controversial penalty awarded by referee Stefan Licari who claimed that Borg Cole had ducked the ball. The Neptunes goalkeeper, who had another good match today, was alone with team-mate Abela near him when a Sirens player swam underwater to surprise the custodian. Borg Cole denied having ducked the ball and protested together with all the Neptunes supporters present.

Sirens increased their lead to 7-5 as the fourth quarter started, through Privitera and a timely break ended with Gabriel Pace closing the gap to 7-6 for Sirens. In their next attack Sirens were awarded a penalty and Borg Cole brought the house down with a smart save off the five-metre throw.

In this session Jake Muscat and Jeremy Abela were struggling to maintain their true form and were allowing their immediate opponent the freedom of the park as they were rather slow in their recovery. Despite this, Muscat still managed to score the best goal of the match to bring the sides closer to each other at 8-7 for Sirens. Zerafa Gregory gave Sirens the two-goal lead again but Jeremy Abela managed to squeeze the ball in for a 9-8 final result.

Neptunes did have the chance to save the match when they were awarded a penalty-throw with 10 seconds to go, but incredibly, Niki Lanzon’s throw produced a life-saver from Grixti to send Sirens in the final against San Ġiljan who beat Sliema 12-5 today (Final on Tuesday at 11.15 am).

Neptunes now meet Sliema for third and fourth place on Tuesday, 19th March at 10 am.

MATCH FOR 3/4 PLACE Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Neptunes’ polished performance floors Sliema NEPTUNES 14

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SLIEMA 8

(2-3, 6-3, 4-1, 2-1) A polished Neptunes performance this morning outclassed Sliema to end third in the 2019 Enemed Cup competition which was eventually won by our neighbours San Ġiljan who beat Sirens 8-5 in the final.

To Neptunes’ undoubted satisfaction, besides some impressive performances all along, is the fact that the Reds have beaten all the teams who took part in this competition at some earlier stage. They beat San Ġiljan 12-5 in the first match, Birżebbuġa 16-6, Valletta 16-9, Exiles 16-12 and Sirens 10-6. They made up for an earlier 13-9 defeat to Sliema by today’s fully deserved 14-8 victory and lost to today’s beaten finalists, Sirens, 9-8 in the play-offs.

22 ENEMED CUP 2019

Neptunes were again without utility-man Matthias Azzopardi who is still nursing an eye-injury incurred during a friendly match with Marsaxlokk the other week. I must admit that sometimes I did criticise some of the Neptunes players for their below-par displays, sporadic slipshod marking and failure to recover, but today I have to eat my words as the three players who had mostly come under fire from me, Jeremy Abela, Jake Muscat and Alan Borg Cole, completely left me baffled with a noteworthy performance. In fact, goalkeeper Borg Cole was again in his latest commendable form while Jeremy Abela and Jake Muscat came up with six and three goals respectively.

Another improved show came from Nikolai Zammit who grabbed four splendid goals while the indefatigable Ken Erdogan crowned a good performance when wrapping up Neptunes’ victory with the last goal. But apart from these outstanding performers, Neptunes’s remaining players all did admirably and these included captain Niki Lanzon, Gabriel Pace, both of whom inspired their younger team-mates and the others from the age-group competitions, Benji Busuttil, Matteo Martellacci, Seb Busuttil, Julian Farrugia and 13-year-old Alec Fenech, who ironically was playing for the first time against his former colleagues.

Benji Cachia put the Blues ahead after Neptunes lost a man-up set but Jeremy Abela came up with a well-taken equalizer. Sliema’s Mark Meli popped up with the first of his four personal goals but from a Jake Muscat perfect pass, Jeremy Abela again equalized. Meli again had the better of Borg Cole just before the first session ended (2-3 for Sliema).

The second quarter was rubber-stamped with two goals each from Nikolai Zammit, Jake Muscat and Jeremy Abela.

Benji Cachia had reduced the arrears for Sliema to equalize at 4-4, but with the score reading 8-4 there was a temporary loss of concentration among the Reds that allowed Meli and Bugelli to close the gap to a respectable 8-6 at half-time. After Nikolai Zammit and Jeremy Abela added two more for Neptunes at the start of the third quarter, Meli got his fourth. Nikolai Zammit’s shot scraped the crossbar and the ball fell in Jeremy’s path with the Neptunes’ centre-man tapping the ball in for 11-7.

The irrepressible Nikolai and Jake added another goal each (13-7) and Ken Erdogan squeezed in Neptunes final goal.

Towards the end Sliema reduced the arrears to make it 14-8 through Niall Saliba. After the match, coach Nenad Navarin and his assistant Adrian Cachia were over the moon by this impressive victorious performance.

YEARS

ENEMED CUP LINE-UP RECORDS

FEBRUARY 2, 2019 Sliema Birżebbuġa (2-2, 2-0, 4-0, 1-2)

9 4

FEBRUARY 9, 2019 Neptunes Sliema (1-4, 3-4, 4-4, 1-1)

9 13

FEBRUARY 16, 2019 Birżebbuġa 6 Neptunes 16 (1-4, 2-5, 1-5, 2-2)

Sliema: M. Vassallo, J. Gabarretta 3, G. Sammut, J. Sciberras 2, M. Meli, B. Cachia 2, M. Spiteri Staines, N. Saliba, M. Cordina, D. Fenech, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 1, A. Theuma.

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, M. Borg, Neil Cassar, D. Pace Lupi, C. Mifsud, R. Spiteri, S. Vassallo 1, D. Cutajar 2, Z. Farrugia Seychell, M. Cutajar 1, L. Borg, J. Buhagiar, J. Cremona.

Referees: Alex DeRaffaele, Neville Mercieca.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, M. Martellacci, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 3, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit, J. Culic, M. Azzopardi 2, B. Busuttil.

Sliema: J. Sammut, J. Gabarretta 2, N. Saliba, J. Sciberras 1, M. Meli, B. Cachia, M. Spiteri Staines 6, G. Blundell, M. Cordina 1, D. Fenech, Z. Mizzi 2, N. Bugelli 1, Z. Sciberras.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Stefan Licari.

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, M. Borg, Neil Cassar, D. Pace Lupi 2, C. Mifsud 2, R. Spiteri, S. Vassallo 1, D. Cutajar 1, Z. Farrugia Seychell, K. Ellul, L. Borg, J. Buhagiar, J. Cremona.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace 1, M. Martellacci, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 6, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 3, N. Zammit 3, V. Ragone, M. Azzopardi 1, B. Busuttil.

Referees: Alex DeRaffaele, Richard Magri.

FEBRUARY 2, 2019 San Ġiljan Neptunes (1-2, 1-4, 1-5, 2-1)

FEBRUARY 9, 2019 Valletta San Ġiljan (1-2, 2-2, 5-0, 1-4)

FEBRUARY 23, 2019 Valletta 6 Birżebbuġa 4 (4-1, 2-1, 0-1, 0-1)

5 12

7 10

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, D. Ciantar, A. Galea, B. Grech 1, K. Dowling, J. Portelli, B. Plumpton 2, C. Farrugia, T. Said 1, Darren Zammit, J. Bonavia, Dino Zammit 1, T. Micallef.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace, M. Martellacci, J. Farrugia, J. Culic, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat 4, M. Azzopardi 1, B. Busuttil.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Stefan Licari.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Agius, P. Borg 4, R. Mock, D. Paolella, M. Mifsud 1, N. Farrugia, C. Zammit 2, M. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, J. Portelli, D. Tully, B. Grech 2, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 2, B. Plumpton 1, C. Farrugia, T. Said, Darren Zammit, J. Bonavia, Dino Zammit 5, T. Micallef.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Ronnie Spiteri.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 2, A. Agius, P. Borg 1, C. Zammit, R. Mock, D. Paolella 1, M. Mifsud, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit 2, M. Lanzon, K. Galea, R. Bonnici.

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, K. Camilleri, Neil Cassar, D. Pace Lupi 2, C. Mifsud, R. Spiteri, S. Vassallo 2, D. Cutajar, Z. Farrugia Seychell, M. Cutajar, M. Borg, J. Buhagiar, J. Cremona.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Richard Magri.

FEBRUARY 2, 2019 Sirens Valletta (1-3, 1-2, 4-2, 3-1)

FEBRUARY 16, 2019 San Ġiljan 12 Exiles 7 (4-1, 2-2, 5-0, 1-4)

FEBRUARY 23, 2019 Sirens 5 San Ġiljan 11 (0-4, 0-3, 3-1, 2-3)

Sirens: N. Grixti, Z. Bartolo, E. Aquilina 2, G. Sammut, M. Grech, J. Ciantar, J. Zerafa Gregory, I. Riolo 1, J. Napier 1, J. Brownrigg 3, L. Caruana 1, M. Sciberras 1, O. Gauci.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius, P. Borg 2, C. Zammit 4, R. Mock, D. Paolella 1, M. Mifsud, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit, M. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Richard Magri.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, K. Magri, A. Galea 2, B. Grech, K. Dowling 1, M. Zammit 1, R. Caruana, C. Farrugia 1, T. Said 3, Darren Zammit, J. Bonavia, Dino Zammit 4, T. Micallef.

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorff, A. Magri 1, T. Sullivan 5, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 1, K. Griscti, N. Paris, A. Cousin, B. Lanzon, S. Apap, M. Martin.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Neville Mercieca.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina 1, P. Privitera 2, M. Grech 1, Z. Bartolo, J. Zerafa Gregory 1, I. Riolo, L. Grech Carr, L. Falzon, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, G. Galea Curmi.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, D. Ciantar, A. Galea 1, B. Grech 1, K. Dowling 1, M. Zammit 2, B. Plumpton 2, C. Farrugia, T. Said, Darren Zammit 2, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 2, T. Micallef.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Neville Mercieca.

FEBRUARY 9, 2019 Exiles Sirens (0-4, 0-3, 2-2, 3-5)

FEBRUARY 16, 2019 Sliema 14 Valletta 8 4-1, 4-2, 3-3, 3-2)

FEBRUARY 23, 2019 Exiles 7 Sliema 8 (3-1, 2-0, 1-4, 1-3)

Sliema: J. Sammut, J. Gabarretta 2, N. Saliba, J. Sciberras 2, M. Meli 1, B. Cachia 1, M. Spiteri Staines 3, G. Blundell, M. Cordina 3, D. Fenech, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 1, Z. Sciberras.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 2, A. Agius, P. Borg 1, C. Zammit, R. Mock, D. Paolella 1, M. Mifsud, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit 4, M. Lanzon, K. Galea, R. Bonnici.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Stefan Licari.

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorff, A. Magri, T. Sullivan 1, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 2, K. Griscti 1, N. Paris 2, A. Cousin 1, B. Lanzon, S. Apap, M. Martin.

Sliema: J. Sammut, M. Carani, N. Saliba, J. Sciberras 2, M. Meli 1, B. Cachia 1, J. Saliba, J. Cutajar, M. Cordina 1, D. Fenech 1, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 2, Z. Sciberras.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Alex DeRaffaele.

9 8

5 14

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorff, A. Magri, P. Paris, T. Sullivan, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 3, K. Griscti, N. Paris 1, A. Cousin, B. Lanzon 1, S. Apap, M. Martin.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina 2, Z. Bartolo, M. Grech 1, G. Sammut 1, J. Zerafa Gregory, I. Riolo 4, J. Napier, J. Brownrigg 2, L. Caruana 2, M. Sciberras, G. Galea Curmi, G. Melillo 1, G. Farrugia 1.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Neville Mercieca.

ENEMED CUP 2019 23

YEARS

ENEMED CUP LINE-UP RECORDS

FEBRUARY 27 / MARCH 2, 2019 Neptunes 16 Valletta 9 (8-0, 3-2, – abandoned in 2nd session with 50.6 secs to go – 5-3, 0-4)

MARCH 2, 2019 San Ġiljan Sliema (2-1, 4-3, 0-3, 4-0)

10 7

MARCH 9, 2019 Valletta Exiles (0-4, 1-3, 1-3, 3-1)

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius, P. Borg, C. Zammit, R. Mock, D. Paolella 3, M. Mifsud, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit, M. Lanzon 1, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici.

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorff, A. Magri, P. Paris, T. Sullivan 2, S. Xerri de Caro 2, M. Fenech 2, K. Griscti 1, N. Paris, A. Cousin 3, B. Lanzon 1, S. Apap, M. Martin.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Ronnie Spiteri.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 4, K. Erdogan 3, S. Gialanze, M. Martellacci, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat (3), S. Busuttil, J. Abela 4, N. Zammit 1, M. Castillo, M. Azzopardi, Alec Fenech, Benji Busuttil.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius 1, P. Borg 2, C. Zammit 2, R. Mock, D. Paolella 1, M. Mifsud 2, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit, M. Lanzon, K. Galea, R. Bonnici.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Richard Magri.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, D. Ciantar, A. Galea 1, B. Grech, K. Dowling 2, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton 2, C. Farrugia, T. Said, Darren Zammit 2, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 2, K. Magri.

Sliema: J. Sammut, C. Cutajar, G. Blundell, J. Sciberras 2, M. Meli 1, B. Cachia 1, M. Spiteri Staines, K.Tanti, B. Zammit, D. Fenech, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 2, Z. Sciberras.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Stefan Licari.

FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Sliema 6 Sirens 9 (1-1, 2-1, 1-3, 2-1)

MARCH 2, 2019 Exiles Neptunes (4-2, 2-5, 3-6, 3-3)

Sliema: J. Sammut, G. Blundell, N. Saliba, J. Sciberras 1, B. Cachia, M. Spiteri Staines 2, K.Tanti, M. Cordina, D. Fenech 1, Z. Mizzi 2, N. Bugelli, Z. Sciberras.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar 1, Z. Bartolo, G. Melillo, M. Grech 1, G. Sammut, J. Zerafa Gregory 1, I. Riolo 2, J. Napier, L. Falzon, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras 1, G. Galea Curmi, G. Farrugia.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Stefan Licari.

Exiles: M. Martin, C. von Brockdorff, A. Magri, L. Felice, T. Sullivan 5, S. Xerri de Caro 2, M. Fenech 1, K. Griscti 2, N. Paris, A. Cousin 2, S. Apap, M. Castillo.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 4, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace 1, M. Martellacci, V. Ragone, J. Muscat 2, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 4, N. Zammit 3, J. Spiteri, M. Azzopardi 1, Benji Busuttil.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Alex DeRaffaele.

Team

FEBRUARY 27, 2019 Birżebbuġa 4 Exiles 7 (1-2, 2-1, 1-3, 0-1)

MARCH 9, 2019 Birżebbuġa San Ġiljan (2-4, 2-1, 3-5, 2-4)

MARCH 16, 2019 Neptunes Sirens (1-0, 3-2, 1-4, 3-3)

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, L. Borg, N.Cassar, D. Pace Lupi 1, C. Mifsud 1, R. Spiteri, S. Vassallo 1, S. Cutajar 1, Z. Farrugia Seychell, M. Cutajar, M. Borg, J. Buhagiar, J. Cremona.

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorff, L. Felice 1, P. Paris, T. Sullivan 2, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 1, K. Griscti 1, N. Paris 2, A. Cousin, B. Lanzon, S. Apap, M. Martin.

Referees: Alex DeRaffaele, Neville Mercieca.

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, K. Camilleri, N.Cassar, D. Pace Lupi 5, C. Mifsud 1, R. Spiteri, S. Vassallo, D. Cutajar 1, J. Bajada 2, L. Borg, M. Borg, J. Buhagiar, J. Cremona.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, D. Ciantar, A. Galea 4, B. Grech, K. Dowling, A. Saliba, B. Plumpton 6, C. Farrugia, T. Said, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, M. Ortoleva 3, T. Micallef.

Referees: Alex DeRaffaele, Peter Balzan.

MARCH 2, 2019 Sirens Birżebbuġa (2-1, 3-3, 3-2, 2-2)

MARCH 9, 2019 Neptunes Sirens (6-2, 1-3, 0-1, 3-1)

10 6

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar 1, E. Aquilina 1, P. Privitera 1, M. Grech 2, L. Grech Carr, J. Zerafa Gregory 1, I. Riolo 1, J. Napier 1, L. Falzon, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras 2, G. Galea Curmi.

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, L. Borg, N.Cassar, D. Pace Lupi 3, C. Mifsud 2, R. Spiteri, S. Vassallo 1, D. Cutajar 1, Z. Farrugia Seychell, M. Cutajar 1, M. Borg, J. Buhagiar, J. Cremona.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Neville Mercieca.

24 ENEMED CUP 2019

12 16

9 14

5 11

Classification at the End of First Round P W L D F A GD PTS

Neptunes 6 5 1 0 79 52 27

15

San Ġiljan 6 5 1 0 62 47 15

15

Sliema

6 4 1 1 57 44 13

13

Sirens

6 3 2 1 51 48

10

3

Exiles

6 2 4 0 49 59 -10

6

Valletta

6 1 5 0 43 64 -21

3

B’Buġia

6 0 6 0 35 62 -27

0

8 9

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Erdogan, G. Pace 2, M. Martellacci, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 2, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit, I. Zammit, V. Ragone, B. Busuttil.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina, P. Privitera 2, M. Grech 1, G. Farrugia, J. Zerafa Gregory 2, I. Riolo 3, J. Napier 1, L. Falzon, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, G. Galea Curmi.

Referees: Neville Mercieca, Stefan Licari.

PLAY-OFFS 10 7

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 3, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, M. Martellacci, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 2, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit 2, I. Zammit, M. Azzopardi 1, Benji Busuttil.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar 2, E. Aquilina 1, P. Privitera, M. Grech, G. Sammut, J. Zerafa Gregory, I. Riolo 1, J. Napier 1, G. Farrugia, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras 2, G. Galea Curmi.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Stefan Licari.

MARCH 16, 2019 San Ġiljan Sliema (2-0, 4-2, 3-1, 3-2)

12 5

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, D. Ciantar, A. Galea, B. Grech 1, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 3, B. Plumpton, C. Farrugia, T. Said, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 7, T. Micallef.

Sliema: J. Sammut, K. Tanti, N. Saliba, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, B. Cachia 1, M. Spiteri Staines 1, J. Saliba, M. Cordina, D. Fenech 1, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli, Z. Sciberras.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Ronnie Spiteri.

MATCH FOR 3/4 PLACE

FINAL

MARCH 19, 2019 Neptunes Sliema (2-3, 6-3, 4-1, 2-1)

MARCH 19, 2019 Sirens San Ġiljan (1-1, 2-2, 1-2, 1-3)

14 8

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace, M. Martellacci, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat (3), S. Busuttil, J. Abela, N. Zammit 4, A. Fenech, V. Ragone, B. Busuttil.

Sliema: J. Sammut, K. Tanti, N. Saliba 1, J. Sciberras, M. Meli 4, B. Cachia 2, M. Spiteri Staines, G. Blundell, M. Cordina, D. Fenech, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 1, Z. Sciberras.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Stefan Licari.

5 8

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina 2, P. Privitera, M. Grech, G. Farrugia, J. Zerafa Gregory, I. Riolo 1, J. Napier, L. Falzon, L. Caruana 1, M. Sciberras 1, G. Galea Curmi.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, D. Ciantar, A. Galea, B. Grech, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 4, B. Plumpton 2, C. Farrugia, T. Said, Darren Zammit, P. Fava 1, Dino Zammit 1, K. Magri.

Referees: Massimo Angileri,

NEPTUNES ENEMED CUP SCORERS Opposition Result

Jeremy Jake Niki Abela Muscat Lanzon

Nikolai Ken Matteo Gabriel Zammit Erdogan Martellacci Pace

Alec Fenech

TOTAL

San Ġiljan

12-5

2

4

2

2

1

1

-

-

12

Sliema

9-13

2

3

2

-

-

2

-

-

9

B’Buġa

16-6

3

6

1

3

1

1

1

-

16

Valletta

16-9

4

3

4

1

3

-

-

1

16

Exiles

16-12

4

2

4

3

1

1

1

-

16

Sirens

10-7

2

2

3

2

-

1

-

-

10

Sirens

8-9

2

2

2

-

-

-

2

-

8

Sliema

14-8

6

3

-

4

1

-

-

-

14

25

25

18

15

7

6

4

1

101 Goals

ENEMED CUP 2019 25

YEARS

ENEMED CUP Photo Gallery

26 ENEMED CUP PHOTO GALLERY

YEARS

WINTER LEAGUE 2019

March 22, 2019

Easy-going start for Neptunes, but Borg Cole saves them in the end

EXILES 9

|

NEPTUNES 10

(1-5, 2-3, 4-1, 2-1) The 25th Winter League competition got off to a chilly start tonight at the national pool at Tal-Qroqq. Neptunes, nine times winners of this championship narrowly beat Exiles 10-9.

The team across the bay have yet to strike success in this competition. The Reds owe much for tonight’s victory, to their goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole who made a string of outstanding saves especially during the final session, although the custodian’s superb form was conspicuous from the start.

Neptunes conceded the first goal and it was Nicky Paris who put Exiles ahead but the Balluta Bay team, showing better ideas and stronger swimming, not only equalized but managed to end this quarter 5-1 ahead, Gabriel Pace netting two and Niki Lanzon, Nikolai Zammit and Jake Muscat bagging one each. Borg Cole in goal was on the alert and his defenders never allowed the opponents to worry him much.

Centre-man Jeremy Abela scored soon after the start of the second quarter, but Mark Fenech reduced the gap on 6-2.

Gabriel Pace obtained his hat-trick for 7-2 and a Niki Lanzon inch-perfect lob put Neptunes 8-2 ahead only for Mark Fenech to obtain number three for Exiles.

Coach Jovan Popovic gave some space to a number of younger players from the age-group sector and this move almost proved costly for the Reds. Exiles took advantage of the newcomers’ inexperience as they managed to come back

Alan Borg Cole - outstanding saves

strongly into the game, winning this third quarter 4-1 with goals from Philip Paris, Aurelin Cousin, Nicky Paris and Fenech.

Nikolai Zammit scored Neptunes’ ninth.

It was evident that Exiles were going to fight for a positive result as Nicky Paris obtained his personal third goal to reduce the gap to just one. Jake Muscat, however, took advantage of a man-up situation to give Neptunes a two-goal lead. Exiles’ valiant efforts were being thwarted time and time again by Borg Cole who brought the house down with another outstanding point-blank save before the end. After Michele Stellini made it 10-9 Neptunes held possession till the end. So what initially looked to be an easy-going performance for Neptunes, ended with the Reds struggling to hold on for all three points.

March 29, 2019

Neptunes’ sweet revenge over Sirens Five penalty-throws by Aquilina not enough to beat the Reds SIRENS 9

|

NEPTUNES 12

(1-2, 2-4, 3-3, 3-3) Neptunes tonight took sweet revenge on the St Paul’s Bay side Sirens for the 9-8 play-off defeat of the Balluta Bay side a fortnight ago in the Enemed Cup Competition play-off.

This evening the Reds won 12-9.

Jovan Popovic’s babes, who today welcomed back Matthias Azzopardi following an eye-injury, were ahead of their opponents for most of the match despite the fact that Sirens had the evergreen Edward Aquilina, now at a veteran stage, scoring no fewer than seven goals for them, five coming from penalty throws. Luke Caruana scored the other two goals for the losers.

28 WINTER LEAGUE 2019

Neptunes were backed up by another inspiring performance from goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole. However, they failed to take advantage from two penalty-throws they were awarded and skipper Niki Lanzon had the misfortune of seeing one shot hitting the junction of the goalposts and the other saved by Nicky Grixti.

There were some niggling tackles that the referees did not like. In fact on two occasions a player from each side was expelled simultaneously. In the second instance the referee cited ‘brutality’ for the sending-off, with the result that each team was awarded a penalty-throw and had to

play for four minutes with a man less.

Here is the breakdown of the goals scored:

The first goal arrived rather late in the first session, 2.22 minutes from the end through Jake Muscat, the first of the five he scored and seconds later Nikolai Zammit, too, netted the first of the four goals he bagged.

Session One: Jake, Nikolai, (E. Aquilina) – 2-1

Neptunes always kept their noses in front and at no stage in the match were they in danger of losing their superiority.

Session three: (E. Aquilina pen), Jake, Ken Erdogan, (E. Aquilina), (L. Caruana), Nikolai – 9-6

Session two: Niki, (E. Aquilina pen), Jake, Jake, (E. Aquilina pen), Nikolai – 6-3

Session four: Jake, (E. Aquilina pen), Nikolai, (E. Aquilina), Jeremy Abela, (L. Caruana) – 12-9

April 3, 2019

Neptunes almost throw away third victory NEPTUNES 13 | VALLETTA 12 (5-2, 2-2, 6-3, 0-5) Neptunes tonight managed to maintain their 100% record in this year’s winter league when they just beat Valletta by the odd goal in 25. Had the Balluta Bay team not obtained all three points their coach would have had to shoulder the blame as he opted to introduce a number of young players together, especially in the last session and these could not live up to the standard he expected.

The Reds, playing without the suspended Jake Muscat, gave a workmanlike display for three quarters of the game that had the Citizens struggling. Borg Cole was again very safe in goal and the young but established players like Ken Erdogan, Matthias Azzopardi, Nikolai Zammit and Jeremy Abela must have filled the Neptunes coach with optimism for this year’s summer league.

As usual, captain Niki Lanzon was always his reliable self and Gabriel Pace came up with a vastly improved performance that culminated in his scoring the best goal of the evening with a scorcher from quite a distance in the third session.

However, the inclusion of the very young players left much to be desired and Valletta took advantage of this.

In fact, in the last quarter from 13-7 the score became 13-12 with ex-Neptune Miguel Zammit sparking a spirited comeback with three goals. And Neptunes were almost on the brink of losing maximum points.

Benji Busuttil, who deputized for Borg Cole in the final quarter, emulated the Reds’ top goalkeeper as he, too, produced a couple of outstanding saves although he could not be blamed for the five goals Neptunes conceded here.

The goals were scored as follows: Session 1: K. Erdogan (2), N. Zammit (2), J. Abela (Neptunes) – R. Mock, M. Mifsud (Valletta); Session 2: N. Zammit, M. Azzopardi (Neptunes) – A. Bianchi (2) (Valletta); Session 3: N. Zammit (2), K. Erdogan, J. Abela, N. Lanzon, G. Pace (Neptunes) – A. Bianchi (2), C. Zammit (Valletta); Session 4: M. Zammit (3), M. Mifsud, A. Bianchi (Valletta).

Neptunes now meet San Giljan on Friday evening at 7.30.

They will again be without Jake Muscat. San Giljan tonight beat Exiles 14-9.

The official match card is showing Nikolai Zammit as scoring four goals whereas he actually scored FIVE. The match card wrongly credits Niki Lanzon with two goals instead of one.

For Valletta, Andrea Bianchi, who does not feature on the match card, also scored a nap hand.

April 5, 2019

Off goes Neptunes’ unbeaten record SAN ĠILJAN 9

|

NEPTUNES 7

(2-3, 1-1, 3-1, 3-2) The heavy rain and thunder that threatened to disrupt tonight’s waterpolo programme at around 6, abated and the two matches, Birżebbuġa v Otters in the first division

and San Ġiljan v Neptunes in the premier league, were played as scheduled. By their victory San Ġiljan, who had the powerful Matthew Zammit missing, now enjoy sole WINTER LEAGUE 2019 29

YEARS

WINTER LEAGUE 2019

leadership and their 9-7 success tonight was well deserved as they were the stronger team. Neptunes, however, were not bad, but coach Jovan Popovic did not have enough substitutes to pit against such stronger opposition.

Besides, Neptunes also had the up-and-coming Jake Muscat, serving the last of his two-match ban and the very young tail-enders were not used.

After conceding the opening goal from Plumpton, the Reds nosed ahead on 3-1 with two-well taken goals by the old warhorse Niki Lanzon and another good goal from Gabriel Pace. Dino Zammit scored for San Ġiljan from a penalty-throw. (3-2 Neptunes ahead). Play was tight in the second quarter with Neptunes failing to take advantage from a number of chances that came their way. Nikolai Zammit made it 4-2 from a penalty and Tristan Said made the half-time score 4-3.

The players of the Balluta Bay side started betraying signs of weariness and it was no surprise when Dino Zammit equalized for the Saints from another penalty-throw and Darren Zammit regained the lead for his side. However a splendid back-hand shot from Jeremy Abela brought parity again at 5-5. With seconds to go for the end of this third session Plumpton once more put his side ahead and from then on San Ġiljan held a tight grip on the result (6-5 for San Ġiljan). Neptunes’ coach was baying for more from his players, but most of them were visibly exhausted with

Jovan Popovic

Ken Erdogan and Matthias Azzopardi running themselves here, there and everywhere.

In the final quarter, Dino Zammit increased his side’s lead to 7-5 and Nikolai Zammit, after a number of earlier tries, managed to reduce the gap to 7-6. Dino Zammit made it 8-6 following a very harsh penalty decision. Niki Lanzon was unlucky to hit Tanti’s crossbar, with the ball rebounding to the unmarked Andreas Galea who swam a long way before potting past Alan Borg Cole.

In the last minute Matthias Azzopardi highlighted a good performance with a powerful central drive that had Tanti beaten.

April 13, 2019

Neptunes to meet Valletta in play-offs NEPTUNES 6

|

SLIEMA 8

(2-2, 0-3, 1-1, 3-2) Following this 8-6 defeat to Sliema this afternoon, Neptunes, who finished second in the Winter League preliminary with nine points together with Valletta, but with a better goal-difference than the Citizens (1-0), will now meet Bogdan Rath’s team on May 5, in the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Sliema, could only amass six points (goal-difference -5) to finish fourth and the team from Għar id-dud will now play holders San Ġiljan on the same date.

This afternoon’s match was a comedy of unforced errors for Neptunes whose young players failed to live up to their recently-built reputation. Besides, the control of the referees did not go down well with our supporters who thought they were often inconsistent.

The Balluta Bay team welcomed back to the side after suspension, Jake Muscat who scored Neptunes’ first goal when equalizing Sliema’s opener through Liam Galea. Then, Ken Erdogan, who was red-carded in the last session, scored his first of a brace, with a well-taken shot to beat the ever-alert Miguel Vassallo in the Sliema goal. Galea, however, equalized for Sliema and the first session ended at 2-2.

30 WINTER LEAGUE 2019

The second quarter was the worse of the lot for Neptunes as they lost it 3-0 despite enjoying numerical superiority on four occasions. Two from Michael Cordina and one from Spiteri Staines (penalty) put Sliema 5-2 ahead. In an effort to try and reduce the deficit, Neptunes were leaving their back-door exposed and Sliema pounced on the easy chances that came their way (2-5).

Matthias Azzopardi was introduced in the third quarter and he temporarily bridged the gap only for Zach Mizzi to score for the Blues at the other end. This quarter was again characterized by erratic and sometimes senseless passing.

Two quick goals from Azzopardi and Erdogan gave the wrong impression that Neptunes were to effect an effective comeback in the last session. Coach Sergio Afric was red-carded for Sliema but another penalty-throw from M. Spiteri Staines and an exquisite flick from Zach Mizzi kept Sliema’s noses in front. Two minutes from time Gabriel Pace closed the game with a powerful shot.

For the record Neptunes suffered five expulsions and two penalties to Sliema’s nine.

STANDINGS AS AT APRIL 13, 2019 P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

San Ġiljan

5

5

0

0

58

38

+20

15

NEPTUNES

5

3

0

2

48

47

+01

9

Valletta

5

3

0

2

53

53

0

9

Sliema

5

2

0

3

46

51

-05

6

Sirens

5

1

1

3

35

40

-05

3

Exiles

5

0

1

4

37

48

-11

1

May 5, 2019

Neptunes to meet Sliema in the Winter League Cup final WORKMANLIKE DISPLAY PRODUCES IMPRESSIVE VICTORY FOR THE RED BABES NEPTUNES 14

| VALLETTA 2

(4-0, 6-0, 2-0, 2-2) The final of the 25th edition of the Winter League is to be contested by nine-times holders Neptunes and eight times winners Sliema, following their victories this morning over Valletta and San Ġiljan respectively.

6 - goal Jeremy

Neptunes coasted to this huge victory over the Citizens due to the impressive performances by all their young players imbued by 38-year-old captain Niki Lanzon whose immense experience was a telling factor for the babes in the side to raise their game. In defence the Balluta Bay side was almost faultless with Matthias Azzopardi ably aided by Ken Erdogan, Gabriel Pace, Jake Muscat and Nikolai Zammit, simply choking the menace expected from Valletta's centre-man Peter Borg.

In attack Neptunes displayed sense in their build-ups and in their No. 9 Jeremy Abela they had the ideal lethal marksman as he notched no fewer than six goals, some fit for the picture gallery to go along with the others his team-mates managed to notch.

With the half-time score at 10-0, the Neptunes coach Jovan Popovic introduced a number of tail-enders, including the likes of Seb Stellini and Seb Busuttil. The side then was being marshalled by the ‘seniors’ in the side, goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole and Gabriel Pace. More youngsters entered the fray such as Max Farrugia (he scored one too) and Sam Gialanze during the final quarter and the Citizens took advantage of this by

registering their only goals through Andrea Agius and Andrea Bianchi.

For Neptunes, Jeremy Abela scored two in each of the first two sessions and one in each of the last two. Matthias Azzopardi scored one in the first and another in the third quarters while Niki Lanzon (2), Ken Erdogan and Jake Muscat scored their goals in the second. Gabriel Pace scored Neptunes' fourth goal in the first session. Young Max Farrugia scored the 13th goal in the final session, just before Jeremy Abela rounded his tally of six.

WINTER LEAGUE 2019 31

YEARS

WINTER LEAGUE 2019

May 11, 2019

POPOVIC TRIUMPHS WITH HIS YOUNG BABES Neptunes show what stuff they are made of as they soundly beat Sliema 13-9 NEPTUNES 13

|

SLIEMA 9

(5-2, 1-3, 2-4, 5-0) The Neptunes Babes, the underdogs before the match, this evening rose to the occasion and obtained a handsome victory over Sliema to win the 2019 Winter League championship for a record tenth time.

Since this league’s inception in 1994, Neptunes always used this competition to give their number of promising youngsters a taste of ‘big time’ experience and this policy seems to have produced more than the desired results for the club.

In fact when the first competition took place Neptunes gave the baptism of fire to a number of toddlers, among whom was Niki Lanzon who, having a glittering career dotted with honours, today added this winter league title to his impressive array and he scored no fewer than five goals in the process.

reduced the arrears with another distant shot but Jake Muscat wrapped up the first session scoreline with a penalty-throw.

The Blues were dead-set to effect a bold comeback in the second session with Gabarretta (2) and Benji Cachia bringing the teams on level terms. But before the Cachia goal there was Bugelli’s expulsion which dashed any hopes Sliema must have envisaged. Niki Lanzon surprised the Sliema goalkeeper with a well-placed distant shot (6-5).

In the third session, Benji Cachia scored his second goal on the night to make it 6-6 but Matthias Azzopardi and Nicholas Zammit put Neptunes ahead at 8-6. The Reds seemed to have temporarily lost concentration as Sliema crawled back and even went ahead for the first and only time in the match with quick goals from Benji Cachia (his personal third), veteran Mark Meli and Michael Spiteri Staines (8-9 for Sliema).

Niki together with the other ‘veterans’ in the side, Alan Borg Cole and Gabriel Pace, marshalled their team to perfection and it was a feather in the cap for Popovic to guide the youngsters in the side towards this victory. Its interesting to note that Neptunes are playing without the Camilleri brothers, Jordan and Steven, who are militating in the Italian Serie A with Roma.

Tonight, the scoreline could have been more pronounced had the players in the Balluta Bay side not missed a number of sitters by erratic shooting on at least four occasions with Sliema pouncing on these errors to break and restore some semblance to the result.

Sliema were let down by their erstwhile ‘star’ Nicholas Bugelli who was red-carded following a stupid punch-up on Neptunes centre-man Jeremy Abela, who up till then had scored three goals with Neptunes leading 5-4. This incident happened in full view of the spectators present and it was surprising how the referees, Mario Dalli and Peter Balzan, did not classify such ungentlemanly behaviour as ‘brutality’. There were two other occasions when players from each side were expelled simultaneously, when it was evident that the Neptunes players were the victims.

But taking into consideration the rivalry that was glaringly being indulged in by the two sets of players, the overall control of the officials was satisfactory, although if there was a match-inspector he would have thought otherwise.

The Reds won the first session 5-2 with Jeremy Abela scoring the first three goals, Spiteri Staines pulling one back and Lanzon restoring Neptunes’ three-goal advantage. Sciberras 32 WINTER LEAGUE 2019

Left-hander Nikolai Zammit

But the last quarter again belonged to Neptunes as another ‘speciality’ from skipper Lanzon, a Jeremy Abela shot after Vassallo had parried Jake Muscat’s first attempt and another penalty from Lanzon made it 11-9.

Sliema had the chance to reduce the gap once more but Alan Borg Cole neutralized Spiteri Staines’ effort from a penalty-throw. It was all over bar the shouting as Neptunes further increased their goal-tally from Azzopardi and Lanzon.

Neptunes, who out-swam and out-manoeuvred their opponents, were worthy winners.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 5, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, V. Ragone, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 1, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 4, N. Zammit 1, S. Stellini, M. Azzopardi 2, B. Busuttil, S. Gialanze, M. Farrugia.

Sliema: M. Vassallo, J. Gabarretta 2, L. Galea, J. Sciberras 1, M. Meli 1, B. Cachia 3, M. Spiteri Staines 2, C. Cutajar, M. Cordina, D. Rizzo, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli, J. Sammut.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Mario Dalli.

YEARS

WINTER LEAGUE Photo Gallery

WINTER LEAGUE 2019 33

YEARS

WINTER LEAGUE LINE-UP RECORDS

MARCH 22, 2019 Exiles Neptunes (1-5, 2-3, 4-1, 2-1)

9 10

MARCH 30, 2019 Valletta Exiles (0-4, 1-3, 1-3, 3-1)

8 7

APRIL 3, 2019 Exiles San Ġiljan (1-2, 4-3, 2-5, 2-4)

9 14

Exiles: M. Castillo, von Brockdorff, A. Magri, M. Stellini 1, T. Sullivan, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 3, K. Griscti, N. Paris 3, A. Cousin 1, B. Lanzon, P. Paris 1, M. Martin.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Erdogan, G. Pace 3, M. Castillo, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 2, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 1, N. Zammit 2, S. Stellini, S. Gialanze, B. Busuttil.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Massimo Angileri.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Agius, P. Borg, C. Zammit, R. Mock 1, D. Paolella, M. Mifsud 2, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit 5, M. Lanzon, L. Gialanze.

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorff, A. Magri, M. Stellini 1, T. Sullivan 2, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti 2, N. Paris, A. Cousin 2, B. Lanzon, P. Paris, S. Apap.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Ronnie Spiteri.

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorff, A. Magri, M. Stellini, T. Sullivan 1, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 1, K. Griscti 3, N. Paris, A. Cousin 3, B. Lanzon 1, P. Paris, S. Apap.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, J. Portelli, A. Galea 2, B. Grech, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 6, B. Plumpton 3, C. Farrugia, T. Said, Darren Zammit 2, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 1, T. Micallef.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Massimo Angileri.

MARCH 23, 2019 San Ġiljan Sirens (1-1, 5-0, 3-2, 1-3)

MARCH 30, 2019 San Ġiljan Sliema (4-1, 2-1, 3-1, 3-4)

APRIL 5, 2019 San Ġiljan Neptunes (2-3, 1-1, 3-1, 3-2)

10 6

12 7

9 7

San Ġiljan: T. Micallef, K. Magri, A. Galea 1, B. Grech, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 2, B. Plumpton 2, C. Farrugia, T. Said, R. Caruana, P. Fava 1, Dino Zammit 4, D. Tully.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina 2, P. Privitera, M. Grech 1, R. Galea, J. Zerafa Gregory 2, I. Riolo 1, J. Napier, Z. Bartolo, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Stefan Licari.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, K. Magri, A. Galea 2, B. Grech, K. Dowling 1, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton 3, C. Farrugia, T. Said 2, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 2, T. Micallef, M. Ortoleva 1.

Sliema: J. Sammut, A. Mifsud, D. Rizzo, J. Sciberras, B. Zammit, M. Spiteri Staines 1, M. Cordina 2, Matteo Muscat, Z. Mizzi 3, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Mario Dalli.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, J. Portelli. A. Galea 1, B. Grech, K. Magri, B. Plumpton 2, C. Farrugia, T. Said 1, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 4, R. Caruana.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Erdogan, G. Pace 1, V. Ragone, J. Farrugia, S. Stellini, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 1, N. Zammit 2, M. Azzopardi 1, B. Busuttil.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Peter Balzan.

MARCH 23, 2019 Sliema Valletta (3-1, 4-5, 4-4, 3-7)

APRIL 2, 2019 Sliema Sirens (1-2, 2-1, 1-3, 2-3)

APRIL 6, 2019 Sirens Valletta (1-1, 1-2, 3-2, 1-2)

14 17

6 9

6 7

Sliema: J. Sammut, A. Mifsud 2, D. Rizzo 1, J. Sciberras 2, B. Zammit, B. Cachia, M. Spiteri Staines 5, C. Cutajar, M. Cordina, M. Muscat, Z. Mizzi 4, M. Vassallo, J. Cutajar.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 3, A. Agius 2, P. Borg 1, C. Zammit 1, R. Mock 1, D. Paolella 1, M. Mifsud 7, N. Farrugia 1, M. Zammit, M. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici, A. Bianchi.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Neville Mercieca.

Sliema: J. Sammut, A. Mifsud, L. Galea, J. Sciberras, B. Zammit, B. Cachia, M. Spiteri Staines 1, D. Rizzo, M. Cordina, M. Muscat, Z. Mizzi 2, N. Bugelli 3, M. Vassallo.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina 3, P. Privitera 1, M. Grech 1, L. Grech Carr, L. Galea, I. Riolo 1, J. Napier 1, Z. Bartolo, L. Caruana 2, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Neville Mercieca.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar 1, E. Aquilina 3, P. Privitera, M. Grech 1, R. Galea, I. Riolo 1, J. Napier, Z. Bartolo, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, G. Galea Curmi.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 2, A. Agius, P. Borg 1, C. Zammit 1, R. Mock, D. Paolella, M. Mifsud 1, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit, M. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Mario Dalli.

MARCH 29, 2019 Sirens Neptunes (1-2, 2-4, 3-3, 3-3)

APRIL 3, 2019 Neptunes Valletta (5-2, 2-2, 6-3, 0-5)

APRIL 6, 2019 Sliema Exiles (3-1, 3-3, 2-1, 3-2)

9 12

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina 7, P. Privitera, M. Grech, G. Farrugia, J. Zerafa Gregory, I. Riolo, J. Napier, Z. Bartolo, L. Caruana 2, M. Sciberras, G. Galea Curmi.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace, V. Ragone, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 5, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 1, N. Zammit 4, S. Stellini, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Massimo Ancilleri.

34 WINTER LEAGUE 2019

13 12

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Erdogan 3, G. Pace, M. Castillo, J. Farrugia, S. Stellini, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit 4, I. Zammit, M. Azzopardi 1, Benji Busuttil.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Agius, C. Zammit 1, R. Mock 1, D. Paolella, M. Mifsud 2, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit 3, M. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici.

Referees: Neville Mercieca, Mario Dalli.

11 7

Sliema: M. Vassallo, A. Mifsud, L. Galea 2, J. Sciberras 3, M. Meli 3, D. Rizzo, M. Spiteri Staines, C. Cutajar, M. Cordina, M. Muscat, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 3, M. Farrugia.

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorff, A. Magri, M. Stellini, T. Sullivan, S. Xerri de Caro 2, M. Fenech, K. Griscti 1, N. Paris, A. Cousin 1, B. Lanzon 3, P. Paris, S. Apap.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Massimo Angileri.

APRIL 12, 2019 Valletta San Ġiljan (2-4, 2-1, 2-4, 3-4)

9 13

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius, P. Borg 1, C. Zammit 1, R. Mock, D. Paolella 1, M. Mifsud, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit 3, M. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, J. Portelli 1, A. Galea 1, B. Grech, R. Caruana, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton 1, C. Farrugia, T. Said 2, Darren Zammit 1, D. Tully, Dino Zammit 5, T. Micallef.

Referees: M. Angileri, Stefan Licari.

APRIL 13, 2019 Neptunes Sliema (2-2, 0-3, 1-1, 3-2)

PLAY-OFF Third place

MAY 5, 2019 Neptunes Valletta (4-0, 6-0, 2-0, 2-2)

MAY 10, 2019 Valletta San Ġiljan (4-2, 0-6, 0-3, 1-3)

14 2

5 14

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius 1, P. Borg, C. Zammit 1, R. Mock, D. Paolella, M. Mifsud, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit 2, M. Lanzon, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, A. Saliba, A. Galea 2, B. Grech, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 3, B. Plumpton 2, T. Said 3, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava 1, Dino Zammit 2, T. Micallef.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Massimo Angileri.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace 1, V. Ragone, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 1, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 6, N. Zammit, S. Stellini, M. Azzopardi 2, B. Busuttil, S. Gialanze, M. Farrugia 1.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Agius 1, P. Borg, C. Zammit, R. Mock, D. Paolella, M. Mifsud, N. Farrugia, M. Zammit, L. Gialanze, R. Bonnici, A. Bianchi 1.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Neville Mercieca.

Play-Off SEMI-FINAL 2

6 8

MAY 5, 2019 San Ġiljan Sliema (3-4, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan 2, G. Pace 1, S. Gialanze, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 1, S. Busuttil, J. Abela, N. Zammit, S. Stellini, M. Azzopardi 2, B. Busuttil.

Sliema: M. Vassallo, E. Schembri, L. Galea 2, L. Pace Mizzi, M. Meli, B. Cachia, M. Spiteri Staines 2, C. Cutajar, M. Cordina 2, D. Rizzo, Z. Mizzi 2, N. Bugelli, M. Farrugia.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Stefan Licari.

APRIL 13, 2019 Exiles Sirens (1-2, 1-2, 1-1, 2-0)

Play-Off SEMI-FINAL 1

MAY 12, 2019 Final Neptunes

10 11

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 5, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, V. Ragone, J. Farrugia, J. Muscat 1, S. Busuttil, J. Abela 4, N. Zammit 1, S. Stellini, M. Azzopardi 2, B. Busuttil, S. Gialanze, M. Farrugia.

Sliema: J M. Vassallo, J. Gabarretta 2, L. Galea, J. Sciberras 1, M. Meli 1, B. Cachia 3, M. Spiteri Staines 2, C. Cutajar, M. Cordina, D. Rizzo, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli, J. Sammut.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Mario Dalli.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, A. Saliba, A. Galea 2, B. Grech, K. Dowling, M. Zammit 4, B. Plumpton 1, C. Farrugia, T. Said 1, Darren Zammit, P. Fava 1, Dino Zammit 1, T. Micallef.

Sliema: J. Sammut, J. Gabarretta 2, L. Galea, J. Sciberras 3, M. Meli, B. Cachia 1, M. Spiteri Staines, D. Rizzo, J. Pace Mizzi, M. Muscat, Z. Mizzi 2, N. Bugelli 2, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Ronnie Spiteri.

5 5

13 9

Sliema (5-2, 1-3, 2-4, 5-0)

CLASSIFICATION AFTER ROUND ROBIN

Exiles: M. Castillo, C. von Brockdorff, A. Magri, M. Stellini 1, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti, N. Paris 2, A. Cousin 2, B. Lanzon, P. Paris, S. Apap.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Ciantar, E. Aquilina, P. Privitera 2, M. Grech, G. Farrugia, G. Melillo, I. Riolo 1, J. Napier, Z. Bartolo, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras 2, O. Gauci.

Referees: Alex DeRaffaele, Peter Balzan.

San Ġiljan NEPTUNES Valletta Sliema Exiles Sirens

P 5 5 5 5 5 5

W 5 3 3 2 1 0

D 0 0 0 0 1 1

L 0 2 2 3 3 4

F 58 48 53 46 37 35

A 38 47 53 51 48 40

GD 20 1 0 -5 -11 -5

Pts 15 9 9 6 4 1

NEPTUNES WINTER LEAGUE SCORERS Opposition Result Exiles Sirens Valletta San Ġiljan Sliema Valletta Sliema

10-9 12-9 13-12 7-9 8-6 14-2 13-9

Niki Ken Gabriel Lanzon Erdogan Pace

Jake Muscat

Jeremy Nikolai Matthias Max TOTAL Abela Zammit Azzopardi Farrugia

2 1 1 2 2 5

1 3 2 1 -

3 1 1 1 1 -

2 5 1 1 1

1 1 2 1 6 4

2 4 5 2 1

1 1 2 2 2

1 -

10 12 13 7 6 14 13

13

7

7

10

15

14

8

1

75 Goals WINTER LEAGUE 2019 35

YEARS

PRESIDENT’S CUP 2019

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Neptunes win President’s Cup for a record ninth time

NEPTUNES 14

|

SAN ĠILJAN 12

(after the taking of penalty-throws) (2-4, 2-2, 3-1, 4-4) (pens. 3-1) CHAMPIONS Neptunes tonight inscribed their name for the ninth time on the President’s Cup when they beat their neighbours San Ġiljan 14-12 after the taking of penalty-throws.

The score after normal time was 11-11 and the game had to be decided by the taking of penalties as the practice of playing extra-time has been done away with this year.

Of great satisfaction was the fact that almost all the tailenders in the squad were given the opportunity by coach Jovan Popovic to take part at some time or another in this match and these included Ken Erdogan, Nikolai Zammit, Jake Muscat and Matthias Azzopardi, who all did their utmost towards obtaining this victory.

This was a titanic battle between two star-studded sides with the Saints’ parading the outstanding foreign imports Guillermo Molina of Spain, but naturalized as an Italian

36 PRESIDENT’S CUP 2019

international and former Croatian international Niksa Dobud.

Neptunes had in their side, the Croatian Petar Muslim, who gave Neptunes a very decent contribution in last year's championship triumph and Montenegrin Darko Brguljan who plies his trade in Hannover, Germany.

The initial skirmishes gave the impression that San Ġiljan were going to pocket their fifth success in this final as they led the first session 4-2 and early in the second quarter they increased their lead to 6-2.

Molina, Steven Camilleri, Dobud, Brguljan, Zammit and Molina again, scored in this order during the first session (2-4 for San Ġiljan).

Matt Zammit and Molina made it 2-6 for San Ġiljan in the second session.

But gradually, the team guided by Jovan Popovic were getting

more into the picture mainly inspired by the brilliant saves of a superb Alan Borg Cole in the Neptunes goal. Alan denied his renowned adversaries time and time again, and he also effected a fantastic one-handed save from a penalty by Molina which could have given our opponents a 7-2 lead. A brace by Muslim reduced the arrears to 4-6.

The third quarter saw Neptunes’ total recovery as Brguljan and two penalty throws from Steven Camilleri, both committed by Molina, put the Reds ahead at 7-6 for the first time in the match. Dobud again brought a cheer for the Saints’ supporters as he equalized at 7-7 just as the gong went for the end of the session.

The final part was as dramatic as the 4-4 score suggests but here Neptunes seem to have suffered the brunt of some inexplicable decisions after Brguljan and Jordan Camilleri put Neptunes two goals ahead (9-7) and Molina and Plumpton were presented with easy chances to equalize at 9-9. Before San Ġiljan’s equalizer, Steven Camilleri received his third personal fault and two minutes later Gabriel Pace suffered the same fate. Prior to Pace’s definite expulsion, however, Neptunes were roaring for the lead again which duly came through veteran captain Niki Lanzon but again Matthew Zammit equalized (10-10). With two minutes and 51 secs to go Jordan Camilleri nosed Neptunes ahead at 11-10. Dobud then notched his hat-trick to equalise in the process (11-11). It is to

be noted that in this last session Neptunes received five expulsions to San Ġiljan’s one.

Neptunes came out on top in the penalty-throw session as San Ġiljan missed three throws due to two outstanding saves by Borg Cole off Molina and Dino Zammit as Dobud crashed the third shot against the crossbar.

The Reds were calmer and more focused in their throws with Muslim, Lanzon and Jordan Camilleri on the spot as Tanti managed to save only one throw, that of 16-year-old Jake Muscat.

The Cup was presented by the ASA President, Joe Caruana Curran to Niki Lanzon, the Neptunes' captain. Medals were also presented to the winners.

NEPTUNES: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon (2), K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim (3), Darko Brguljan (3), S. Camilleri (3), J. Camilleri (3), J. Abela, N. Zammit, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

SAN ĠILJAN: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea, N. Dobud (3), G. Molina (4), M. Zammit (4), B. Plumpton (1), K. Dowling, T. Said, Dar. Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit, Tonna, J. Bonnici, A. Saliba.

REFEREES: Massimo Angileri, Giovanni Loo Dico.

PRESIDENT’S CUP - ROLL OF HONOURS Year

Date

Winner

Match

Result

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

29th June 6th July 18th July 10th July 10th June 28th July 3rd August 2nd August 29th June 23rd July 15th July 29th July 31st May 23rd May 10th July 5th July 23rd June 2nd June 3rd June 3rd June 7th June 3rd June 10th June 11th June

San Ġiljan Sliema Sliema Neptunes Sirens Sirens Sirens Sirens Neptunes Sliema Neptunes Neptunes Sliema Neptunes Sliema Neptunes Sliema Neptunes Neptunes Sliema San Ġiljan San Ġiljan San Ġiljan Neptunes

Neptunes vs San Ġiljan Sliema vs Sirens M'Scala vs Sliema Sliema vs Neptunes Sliema vs Sirens Sirens vs Sliema Sliema vs Sirens Sirens vs Sliema Neptunes vs Sliema Sliema vs Sirens Neptunes vs Sirens Neptunes vs Sirens Neptunes vs Sliema Sliema vs Neptunes Neptunes vs Sliema Sliema vs Neptunes Sliema vs Neptunes Neptunes vs Sliema Neptunes vs Sliema Neptunes vs Sliema San Ġiljan vs Neptunes Neptunes vs San Ġiljan Neptunes vs San Ġiljan Neptunes vs San Ġiljan

8 - 12 4-2 6-9 7-8 5-7 7-6 5-7 7-5 7-4 9-4 7-6 9-8 9 - 12 5 - 10 15 - 16 (ET & Pens) 11 - 12 6-4 9-5 11 - 8 11 - 12 (ET) 6-5 7-9 10 - 11 14 - 12

WINNERS TABLE 9 Neptunes 7 Sliema 4 San Ġiljan 4 Sirens

PRESIDENT’S CUP 2019 37

YEARS

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

June 14, 2019

Winning start for Neptunes after early anxious moments NEPTUNES 22

|

OTTERS 12

(6-4, 7-4, 6-3, 3-1) CHAMPIONS Neptunes today gave their supporters an initial fright as they made heavy weather of the proceedings to shrug off the menace presented by Otters who must be commended for their valiant effort.

It was only from the third quarter onward that the Reds managed to make their superiority count as it was tit-for-tat in the early stages with the Gozitan side taking the lead twice and after going 2-4 down they made a remarkable comeback to equalize on 4-4. The Serbian Milos Filipovic and the Hungarian Ferenc Salamon in the Otters side turned out to be quite a handful for the Reds and very often they were catching our players on the wrong foot following some frequent attacker’s fouls when our defence was wide open. Filipovic was first on the mark for Otters with Petar Muslim, levelling matters. The Serb again put Otters in front but Steven Camilleri equalized with his first of eight goals he went on to score till the end of the match.

A brace from Darko Brguljan and Jordan Camilleri gave Neptunes a false sense of security as Salamon and Claudio Spiteri DeBarro closed the two-goal gap for a 4-4 scoreline.

However, in the last minute of this first session Neptunes made it 6-4 through Niki Lanzon and Brguljan (6-4). The second quarter started with Brguljan and Steven Camilleri adding two further goals for Neptunes but arrears were reduced for Otters as yet again it was Filipovic to score, this time from a penalty throw (8-5). The four-goal gap by another Jordan Camilleri goal (9-5) was again cut to three from another penalty, this time taken by Salamon (9-6). Jeremy Abela and Brguljan scored another two for the Reds (11-6), and although goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole effected some fine saves he could not stop former Neptunes player Benji Lanzon from notching two for Otters. In between the latter’s goals, Steven Camilleri obtained his hat-trick.

Towards the end of this session Ken Erdogan broke through and scored with a well-placed hard drive (13-8).

Neptunes’ worries were starting to ease from the start of the third part of the game as Nikolai Zammit, Jeremy Abela and Brguljan added to the score for 16-8. That man again, Filipovic and another former Neptunes player, Marc Lanzon temporarily reduced the eight-goal margin to six, but was soon restored through another brace by Steven Camilleri. Dominique Zahra gave some hope for Otters (18-11) but Steven Camilleri popped up with his sixth goal from a penalty-throw (19-11). Popovic made wholesale changes to his side for the final quarter with Benji Busuttil replacing Borg Cole between the sticks, and the

young goalkeeper giving a good account of himself with a couple of smart saves. Youngsters Seb Stellini and Julian Farrugia also had a taste of big game action. This session was a low-scoring one with the Camilleri brothers, Steven (2) and Jordan rounding the 22 for Neptunes and Filipovic’s personal fifth goal closing Otters’ tally.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon (1), K. Erdogan (1), G. Pace, P. Muslim (1), Darko Brguljan (5), S. Camilleri (8), J. Camilleri (3), J. Abela (1), N. Zammit (1), S. Busuttil, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Stellini, J. Farrugia.

Otters: M. Xerri, C. Spiteri DeBarro (1), F. Salamon (2), L. Hyzler, E. Meli, M. Lanzon (1), K. Scicluna, G. Mizzi, A. Mifsud, D. Zahra (1), B. Lanzon (2), M. Filipovic (5), D. Camilleri.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Fabio Brasiliano.

June 19, 2019

Another Neptunes ‘goleada’ NEPTUNES 21

| TA’ XBIEX 4

(7-0, 3-1, 5-3, 6-0) Neptunes coasted to their second massive victory in this second preliminary round group B when they beat Ta’ Xbiex 21-4. There was no story to write home about except that after the second session of tonight’s match the Balluta Bay side’s coach Jovan Popovic made drastic changes to the side and gave most of his youngsters in the squad the chance to gain valuable experience.

Until then the Reds had already built an almost unassailable 10-1 lead, with seven clear goals coming in the first quarter through Muslim (3), Steven Camilleri (2), his brother Jordan (1) and Darko Brguljan (7-0). Steven Camilleri, Jake Muscat and Nikolai Zammit made it 10 in the second session. Before Zammit’s goal Nenad Kacar converted a penalty throw. Young goalkeeper Benji Busuttil replaced Borg Cole in the third quarter. Steven Camilleri scored two N. Zammit , Jordan Camilleri and Jake Muscat were Neptunes’ scorers in this third part of the game with Kacar (2) and Keith Tanti replying for Ta’ Xbiex. Three goals from Steven Camilleri heralded the start of the final quarter and youngster Seb Busuttil was given the chance to put his name on the scorers’ list when he scored from a openalty-throw. Steven Camilleri came up with his personal ninth goal and the final score of 21-4 was wrapped up by the hard-working Ken Erdogan. Seb Busuttil's goal does not appear on the match card as he was wearing cap no. 14.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace, P. Muslim 3, Darko Brguljan 1, S. Camilleri 9, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat 2, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil 1, S. Stellini, J. Farrugia.

Ta’ Xbiex: Z. Sciberras, M. Demarco, M. Carani, G. Blundell, D. Fenech, N. Saliba, N. Kacar 3, K. Tanti 1, N. Gitto 1, A. Theuma, J. Saliba.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Massimo Calabro.

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019 39

YEARS

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

June 22, 2019

Neptunes make it safe in the latter sessions NEPTUNES 24

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MARSAXLOKK 12

(4-5, 5-3, 7-3, 8-1) Neptunes had to work very hard to gain complete supremacy in this match where the south seasiders, understandably, tried to rely too much on their undoubted classy players, Andrija Vlahovic and Ivan Nagaev, who between them scored seven of their side’s 12.

In their efforts to subdue their menace, especially that of Nagaev, the Reds suffered a spate of expulsions and their outstanding Montenegrin Darko Brguljan was already hanging on two personal faults midway through the second quarter.

However, if Marsaxlokk had their lethal performers in their two overseas players, Neptunes’ Brgulian, Petar Muslim and Steven Camilleri proved to be more than a handful, scoring 15 goals between them, some of which fit to hang in a picture gallery.

Nagaev, too, scored some beautiful goals, Marsaxlokk’s eighth being the pick of the lot.

Steven Camilleri, who had to leave the water with a bleeding nose with three minutes to go for the end of the third part, made his return in the final session conspicuous, with three goals in the first two minutes (19-11). Brgulian 20-11 and Vlahovic reduced the deficit for the last time from a penalty-throw (20-12).

However, Neptunes went on to score four more goals shared by Muslim and the fast-improving Nikolai Zammit (24-12).

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon1 , K. Erdogan, G. Pace 1, P. Muslim 5, Darko Brguljan 5, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, J. Farrugia, S. Busuttil.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Martellacci, T. Agius, A. Vlahovic 3, I. Nagaev 4, S. Micallef 2, R. Scerri 1, M. Cacici, O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar, L. Saliba.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Riccardo D’Antoni.

June 26, 2019

REDS sweep to their fourth victory NEPTUNES 21

| VALLETTA 13

(4-2, 7-1, 3-4, 7-6) Neptunes tonight swept to their fourth victory in this year’s summer league, after beating Valletta 21-13. Worthy of note is that the Reds scored more than 20 goals in each of the four matches played so far, 22-12 v Otters, 21-4 v Ta’ Xbiex, 24-12 v Marsaxlokk and tonight’s 21-13 v Valletta.

Soon after the start, Neptunes gave the impression that they were going to have an easy match as they were two up in the first two minutes of the game with Jeremy Abela scoring both from Brgulian’s assists. But a lob by Nagaev and an angled shot

by Luke Saliba brought both sides on level terms (2-2). Brgulian put Neptunes ahead again but Joseph Cremona’s side not only equalized through Stephen Micallef, but went on to a two-goal lead from Nagaev and Vlahovic goals (3-5). With 26 seconds remaining for the end of this first quarter, Niki Lanzon reduced the gap to 4-5.

But tonight the score could have been more pronounced had Jovan Popovic’s players showed more determination in their play as very often, especially in the initial session they betrayed signs of carelessness which resulted in a number of erratic or miscued passes. However, it was heartening to see that most of the tailenders in the squad were given a fair share in the proceedings and the way they did their part was satisfactory both for the coach as well as for the Neptunes’ supporters.

If Neptunes had their deadly sharpshooters in Petar Muslim, Darko Brguljan and Steven Camilleri, the Citizens, though having some heavyweights up front, relied mainly on overseas recruit Dmitri Kholod to get the goals. Petar and Steven each scored five goals while Kholod notched no fewer than seven goals of his side’s 13.

A Brgulian penalty regained parity and Steven Camilleri again procured Neptunes’ lead which they never relinquished till the end of the match. Brgulian made it 7-5 and Marsaxlokk tried to crawl back with a Ranier Scerri lob (7-6).

Petar Muslim scored his first of five personal goals (8-6) but until this session ended Vlahovic scored for 8-7, Muslim for 9-7 and Nagaev again brought the teams mighty close again on 9-8.

Steven Camilleri scored two quick goals at the start of the third quarter but one of the Neptunes’ ‘old boys’ Timothy Agius again reduced the difference between the two teams to two (11-9).

Then the Reds scored five goals without reply through Nikolai Zammit, Gabriel Pace, Petar Muslim, Jordan Camilleri and Darko Brgulian (16-9). Marsaxlokk, though did not give up and came back with Nagaev and Stephen Micallef for the session to end 7-3 and 16-11 overall.

40 SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

Darko scored a hat-trick and Gabriel Pace and Nikolai Zammit scored two each. Niki Lanzon, Jeremy Abela and Ken Erdogan were other Neptunes’ scorers. The 20thgoal came from young Seb Busuttil, the second time he scored in this summer league.

For the record the goals were scored in the following order: First session 4-2: P. Muslim, P. Muslim, S. Camilleri, D. Kholod (V), D. Brguljan, Daniel Paolella (V) (4-2).

Second Session 7-1: D. Brguljan, D. Kholod (V), P. Muslim, N. Lanzon, P. Muslim, P. Muslim, S. Camilleri, G. Pace (11-3).

Third Session 3-4: K. Erdogan, N. Farrugia (V), D. Kholod (V), S. Misic (V), P. Muslim, S. Misic (V), D. Brguljan (14-7).

Fourth Session 7-6: D. Kholod (V), S. Camilleri, D. Kholod (V), G. Pace, N. Zammit, M. Cordina (V), S. Camilleri, M. Cordina (V), J. Abela, S. Busuttil, D. Kholod (V), N. Zammit, D. Kholod (V) (21-13).

Neptunes suffered nine expulsions and two penalty throws; Valletta suffered eleven and four penalty-throws.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace 2, P. Muslim 5, Darko Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri, J. Abela 1, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil 1, J. Farrugia.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Agius, P. Borg, C. Zammit, R. Mock, D. Paolella (1), M. Mifsud, M. Cordina (2), M. Zammit, D. Kholod 7, N. Farrugia 1, R. Bonnici, S. Misic 2.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Stefano Scappini.

June 29, 2019

Reds succumb to late Sirens’ pressure NEPTUNES 14

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SIRENS 17

(3-2, 6-4, 2-4, 3-7) Neptunes tonight lost their unbeaten record in a match where they committed too many mistakes, although in the early stages it did not appear that it would eventually go the way of the St Paul’s Bay side.

Neptunes were ahead 3-2 at the end of the first quarter and then won the second on 6-4 (9-6 overall). Borg Cole here was the inspiration of a couple of saves especially when the Reds were a man down.

Midway through the third quarter Neptunes were 11-7 ahead and two quick goals by Prescuitti and one from Zerafa Gregory brought this part to a 4-2 win for Sirens (11-10 for Neptunes overall). In the last session Neptunes almost collapsed as Sirens equalized for the second time in the match on 11-11. The Reds missed a penalty and Riolo put the northern side ahead for the first time in the match (11-12) and they never looked back.

Aquilina increased the lead to 11-13 before Nikolai Zammit reduced the gap to one goal. But in the dramatic few minutes left, Gallo scored from a penalty throw, Prescuitti helped himself to another two and in between Steven Camilleri notched one for Neptunes. Zerafa Gregory made it 13-17 only for Brguljan to obtain his personal eighth goal for a 14-17 scoreline.

It must be mentioned that try as they might, Neptunes found it difficult to penetrate a resolute Sirens' defence with goalkeeper Nicky Griscti coming out tops on many occasions.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 8, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory 2, C. Presciutti 6, P. Privitera, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg 3, I. Riolo 2, V. Gallo 1, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 3, L. Caruana 1, M. Sciberras, G. Galea Curmi.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Gianfranco Bonavita.

July 2, 2019

Neptunes bounce back but waste too many chances EXILES 10

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NEPTUNES 15

(2-5, 3-4, 3-3, 2-3) Neptunes tonight bounced back from last Saturday’s setback against Sirens with a 15-10 victory against Exiles. However this win was not so convincing as a number of glaring chances were allowed to go a-begging and had it not been the sharpness of goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole the result could have been embarrassing for the Balluta Bay team.

Neptunes had to play a cautious game as three of the stalwarts in the side including the two overseas players, were hanging perilously on two personal faults and risked weakening their challenge. A couple of Neptunes’ exclusions were very dubious as it was evident that the Sirens players feinted being fouled with the referee falling for the ruse. Darko Brguljan was having a field day as he notched no fewer than eight goals. Muslim and Steven Camilleri were subdued but still managed to get two each. Jordan Camilleri and Nikolai Zammit scored one apiece.

For Sirens Christian Prescuitti scored six goals, Brownrigg three, Riolo, Aquilina and Zerafa Gregory two each and the remaining two goals came from a Gallo penalty and Caruana.

A team aspiring to maintain their hold on the championship cannot afford to waste so many easy chances that came their way. Even former Neptunes player in the Exiles goal, Matthew Castillo, had a fine match and he too kept the score down for his side. Exiles’ overseas players, Marko Jelaca and Milos Vukicevic were generally subdued as they could only help themselves to a brace each. At the other end every time Neptunes attacked they found a very crowded Exiles defence.

The Reds’ overseas players went one better with Petar Muslim scoring two and Darko Brgulian three. The locally grown Camilleri brothers scored seven between them, four coming from Jordan and three from Steven. The first session goals came from Brguljan, Cousin, Jordan Camilleri, Muslim, Griscti and Steven Camilleri (2-5). The second quarter started with Jelaca reducing the gap to two but Steven Camilleri and a Brguljan penalty made it 3-7. Muslim converted a pass from Nikolai Zammit and a few seconds later Jordan Camilleri received his first expulsion but Borg Cole came to the rescue and from his save, a pin-pointed pass to the breakaway Brguljan produced SUMMER LEAGUE 2019 41

YEARS

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019 It must be said, however, that the Saints’ goalkeeper, Jake Tanti, was prominent with a number of important saves.

The 23 goals came in this order: First session: Dino Zammit, Darko Brguljan, Molina, Steven Camilleri pen, Muslim, Molina soft goal (3-3).

Second session: S. Camilleri, Dino Zammit, Dobud pen, Brguljan, Darren Zammit 3-2 and 6-5 overall for San Ġiljan.

Third session: Matthew Zammit, S. Camilleri, Molina (distant shot), S. Camilleri, Brguljan, Molina pen. (9-8). Tanti effected a number of saves in this quarter.

Fourth session: A. Galea, Molina pen, Muslim, A. Galea, Gabriel Pace, A. Galea.

Neptunes’ ninth goal (3-9). But, another former Neptunes’ stalwart Michele Stellini and Jelaca made the overall score 5-9 for Neptunes. The third session ended all-square at 3-3 (overall 8-12). A Steven Camilleri penalty and a flashing shot by Nikolai Zammit made it 5-11. Jordan Camilleri was now hanging on two personal faults and Exiles tried to revive their fortunes with three consecutive goals before Jake Muscat scored with an angled shot. The last part of the game ended at 2-3 with first Jordan Camilleri flitting into an ideal position for Neptunes’ No. 13. Yet another Neptunes’ product, Sean Xerri de Caro reduced the gap once more but Matthias Azzopardi ghosted to the centre of the Exiles goal to score Neptunes’ 14th. Philip Paris swam unhindered to notch Exiles’10th.

Just before the start of the last minute Jordan Camilleri scored his personal fourth goal (10-15) and seconds later suffered his third expulsion. For the record the expulsions for Exiles were nine plus three penalties. Neptunes suffered four expulsions.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini 1, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 2, T. Sullivan, S. Xerri de Caro 1, M. Fenech, K. Griscti 1, M. Vukicevic 2, A. Cousin 1, N. Paris 1, P. Paris 1, M. Martin.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 3, J. Camilleri 4, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat 1, M. Azzopardi 1, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Referees: Alex DeRaffaele, Gianluca Centineo.

July 5, 2019

For the record Neptunes had five expulsions and three penalties against them. San Ġiljan had no fewer than 14 expulsions and one penalty.

For the record Neptunes had five expulsions and three penalties against them. San Ġiljan had no fewer than 14 expulsions and one penalty.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 3, N. Dobud 1, G. Molina 5, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 2, T. Micallef, J. Bonavia, A. Saliba.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace 1, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri, J. Abela, N. Zammit, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, S. Stellini.

Referees: Marco Piano, Massimo Angileri.

July 17, 2019 - Cross Over Prem

Multiple indecisions as Neptunes grind out victory Neptunes crash to neighbours despite poor performance SAN ĠILJAN 13

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NEPTUNES 10

NEPTUNES 10

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SLIEMA 9

(3-3, 3-2, 3-3, 4-2)

(2-3, 3-2, 2-2, 3-2)

Neptunes crashed to their second defeat of the season tonight, when they went down to neighbours San Ġiljan 13-10, in a match riddled with mistakes and indecisions from a number of quarters.

All’s well that ends well! Neptunes, this afternoon just managed to grind out a very welcome victory over eternal rivals Sliema despite producing a rather poor performance.

The Reds slightly improved on their recent displays but still were not good enough to prevent San Ġiljan from taking home the three points at stake. A number of indecisions characterized this match. Our defence was lacking compactness and up front our forwards were too hesitant when in front of goal. Certainly luck was not on our side. When Neptunes were roaring for the equalizer in the last session and they did get the ball in the net, the point was disallowed in view of an untimely call for time-out by our coach.

42 SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

Let me point out from the outset that this success was due mainly to a five-star spectacle by goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole, the sharp-shooting of four-goal Jordan Camilleri, and to a lesser extent, to the acceptable contributions of Steven Camilleri and Darko Brguljan. But the general opinion was that overall Neptunes were certainly not at their best.

I was a bit puzzled with Jovan Popovic’s decision to rest Gabriel Pace after Neptunes’ No. 4 scored two goals in quick succession at the start of the second quarter when he equalized at 3-3 and

YEARS

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

then put the Reds ahead on 4-3. This lad, who possesses a strong shot, did not make another appearance after these goals. Even Jeremy Abela did not have much time to prove himself as he was only given a fleeting appearance in the early stages. Nikolai Zammit and Matthias Azzopardi were given more space and they produced a creditable performance that justified Popovic’s faith in them.

The tailenders in the Neptunes’ squad such as Ken Erdogan and Jake Muscat were not even given a feel of the water. However, Popovic realized what was best for the side and in the end he had the last laugh by finishing on the winning side. In less than a minute from the start Jerome Gabarretta stunned the Neptunes clan with a goal from the centre and he repeated the dose when Darko Brguljan was expelled. But within a space of 40 seconds Neptunes equalized through Jordan Camilleri and Darko Brguljan. Subotic put the Blues ahead (2-3) with his first of a personal four goals.

Gabriel Pace immediately made an impact as soon as the entered the scene with two snap goals. Subotic struck again for a 4-4 scoreline, but Neptunes again went ahead from Jordan Camilleri (5-4) only for Zach Mizzi to bring the teams level again four seconds from the end of the second quarter (5-5). The third quarter saw Michael Spiteri Staines putting Sliema in the lead again after the Blues had suffered three successive expulsions which, however, they successfully defended (5-6) and for the second time in the match Sergio Afric’s team nosed two-goals in front (5-7) with another Subotic goal. Jordan Camilleri again came to Neptunes’ rescue to equalize with two goals in a minute (7-7) after some inspiring saves from Borg Cole at the other end.

The last session promised to be a heart-throbbing affair as Subotic put Sliema ahead at 7-8. With six minutes left, Steven Camilleri brought the teams level again (8-8). Neptunes were awarded two penalty-throws in less than a minute and first Brguljan and then Steven Camilleri, beat former Neptunes’ Aussie reserve goalkeeper Joe Parnis with perfectly taken shots (10-8). Nicholas Bugelli again reduced the deficit to 10-9 and immediately Popovic called two-time outs in quick succession.

With 27 seconds left on the clock, It was Afric’s turn to request a time-out in order to try to even matters out but it was over bar the shouting as Neptunes regained possession and the remaining seconds ticked away until full-time.

For the record Neptunes had four expulsions and suffered two goals; Sliema had 10 expulsions and two penalties against them and conceded four goals and two penalties.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace 2, P. Muslim, Darko Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri 4, J. Abela, N. Zammit, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 2, G. Subotic 4, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Andrea Zedda.

44 SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

July 19, 2019

San Ġiljan floored by Neptunes’ resilience SAN ĠILJAN 15

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NEPTUNES 16

(3-4, 6-3, 3-5, 3-4) In a very high-scoring opening premier league match, Neptunes edged out their neighbours by the odd goal in 31 this evening.

The Reds did not reach the heights they are renowned for, but their astonishing resilience was influential in this precious victory today.

Regrettably, Neptunes were on the receiving end of some vicious behavior when Steven Camilleri scored Neptunes 16th goal. Immediately the Neptunes’ scorer was attacked and during the skirmish that followed Ben Plumpton of San Ġiljan and Steven Camilleri, scorer of five of Neptunes’ goals were red-carded for what the officials deemed to have been brutality.

Steven came out of this ordeal with an injured wrist while his brother Jordan was hit in the head when the ball was purposely thrown at him. Dino Zammit also received a definite expulsion.

The teams consequently had to play the rest of the game (1.45 minutes) in six men. Neptunes had their players putting in an extra commitment. Apart from the Camilleri brothers who, between them, scored no fewer than nine goals, we saw youngsters Nikolai Zammit and Matthias Azzopardi fitting nicely in the thick of things. Zammit was conspicuous in the swim-ups for the ball and after a couple of errors due to his eagerness, his persistency was rewarded in the last session, when he not only put the Reds ahead at 14-13 but soon after he also got Neptunes’ 15th goal.

Petar Muslim was a slight improvement over the last match and the hat-trick he scored should be a morale-booster for Neptunes’ future matches. The other overseas player Darko Brguljan had a discreet match as he was closely looked after but towards the end of the third quarter he scored Neptunes’ equalizer at 12-12 and 14 seconds in the final session he put Neptunes in the lead again. It was also heartening to see that most of the tailenders were made use of by coach Jovan Popovic. Goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole again had an inspiring match between the sticks. Straight from the initial swim-up Muslim received the ball in the centre and he beat Tanti with a typical back-flip. A Steven Camilleri penalty put Neptunes two up but the Saints equalized through Dino and Darren Zammit goals. Steven again put Neptunes ahead only for Niksa Dobud to equalize at 3-3. Jordan Camilleri then restored Neptunes’ first session lead (3-4).

Twenty-seven seconds into the second quarter Muslim got his second goal, turning past Tanti a central Steven Camilleri throw (3-5). Jordan Camilleri was now hanging perilously on two personal faults and was occasionally rested with Azzopardi, Pace

and Erdogan all doing sterling work in defence.

But the Saints won this quarter 6-3 with the goals coming in this order: Muslim (3-5), Dobud (4-5), Jordan (4-6), Molina (5-6), Dino Zammit (6-6), Muslim (6-7), Dobud (7-7), Matt Zammit (8-7). Here San Ġiljan went ahead for the first time in the match. Dino Zammit made it 9-7 for San Ġiljan.

In the third session Marco Orlovic’s side increased their lead through Dobud’s fourth personal goal (10-7) and Molina seemed to have put the Saints on velvet with a 12-8 lead for his side. But Neptunes were far from undone as Jordan Camilleri, and two from Steven brought the Reds within striking distance again.

Niksa Dobud had to leave the water for good with one minute 17 seconds left for this session for committing a penalty and two personal faults. This boosted the Reds and Brguljan scored the equalizer at 12-12. The same player put Neptunes ahead at 12-13 in the fourth quarter but Molina equalized (13-13).

Tension started to soar and Paul Fava received a red card after a minute. Nikolai Zammit regained Neptunes’ lead at 13-14 and some two minutes later he again had the better of Tanti in the San Ġiljan goal (13-15). Two minutes and nine seconds from time San Ġiljan were given some hope as Molina scored his sixth personal goal (14-15). Steven Camilleri’s 16th goal for Neptunes sparked the flare-up referred to above. With 1:29.2 seconds to go for the end of the match Jordan Camilleri received his third personal fault and had to leave the water. However, Neptunes’ never-say-die attitude maintained their lead despite Molina having reduced it to one-goal 1:29.2 secs from time from a penalty-throw.

For the record San Giljan had 16 major fouls to Neptunes’ 13.

After this dramatic victory, celebrations by our players and supporters were more than justified.

Sequel to the aforementioned incidents, the ASA Disciplinary Commissioner suspended Ben Plumpton , Dino Zammit and Steven Camilleri for two matches each. But on appeal Steven’s ban and that of Dino Zammit were reduced to one match.

Plumpton’s appeal was turned down and his two-match ban remained.

This was a rather easy opposition they had to face. In fact, coach Jovan Popovic elected to withdraw from the water towards the end of the third session the overseas players Petar Muslim and Darko Brguljan and soon after the start of the final quarter brilliant goalkeeper Borg Cole also gave way to young Benji Busuttil who also covered himself with glory in the few minutes he was in action.

What surprised me in this match was the fact that Neptunes, obviously superior for most of the match, were pulled up for personal faults on no fewer than 12 occasions (with Jordan Camilleri and Matthias Azzopardi being fouled out), whereas Exiles only had five similar exclusions.

Neptunes had three players scoring a hat-trick each, Petar Muslim, Steven and Jordan Camilleri. Darko Brguljan and Nikolai Zammit scored two each and the other goals came from Ken Erdogan, Jeremy Abela and Jake Muscat.

On the opposing side, former Neptunes favourite Michele Stellini beat his colleague at work, Alan Borg Cole in the Neptunes’ goal on four occasions. Marko Jelaca and Milos Vukicevic each scored a brace and Timothy Sullivan and Mark Fenech scored the other two.

A Petar Muslim flick opened the evening’s account for the Reds and he went on to add another, however, not before Marko Jelaca had equalized at 1-1. Jordan Camilleri made it 3-1. Stellini scored his personal first goal but in the final minute of this first quarter Darko Brguljan and Jordan Camilleri made it 5-2.

The returning Steven Camilleri made it 6-2 in the third minute of the second quarter and after Vukicevic reduced the arrears (6-3), Ken Erdogan and Darko Brguljan made it 8-3. The latter was guilty of an incredible miss when, alone in front of the Exiles goalkeeper, he contrived to do the impossible and miscued his shot. Exiles reacted with three goals on the trot as twice Stellini and Jelaca managed to put the ball past Borg Cole. Neptunes ended this session 5-4 on top when Jordan and Steven Camilleri hammered shots past Matthew Castillo.

Petar Muslim again back-handed the ball past Castillo (11-6) and after surviving two man-up sets Neptunes struck again, twice through Nikolai Zammit (13-6).

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea, N. Dobud 4, G. Molina 6, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 3, T. Micallef.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 3, Darko Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 4, J. Abela, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Luca Bianco.

Here Muslim was called to rest and he was soon followed by Brguljan. Steven Camilleri notched his third goal 63 seconds into the last quarter (14-6) and again Stellini closed the gap at 14-7.

Then Jeremy Abela was rewarded for his persistency when he managed to beat Castillo after battling for possession in the centre (15-7). Sullivan and Mark Fenech managed to give the scoreline a more respectable look but Jake Muscat wrapped Neptunes’ account for the day. With 47 second to go for the end of the match Vukicevic made the final score 16-10.

July 23, 2019 - Premier Division

Exclusions: 10 and 2 penalties for Neptunes. Exiles suffered 5 exclusions.

Neptunes chalk up fourth victory in seven days NEPTUNES 16

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EXILES 10

(5-2, 5-4, 3-0, 3-4) Champions Neptunes tonight chalked up their fourth victory in seven days after having earlier beaten successively, Sliema and San Ġiljan in the League and again San Ġiljan in the KO competition.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace, P. Muslim 3, Darko Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 3, J. Camilleri 3, J. Abela 1, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat 1, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini 4, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 2, T. Sullivan 1, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 1, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 2, A. Cousin, N. Paris, P. Paris, M. Martin, S. Apap.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Giovanni lo Dico.

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019 45

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SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

June 26, 2019 - Premier Division

June 30, 2019 - Premier Division

Neptunes make sure in the first session

Neptunes’ workmanlike display topples top-of-the-table Sirens

NEPTUNES 19

SIRENS 6 |

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MARSAXLOKK 13

(8-0, 3-7, 4-1, 4-5) Neptunes tonight dismissed the challenge of Marsaxlokk whom they beat 19-13. The Reds practically made sure in the first session which ended 8-0.

The south-seasiders effected a partial comeback in the second quarter which they managed to win 3-7 (11-7 overall). Neptunes reacted in the third session when they won it 4-1 and in the last quarter Marsaxlokk managed to make it a more respectable scoreline by winning it 5-4. The Reds started like a house on fire and their slick play completely overwhelmed their opponents.

Jeremy Abela came out of his goal drought to put Neptunes ahead in the second minute and he later got another one in this session. In between his goals Petar Muslim had made it 2-0 (3-0 overall). Darko Brguljan scored the fourth and than Steven Camilleri notched a hat-trick. Before Steven’s last goal Matthias Azzopardi also made a welcome return to the goal-scorers’ chart when he beat Ryan Coleiro a few seconds after he had entered the pitch (8-0).

Brguljan made it 9-0 soon after the start of the second quarter but Timmy Agius broke Marsaxlokk’s deadlock to beat Borg Cole (9-1). It was 10-1 in the next minute through Jeremy Abela but twice Nagaev and Joseph Galea scored in quick succession for 10-4. Brguljan obtained his hat-trick after which Joseph Cremona’s outfit again scored three quick goal in the remaining 1:30 seconds through Rainier Scerri, Nagaev again and Andrija Vlahovic (3-7, 11-7 overall). In the third quarter, goals from Jordan Camilleri, Brguljan, Petar Muslim and Steven Camilleri increased Neptunes’ lead to 15-7 but that man Nagaev again reduced the gap between the two sides to seven goals (15-8).

Jeremy Abela obtained his fourth personal goal early in the last part of the match and some careless defending allowed Stephen Micallef to beat Borg Cole (16-9). Steven Camilleri and Nikolai Zammit increased Neptunes’ lead to 18-9 which was again reduced by a Vlahovic goal (18-10).

NEPTUNES 9

(2-3, 2-3, 2-1, 0-2) Displaying a thoroughly workmanlike performance, champions Neptunes tonight beat leaders Sirens who now drop to second place together with Sliema on 19 points, leaving the Balluta Bay side happily perched alone at the top of the pack on 21 points. The Reds played a very diligent game and all the players in the water contributed to this success, which could have been more pronounced had Neptunes not missed once again from a penalty-throw, and a Steven Camilleri ‘goal’ after he swam with the ball a couple of meters and beat Grixti in the Sirens’ goal had inexplicably been disallowed by the Italian official.

On the other hand, Sirens relied mainly on the former Italian international Valentino Gallo who did not let down his coach and supporters by scoring five of their six goals. Jovan Popovic’s side received an early boost when Jordan Camilleri powerfully hit in a brace but Gallo equalized with two goals in a minute. With Privitera out, Darko Brguljan again put Neptunes ahead, a lead that was never relinquished till the end of the match (2-3). Before the end of the first quarter came Neptunes’ penalty miss. Three beautiful goals by Petar Muslim, Darko Brguljan and Jordan Camilleri in the second session found the Reds leading 2-6, with goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole prominent with a number of timely blocks. However, before the end of this quarter veteran Paul Privitera made it 3-6.

Valentino Gallo again revived hopes for the northerners (4-6) in the third quarter and a another Gallo penalty-throw now saw Jordan Camilleri hanging on two personal faults (5-6).

Matthias Azzopardi beat Ryan Coleiro for his personal second goal (19-10) but in the last 1:50 seconds the Marsaxlokk overseas players Nagaev (2) and Vlahovic scored three goals to give the scoreline a more respectable look.

Matthias Azzopardi was doing useful work on the left flank and his timely pass to Steven Camilleri found the latter uncharacteristically scoring his only goal in this match (5-7). Another penalty-throw again found Gallo reducing Neptunes’ lead by an odd goal (6-7). It was expected that Sirens would launch a final charge in the last session to at least earn a draw, but Petar Muslim scored another picture-goal and then Borg Cole inspired his colleagues with a number of saves. Neptunes’ defensive lines remained intact and while Sirens had their chances being thwarted by Borg Cole, up front, 17-year-old Nikolai Zammit unmarked himself to put paid any hopes Sirens might have entertained to improve the end result, by beating Nicholas Grixti for a 6-9 success for Neptunes.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 4, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela 4, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi 2, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Cacici, T. Agius 1, J. Galea 1, A. Vlahovic 3, I. Nagaev 6, S. Micallef 1, R. Scerri 1, M. Pace, L. Saliba, F. Buhagiar.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Raffaele Colombo.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti, P. Privitera 1, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg, I. Riolo, V. Gallo 5, J. Napier, E. Aquilina, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras 1, O. Gauci, Z. Bartolo, G. Farrugia.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 1, J. Camilleri 3, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, S. Busuttil, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Luca Castagnola.

46 SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

August 6, 2019 - Premier Division

Top-of-the-table clash ends with comfortable victory for Neptunes REDS EARN AUTOMATIC SEMI-FINAL BERTH NEPTUNES 10

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SLIEMA 6

(2-2, 1-3, 5-1, 2-0) Champions Neptunes followed up their impressive 9-6 victory against Sirens last week with another workmanlike display against Sliema, whom they beat 10-6 this evening.

This performance by Jovan Popovic’s side, had the Blues bereft of any serious response to counteract Neptunes’ powerful display, never mind the continuous vociferous support received from the accompanying band and their supporters.

Consequently, the Sliema players had to resort to strict man-to-man marking which had disastrous results as they suffered no fewer than 12 major fouls (two of which were penalties) and two of their players Michael Spiteri Staines and Zach Mizzi were fouled out. Neptunes, on their part, with Alan Borg Cole as safe as houses, defended manfully and it was only on four occasions that they were a man down. It was when Sliema had already been penalized with eight expulsions after the start of the third quarter, that Neptunes received their first sending-off.

By this time Neptunes should have closed the game in view of the innumerable chances they had squandered and their misses could have been costly. Steven Camilleri again had a sublime match and he put Neptunes ahead after 1 min 40 seconds.

Nicholas Bugelli obtained Sliema’s equalizer and with Gabarretta out Muslim made it 2-1 for Neptunes. With two minutes left for the end of this first session Norbert Hoznyansky made it 2-2.

Sliema could never get back into the game as they found out the Neptunes goalkeeper Alan Borg goal in one of his best moods, saving anything that was thrown at him from all angles. The Blues were a demoralized lot and while Petar Muslim and Nikolai Zammit added two more to Neptunes’ tally, Sliema could only fire blanks.

That Jovan Popovic was a happy man after the match was a foregone conclusion and he had praise for all the players who took part in this important victory.

This success now puts Neptunes direct into the semi-finals of the play-offs.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, D. Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 1, G. Subotic 1, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 2, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin 1, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo, K. Borg, J. Cachia.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Domenico Rotondano.

August 28, 2019

Sliema and Neptunes set up best-out-of-three final SLIEMA 10 |

SAN ĠILJAN 9

(2-1, 1-5, 3-0, 4-3)

NEPTUNES 10 |

SIRENS 4

(2-0, 1-0, 2-2, 5-2) By virtue of their respective victories against San Ġiljan and Sirens this evening, Sliema and Neptunes set up a best-out-of-three final to determine the Aquatic Sports Association’s 85th Championship winners.

While the first match on the programme today was played at a frenetic pace with Sliema being rewarded in the final 2.5 seconds while playing without their two overseas players who were fouled out, the Sliema-Neptunes encounter was rather calm although once again Alan Borg Coie in the Neptunes’ goal distinguished himself with a number of timely blocks. It must also be said that the goal-posts on both sides took a very active part in this match as very often they stood in the way when both sets of players were on the verge of scoring. Both sides were assessing each other in the first period and it was only 2 mins 55.3 secs from the end of this session when Jordan Camilleri broke the deadlock by scoring from an acute angle when Napier was out.

Darko Brguljan converted a pass from the centre to put Neptunes ahead in the second quarter. A penalty throw taken by Darko Brguljan in the second minute of this quarter was annulled by the Italian official Domenico Rotondano. This would have put Neptunes two-goals ahead but instead Gavni Subotic equalized and Jerome Gabarretta and Hoznyansky shot the Blues ahead on 3-5.

In a space of one-and-a-half minutes in the third session, Steven Camilleri scored from Neptunes’ second penalty award (4-5) and followed up with two more to put the Reds 6-5 ahead, a lead which they never lost again. Brguljan made it 8-6 with 32 seconds to go for the end of the third quarter.

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019 47

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SUMMER LEAGUE 2019 Darko Brguljan, who scored no fewer than five goals tonight managed to reduce the score to 2-1. But the Blues were taking full advantage of Borg Cole’s indecisions to increase their lead to 4-1 through further distant shots from Gabarretta and Liam Galea. Jordan Camilleri and Nikolai Zammit revived Neptunes’ hopes of a comeback (3-4) but Hoznyansky put Sliema again two goals in front before the end of the first quarter (3-5).

Niki Lanzon who had a magnificent outing scored his first goal to make it 2-0. Niki went on to obtain a hat-trick. Play was tight in the second quarter and again Sirens failed to score while Neptunes added one to their tally from a not-so-fully-fit Steven Camilleri penalty (3-1). Edward Aquilina revived Sirens’ hopes with a well-taken goal and Valentino Gallo further reduced the arrears to 3-2. Neptunes, however, increased their lead to 5-2 with two goals out of nothing from the overseas recruits Darko Brguljan and Petar Muslim (5-2). After a Borg Cole save Neptunes had Jordan expelled and Prescuitti took advantage to make it 5-3.

Neptunes’ resilience began to show from the second session onward as they won each of the next three quarters by an identical 4-3 scoreline. But somehow Sliema still maintained a grip on the game as a beautiful back-hander by Zach Mizzi put them ahead on 6-3. Steven Camilleri scored from a penalty-throw (4-6) and Nicholas Bugelli scored at the other end (4-7). Two goals from Steven Camilleri brought the team close to each other on 6-7 but Gavril Subotic restored a two-goal lead for Afric’s men.

Jeremy Abela was on the receiving end of some robust play but it was he who was expelled for good. Sirens could not find a way past the Neptunes defenders and their morale was deflated when Nicky Lanzon scored his second goal after a personal dribble (6-3).

With Sirens again enjoying numerical superiority, Prescuitti did finally beat Borg Cole again but in the last minutes the St Paul’s Bay side realized that they could not catch up with the Balluta Bay team who took advantage of the advanced Sirens’ players to score two from timely breaks through Niki Lanzon and Steven Camilleri while Petar Muslim sealed Neptunes’ place in the final.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 3, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, D. Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri, 1 J. Abela, N. Zammit, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti 2, P. Privitera, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg, I. Riolo, V. Gallo 1, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 1, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, G. Sammut, G. Farrugia.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Raffaele Colombo.

September 4, 2019 - PLAY-OFF FINAL – MATCH 1

Game One - Advantage Neptunes NEPTUNES 15

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SLIEMA 14

(3-5, 4-3, 4-3, 4-3) Current champions Neptunes stole a march over Sliema tonight in the first match of the best-out-of-three final to determine the 2019 champions.

The Blues, who have not beaten Neptunes this season, the latest defeat being in the KO final 11 days ago, were determined not to let this chance of winning their first championship in ten years escape them. Their plan was to pepper shots at Neptunes’ goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole’s fort from all angles and initially this ploy was succeeding as in less than a minute from the start Sliema were already two goals ahead through Norbert Hoznyansky and Jerome Gabarretta.

48 SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

Sliema were staggered when, following a save by Maltese/Australian Joe Parnis, Darko Brguljan took advantage of one of the new rules introduced this year, to hammer an unstoppable shot from the resultant corner (7-8). Subotic obtained his hat-trick soon after the start of the third period with Nikolai Zammit scoring his second past a surprised Parnis (8-9).

When Jamie Gambin was expelled for the second time.

Neptunes’ coach Jovan Popovic called a time-out and Darko Brguljan managed to bring the teams on level terms for the first time in the match (9-9). That man Subotic saw to it that Sliema regained the lead but Jordan Camilleri did not let the Blues enjoy this advantage for long as he equalized on 10-10. Darko Brguljan’s personal fourth goal saw Neptunes going ahead for the first time in the match and what was looking well nigh impossible in the beginning was now becoming rosy for Neptunes (11-10). The end of the session, however, saw the two teams locked at 11-each, Sliema equalizing from Subotic.

In the final quarter a player who caught the eye and who had a big hand in Neptunes’ recovery and eventual victory was Nikolai Zammit who capped a glorious performance with two goals.

First he put Neptunes 12-11 in front but this was erased by Gabarretta with his third goal (12-12).

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SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

Nikolai again repeated the trick to beat Parnis for a 13-12 advantage. The score changed to 13-13, four minutes 28.2 seconds from the end of the game from a flick by Jamie Gambin.

Steven Camilleri, another sound performer for the Reds tonight, put Neptunes 14-13 ahead and following another time-out call

by Popovic, Darko Brguljan put Neptunes two goals ahead with 48.8 seconds to go. Jerome Gabarretta obtained his fourth personal goal two seconds from time.

A banner showing il-Grande Capitano Niki Lanzon, whose retirement from the game following these finals was announced yesterday, was hanging in the Neptunes’ supporters corner during the match as tribute to Neptunes' legendary captain.

Sliema and Neptunes now meet again for the second time on Saturday, 7th September at 7.30 p.m.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim, D. Brguljan 5, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela, N. Zammit 4, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 4, G. Subotic 4, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 2, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea 1, B. Cachia, J. Gambin 1, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Alessandro Severo, Peter Balzan.

championships and 26 Knock-Outs, while Neptunes have 26 championships and 23 Knock-Out honours under their belt.

Today’s second match in the best out-of-three finals was very different to the first one which Neptunes won 15-14.

There was an improved performance in the defensive sector with goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole quickly forgetting the off-day he experienced three days ago with a number of timely interventions that frustrated the opposing goal-seekers.

Sergio Afric’s men had an auspicious start as in their previous Match 1 encounter, winning the first session 4-2 and it was thought that the Blues were going to fight tooth and nail to win their first championship in ten years.

After Darko Brguljan got the first goal, Sliema equalized through a spectacular Norbert Hozyansky back-hander, and as Steven Camilleri scored his first of a personal six-goal haul, Hozyansky again and twice Jamie Gambin put Sliema on velvet (4-2).

Darko Brguljan and Nikolai Zammit brought the teams on level terms again and Steven Camilleri nosed Neptunes in front (4-5) only for Gavril Subotic to regain parity for the Blues (5-5). Late in this second session, Mark Meli was excluded with substitution after he threw a punch in the face of his immediate opponent.

September 7, 2019 - PLAY-OFF FINAL – MATCH 2

Game two - and its all over now

Neptunes earn 26th championship to make it a memorable 90th anniversaRy SLIEMA 10 |

NEPTUNES 14

(4-2, 1-4, 3-5, 2-3) Neptunes tonight inscribed their name for the 26th time on the ASA waterpolo championship and in the process carried off the Quadruple crown – the winter league, the president’s cup, the KO competition and the prestigious league championship.

It is indeed a feather in the cap for club president Matthew Bonello, who has established himself as the most successful president of all time winning no fewer than 10 championships in 14 years and eight times in the last ten years.

Under Bonello’s guidance, Neptunes grew immeasurably and are now within striking distance of Sliema who claim to have dominated the waterpolo scene since 1925, having won 31 50 SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

The goal which drew a very loud cheer was Neptunes’ sixth scored by the retiring club captain and legend, Niki Lanzon and the Reds went further ahead through Brguljan on 5-7. Neptunes never looked back from Lanzon’s goal and although Hoznyansky reduced the gap to 6-7 Jordan Camilleri soon made it 6-8.

Neptunes’ most successful captain was then withdrawn amid vociferous applause from the Neptunes’ fans.

The Blues now seemed to be an uninspired lot and although Gavril Subotic made it 7-8 Steven Camilleri scored two in 43 seconds to put Sliema in deep trouble (7-10).

With Petar Muslim out, Zach Mizzi tried to revive the Blues’ hopes with their eighth goal but Jordan soon replied with his second personal goal (8-11).

Two goals from Steven Camilleri and Petar Muslim two minutes into the last session, sparked the end of Sliema’s full-blooded resistance (8-13) and some Sliema supporters were seen leaving the national pool well before the end of the match. Although Nicholas Bugelli reduced the deficit to 9-13 Steven Camilleri wrapped Neptunes’ tally with his sixth personal goal (9-14).

Here Steven Camilleri left the water to the cheers of the jubilant Neptunes’ supporters. It was all over bar the shouting as Gavril Subotic obtained his hat-trick, which, however, had no bearing on the outcome. Sliema were left breathless and Neptunes could celebrate their 90th anniversary in style.

A couple of minutes before the end of the match fireworks were let off from the Neptunes supporters’ end to herald this impressive victory.

Celebrations which started at the national pool then continued at the club’s premises in Balluta Bay and went on through the early hours of Sunday morning. There will be more celebrations on Sunday after Noon.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta, G. Subotic 3, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 3, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin 2, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 1, D. Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Referees: Luca Bianco, Filippo Gomez.

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019 51

YEARS

SUMMER LEAGUE LINE-UP RECORDS

JUNE 14, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Neptunes 22 Otters 12 (6-4, 7-4, 6-3, 3-1)

JUNE 15, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A San Ġiljan 18 Marsascala 11 (7-1, 4-0, 3-5, 4-5)

JUNE 19, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A Sliema 14 Exiles 7 (2-3, 1-3, 6-0, 5-1)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace, P. Muslim 1, Darko Brguljan 5, S. Camilleri 8, J. Camilleri 3, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit 1, S. Busuttil, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Stellini, J. Farrugia.

Otters: M. Xerri, C. Spiteri DeBarro 1, F. Salamon 2, L. Hyzler, E. Meli, M. Lanzon 1, K. Scicluna, G. Mizzi, A. Mifsud, D. Zahra 1, B. Lanzon 2, M. Filipovic 5, D. Camilleri, D. Dimech, C. Teuma.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Fabio Brasiliano.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 1, N. Dobud 8, G. Molina 1, M. Zammit 2, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling 2, T. Said 2, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 2, T. Micallef.

Marsascala: J. Micallef, JC Cutajar 1, A. Camenzuli 1, M. Manara, M. Aquilina, L. Grixti 1, K. Navarro, K. Milakovic 5, K. Averka 3, J. Culic, R. Attard, D. Borg Millo, M. Borg.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Fabio Brasiliano.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 3, G. Subotic 3, J. Sciberras, M. Meli 1, N. Hoznyansky 3, M. Spiteri Staines 2, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 2, M. Vassallo.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 3, T. Sullivan 1, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 2, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 1, A. Cousin, N. Paris, P. Paris, M. Martin.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Andrea Baretta.

JUNE 14, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Sirens 20 Marsaxlokk 13 (4-4, 5-2, 4-5, 7-2)

JUNE 18, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Sirens 21 Otters 14 (6-3, 7-2, 4-3, 4-6)

JUNE 19, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Neptunes 21 Ta’ Xbiex 4 (7-0, 3-1, 5-3, 6-0)

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory 2, C. Presciutti 4, P. Privitera 1, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg 2, I. Riolo 3, V. Gallo 5, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 1, L. Caruana 1, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, Z. Bartolo, G. Farrugia 1.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja 1, M. Rizzo, T. Agius, M. Martellacci, A. Vlahovic 4, I. Nagaev 4, S. Micallef 2, L. Saliba, J. Galea, O. Zammit 1, F. Buhagiar, M. Pace, K. Galea 1.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri,Francesco Romolini.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti 8, P. Privitera, M. Grech, G. Melillo, I. Riolo 2, V. Gallo 7, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 3, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras 1, G. Galea Curmi.

Otters: M. Xerri, C. Spiteri DeBarro, F. Salamon 3, L. Hyzler 1, E. Meli 1, M. Lanzon 1, K. Scicluna, G. Mizzi, A. Mifsud, D. Zahra 3, B. Lanzon, M. Filipovic 5, D. Camilleri.

Referees: Alex DeRaffaele, Massimo Calabro.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace, P. Muslim 3, Darko Brguljan 1, S. Camilleri 9, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat 2, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Stellini, J. Farrugia, S. Busuttil 1.

Ta’ Xbiex: Z. Sciberras, M. Demarco, M. Carani, G. Blundell, D. Fenech, N. Saliba, N. Kacar 3, K. Tanti 1, N. Gitto, A. Theuma, J. Saliba.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Massimo Calabro.

JUNE 15, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A Valletta 22 Ta’ Xbiex 8 (4-0, 6-3, 5-2, 7-3)

JUNE 18, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A Birżebbuġa 18 Marsascala 17 (4-5, 3-3, 4-5, 7-4)

JUNE 21, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Otters 8 Ta’ Xbiex 12 (3-3, 2-3, 2-4, 1-2)

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius, P. Borg 2, N. Farrugia 2, R. Mock, D. Paolella, M. Mifsud 3, M. Cordina 3, C. Zammit, D. Kholod 4, R. Bonnici.

Ta’ Xbiex: Z. Sciberras, R. Greco, M. Demarco, N. Schiavone, M. Carani, G. Blundell, D. Fenech, N. Saliba 1, N. Kacar 2, G. Sammut 2, K. Tanti, N. Gitto 1, A. Theuma, J. Saliba 2.

Referees: Richard Magri, Fabio Brasiliano.

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, M. Borg, N. Cassar 2, D. Pace Lupi, C. Mifsud 1, A. Petkovic 6, S. Vassallo, D. Cutajar 1, J. Bajada 2, M. Cutajar, B. Lorincz 4, M. Ortoleva 2, J, Cremona.

Marsascala: J. Micallef, JC Cutajar, A. Camenzuli, M. Manara 1, M. Aquilina, L. Grixti, K. Navarro 2, K. Milakovic 5, K. Averka 7, J. Culic 1, R. Attard, D. Borg Millo 1, M. Borg.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Andrea Baretta.

Otters: M. Xerri, C. Spiteri DeBarro 1, F. Salamon 2, L. Hyzler 1, E. Meli 1, M. Lanzo, K. Scicluna, G. Mizzi, A. Mifsud, D. Zahra, B. Lanzon 1, M. Filipovic 2, D. Camilleri.

Ta’ Xbiex: Z. Sciberras, R. Greco, M. Demarco, N. Schiavone, M. Carani, G. Blundell 1, D. Fenech 2, N. Saliba, N. Kacar 6, K. Tanti 1, N. Gitto 1, A. Theuma, J. Saliba 1.

Referees: Richard Magri, Riccardo D’Antoni.

JUNE 15, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A Sliema 18 Birżebbuġa 13 (4-3, 4-1, 7-4, 3-5)

JUNE 19, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Marsaxlokk 21 Valletta 16 (4-4, 7-5, 5-2, 7-3)

JUNE 21, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A San Ġiljan 16 Birżebbuġa 7 (4-1, 4-2, 1-1, 7-3)

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 3, G. Subotic 4, J. Sciberras, M. Meli 1, N. Hoznyansky 4, M. Spiteri Staines 1, L. Galea, B. Cachia 2, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi 3, M. Vassallo.

Birżebbuġa: D. Spiteri, M. Borg, N. Cassar, D. Pace Lupi 2, C. Mifsud, A. Petkovic 6, S. Vassallo 1, D. Cutajar 1, J. Bajada, M. Cutajar, B. Lorincz, M. Ortoleva 3, J, Cremona.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Francesco Romolini.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Rizzo 1, T. Agius, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 4, I. Nagaev 13, S. Micallef 2, L. Saliba, M. Cacici, O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar, K. Galea 1.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius, P. Borg, N. Farrugia 1, R. Mock, D. Paolella, M. Mifsud 4, M. Cordina 1, C. Zammit, D. Kholod 6, R. Bonnici, S. Misic 3.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Massimo Calabro.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea, N. Dobud 4, G. Molina 4, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton 3, K. Dowling 1, T. Said 1, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 1, T. Micallef, J. Bonavia 1.

Birżebbuġa: A. Bugeja, M. Borg, N. Cassar, D. Pace Lupi, C. Mifsud, A. Petkovic 4, S. Vassallo, D. Cutajar 1, J. Bajada, M. Cutajar, B. Lorincz 2, M. Ortoleva, D. Spiteri.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Luca Bianco.

52 SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

JUNE 22, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A Marsascala 8 Exiles 10 (1-3, 3-2, 0-3, 4-2)

JUNE 25, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A San Ġiljan 12 Exiles 12 (4-2, 1-3, 4-2, 3-5)

JUNE 28, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Marsaxlokk 12 Ta’ Xbiex 11 (4-4, 4-2, 3-2, 1-3)

Marsascala: J. Micallef, JC Cutajar 1, A. Camenzuli, M. Manara, M. Aquilina, L. Grixti, K. Navarro, K. Milakovic 3, K. Averka 3, J. Culic, R. Attard, D. Borg Millo, M. Borg, J. Ciantar 1.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini 1, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 4, T. Sullivan 1, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 3, A. Cousin, N. Paris 1, P. Paris, M. Martin.

Referees: Neville Mercieca, Luca Bianco.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 1, N. Dobud 4, G. Molina 1, M. Zammit 3, B. Plumpton 2, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 1, T. Micallef, J. Bonavia, A. Saliba.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 1, T. Sullivan 3, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 6, A. Cousin, N. Paris 2, P. Paris, M. Martin, S. Apap.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Mirko Schiavo.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Martellacci 1, T. Agius 1, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 5, I. Nagaev 4, S. Micallef, R. Scerri, M. Cacici, O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar, M. Pace, K. Galea 1.

Ta’ Xbiex: Z. Sciberras, R. Greco, M. de Marco, N. Schiavone, M. Carani, G. Blundell, D. Fenech, N. Saliba 3, N. Kacar 4, G. Sammut, K. Tanti 1, N. Gitto 3, A. Theuma.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Gianfranco Bonavita.

JUNE 22, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Neptunes 24 Marsaxlokk 12 (4-5, 5-3, 7-3, 8-1)

JUNE 26, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Sirens 20 Ta’ Xbiex 11 (4-0, 6-4, 4-2, 5-5)

JUNE 28, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A San Ġiljan 11 Sliema 7 (4-2, 3-2, 2-2, 2-1)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, K. Erdogan, G. Pace 1, P. Muslim 5, Darko Brguljan 5, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela 2, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, J. Farrugia, S. Busuttil.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Martellacci, T. Agius, A. Vlahovic 3, I. Nagaev 4, S. Micallef 2, R. Scerri 1, M. Cacici, O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar, L. Saliba.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Riccardo D’Antoni.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory 1, C. Presciutti 5, P. Privitera 2, M. Grech 2, J. Brownrigg 4, I. Riolo 1, V. Gallo 3, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 2, L. Caruana, Z. Bartolo, G. Galea Curmi.

Ta’ Xbiex: Z. Sciberras, R. Greco, M. Demarco, N. Schiavone, M. Carani 1, G. Blundell 1, D. Fenech 2, N. Saliba, N. Kacar 5, G. Sammut, K. Tanti, N. Gitto 1, A. Theuma.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Stefano Scappini.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 2, N. Dobud 2, G. Molina 2, M. Zammit 3, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit, P. Fava 2, Dino Zammit 1, T. Micallef, J. Bonavia, A. Saliba.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 2, G. Subotic 2, J. Sciberras, M. Meli 1, N. Hoznyansky, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin 1, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Stefano Scappini.

JUNE 22, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Sirens 15 Valletta 9 (4-2, 5-3, 2-1, 4-3)

JUNE 26, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A Sliema 14 Marsascala 8 (3-1, 4-1, 6-3, 1-3)

JUNE 29, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Otters 15 Valletta 23 (2-5, 2-6, 2-8, 9-4)

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory 1, C. Presciutti 5, P. Privitera 1, M. Grech 1, J. Brownrigg 3, I. Riolo 2, V. Gallo, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 1, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras 1, O. Gauci, G. Farrugia.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 1, A. Agius, P. Borg, C. Zammit, R. Mock, D. Paolella 2, M. Mifsud 2, M. Cordina 1, M. Zammit 1, D. Kholod 2, R. Bonnici, S. Misic 3.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Luca Bianco.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 4, G. Subotic 3, J. Sciberras 1, M. Meli 1, N. Hoznyansky 2, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea 1, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 2, M. Vassallo.

Marsascala: J. Micallef, JC Cutajar, A. Camenzuli, M. Manara, M. Aquilina, L. Grixti, K. Navarro, K. Milakovic 4, K. Averka 4, J. Culic, R. Attard, D. Borg Millo, M. Borg.

Referees: Mirko Schiavo, Ronnie Spiteri.

Otters: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri Debarro 1, F. Salamon 3, L. Hyzler, E. Meli, M. Lanzon 1, K. Scicluna, G. Mizzi 1, A. Mifsud, D. Zahra 2, B. Lanzon, M. Filipovic 7, M. Xerri, D. Dimech, C. Teuma.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines 2, A. Agius, P. Borg, C. Zammit 1, R. Mock, D. Paolella 2, M. Mifsud 1, M. Cordina, M. Zammit 3, D. Kholod 5, N. Farrugia 2, L. Gialanze 2, S. Misic 5.

Referees: Alex DeRaffaele, Gianfranco Bonavita.

JUNE 25, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Otters 16 Marsaxlokk 18 (3-4, 4-3, 2-8, 7-3)

JUNE 26, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Neptunes 21 Valletta 13 (4-2, 7-1, 3-4, 7-6)

JUNE 29, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp A Exiles 13 Birżebbuġa 11 (4-0, 3-2, 4-3, 2-6)

Otters: D. Camilleri, C. Spiteri Debarro 1, F. Salamon 3, L. Hyzler, E. Meli 4, M. Lanzon, K. Scicluna, G. Mizzi, A. Mifsud 4, D. Zahra, B. Lanzon, M. Filipovic 4, M. Xerri, D. Dimech, C. Teuma.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Rizzo, T. Agius 1, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 3, I. Nagaev 10, S. Micallef 1, R. Scerri 1, M. Martellacci, O. Zammit, L. Saliba, M. Pace 1, K. Galea 1.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Marko Schiavo.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace 2, P. Muslim 5, Darko Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri, J. Abela 1, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil 1, J. Farrugia.

Valletta: R. Sciortino, J. Spiteri Staines, A. Agius, P. Borg, C. Zammit, R. Mock, D. Paolella 1, M. Mifsud, M. Cordina 2, M. Zammit, D. Kholod 7, N. Farrugia 1, R. Bonnici, S. Misic 2.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Stefano Scappini.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini 1, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 3, T. Sullivan 3, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 5, A. Cousin, N. Paris 1, P. Paris, M. Martin.

Birżebbuġa: A. Bugeja, M. Borg, N. Cassar, D. Pace Lupi, C. Mifsud, A. Petkovic 4, S. Vassallo 2, D. Cutajar, J. Bajada, M. Cutajar 1, B. Lorincz 3, M. Ortoleva 1, D. Spiteri.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Stefano Scappini.

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019 53

YEARS

SUMMER LEAGUE LINE-UP RECORDS

JUNE 29, 2019 - Prel Rd Grp B Neptunes 14 Sirens 17 (3-2, 6-4, 2-4, 3-7)

JULY 5, 2019 - Cross-over Premier San Ġiljan 13 Neptunes 10 (3-3, 3-2, 3-3, 4-2)

JULY 17, 2019 - Cross-over Premier Neptunes 10 Sliema 9 (2-3, 3-2, 2-2, 3-2)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 8, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory 2, C. Presciutti 6, P. Privitera, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg 3, I. Riolo 2, V. Gallo 1, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 2, L. Caruana 1, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, G. Farrugia.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Gianfranco Bonavita.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 3, N. Dobud 1, G. Molina 5, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 2, T. Micallef, J. Bonavia, A. Saliba.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace 1 , P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri, J. Abela, N. Zammit, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, S. Stellini.

Referees: Marco Piano, Massimo Angileri.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace 2, P. Muslim, Darko Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri 4, J. Abela, N. Zammit, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 2, G. Subotic 4, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Andrea Zedda.

JULY 2, 2019 - Cross-over Premier Exiles 10 Neptunes 15 (2-5, 3-4, 3-3, 2-3)

JULY 6, 2019 - Cross-over Premier Sirens 18 Exiles 12 (4-0, 2-4, 6-4, 6-4)

JULY 17, 2019 - Cross-over Premier Sirens 9 San Ġiljan 8 (2-3, 3-3, 3-0, 1-2)

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini 1, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 2, T. Sullivan, S. Xerri de Caro 1, M. Fenech, K. Griscti 1, M. Vukicevic 2, A. Cousin 1, N. Paris 1, P. Paris 1, M. Martin.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 3, J. Camilleri 4, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat 1, M. Azzopardi 1, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Referees: Alex DeRaffaele, Gianluca Centineo.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory 2, C. Presciutti 4, P. Privitera 1, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg 1, I. Riolo 2, V. Gallo 2, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 4, L. Caruana 2, M. Sciberras, G. Galea Curmi, L. Falzon, G. Farrugia.

Exiles: M. Castillo, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 5, T. Sullivan 1, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 5, A. Cousin 1, N. Paris, P. Paris, M. Martin, S. Apap.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Federico Braghini.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg 1, I. Riolo 1, V. Gallo 5, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 2, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, G. Farrugia, G. Melillo.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea, N. Dobud 1, G. Molina 5, Matt Zammit 1, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 1, T. Micallef.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Stefano Alfi.

JULY 3, 2019 - Cross-over Premier Sirens 9 Sliema 14 (0-3, 4-2, 3-4, 2-5)

JULY 6, 2019 - Cross-over Premier Sliema 19 Marsaxlokk 9 (4-2, 4-4, 6-2, 5-1)

JULY 19, 2019 - Premier Division San Ġiljan 15 Neptunes 16 (3-4, 6-3, 3-5, 3-4)

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti 4, P. Privitera 1, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg, I. Riolo 1, V. Gallo 1, J. Napier, E. Aquilina, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, Z. Bartolo, G. Melillo.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 2, G. Subotic 6, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky, M. Spiteri Staines 1, L. Galea, B. Cachia 1, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 2, M. Vassallo, K. Borg, J. Cachia.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Giuseppe Fusco.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 4, G. Subotic 5, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 4, M. Spiteri Staines 2, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 4, M. Vassallo, J. Cutajar, E. Schembri.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Martellacci, T. Agius 1, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 3, I. Nagaev 2, S. Micallef 2, R. Scerri, L. Saliba, O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar, M. Pace, K. Galea 1.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Marco Piano.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea, N. Dobud 4, G. Molina 6, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 3, T. Micallef.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 3, Darko Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 4, J. Abela, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Luca Bianco.

JULY 3, 2019 - Cross-over Premier San Ġiljan 18 Marsaxlokk 12 (4-2, 5-5, 3-3, 6-2)

JULY 16, 2019 - Cross-over Premier Exiles 12 Marsaxlokk 15 (3-3, 3-2, 3-3, 4-2)

JULY 20, 2019 - Premier Division Sliema 14 Marsaxlokk 10 (4-3, 4-3, 5-2, 1-2)

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 3, N. Dobud 5, G. Molina 2, M. Zammit 3, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling 1, T. Said, Darren Zammit, P. Fava 1, Dino Zammit 2, T. Micallef, J. Bonavia 1, Z. Micallef.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, L. Calleja, M. Martellacci, T. Agius 3, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 4, I. Nagaev 2, S. Micallef 1, R. Scerri, M. Cacici, O. Zammit, L. Saliba, M. Pace 1, K. Galea.

Referees: Neville Mercieca, Gianluca Centineo.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 2, T. Sullivan 4, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 2, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 3, A. Cousin, N. Paris 1, P. Paris, M. Martin, S. Apap.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi 2, L. Calleja, M. Rizzo, T. Agius 1, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 4, I. Nagaev 7, S. Micallef, R. Scerri, M. Pace, O. Zammit, F. Buhagiar.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Andrea Zedda.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta, G. Subotic 4, J. Sciberras 1, M. Meli 1, N. Hoznyansky 3, M. Spiteri Staines 1, L. Galea, B. Cachia 1, J. Gambin 3, Z. Mizzi, K. Borg, M. Vassallo.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Saliba, M. Rizzo, T. Agius, J. Galea 1, A. Vlahovic 4, I. Nagaev 3, S. Micallef, R. Scerri, M. Pace, M. Martellacci, F. Buhagiar, K. Galea 1, M. Cacici 1.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Daniele Bianco.

54 SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

JULY 20, 2019 - Premier Division Sirens 14 Exiles 7 (3-0, 3-2, 5-1, 3-4)

JULY 26, 2019 Neptunes Marsaxlokk (8-0, 3-7, 4-1, 4-5)

Sirens: N.Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti 4, P. Privitera, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg 3, I. Riolo, V. Gallo 5, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 1, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras 1, G. Galea Curmi.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 1, T. Sullivan 3, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti 1, M. Vukicevic 2, A. Cousin, N. Paris, P. Paris, M. Martin.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Fabio Brasiliano.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 4, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela 4, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi 2, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Cacici, T. Agius 1, J. Galea 1, A. Vlahovic 3, I. Nagaev 6, S. Micallef 1, R. Scerri 1, M. Pace, L. Saliba, F. Buhagiar.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Raffaele Colombo.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti, P. Privitera 1, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg, I. Riolo, V. Gallo 5, J. Napier, E. Aquilina, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, Z. Bartolo, G. Farrugia.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, D. Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 1, J. Camilleri 3, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Luca Castagnola.

JULY 23, 2019 - Premier Division Neptunes 16 Exiles 10 (5-2, 5-4, 3-0, 3-4)

JULY 27, 2019 San Ġiljan Exiles (5-1, 5-1, 4-4, 5-8)

AUGUST 3, 2019 San Ġiljan Marsaxlokk (6-3, 3-2, 4-2, 4-4)

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan 1, G. Pace, P. Muslim 3, Darko Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 3, J. Camilleri 3, J. Abela 1, N. Zammit 2, J. Muscat 1, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini 4, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 2, T. Sullivan 1, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 1, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 2, A. Cousin, N. Paris, P. Paris, M. Martin, S. Apap.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Giovanni lo Dico.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 2, N. Dobud 5, G. Molina 3, M. Zammit 2, B. Plumpton 4, K. Dowling, T. Said 1, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 2, T. Micallef.

Exiles: M. Martin, M. Stellini 2, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 2, T. Sullivan 3, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 1, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 6, A. Cousin, N. Paris, P. Paris, M. Castillo.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Fabio Ricciotti.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech 1, A. Galea 2, N. Dobud 4, G. Molina 1, M. Zammit 1, B. Plumpton 2, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit, P. Fava 2, Dino Zammit 4, T. Micallef.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Martellacci, T. Agius 1, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 4, I. Nagaev 6, S. Micallef, R. Scerri, L. Saliba, K. Galea, F. Buhagiar.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Massimo Calabrò.

JULY 24, 2019 Sirens Marsaxlokk (3-4, 6-1, 1-5, 6-3)

JULY 27, 2019 Sirens Sliema (2-1, 3-1, 0-3, 3-3)

AUGUST 6, 2019 Neptunes Sliema (2-2, 1-3, 5-1, 2-0)

16 13

19 13

19 14

8 8

JULY 30, 2019 Sirens Neptunes (2-3, 2-3, 2-1, 0-2)

6 9

17 11

10 6

Sirens: N.Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti 3, P. Privitera, M. Grech 2, J. Brownrigg 1, I. Riolo 1, V. Gallo 6, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 2, L. Caruana 1, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, G. Farrugia.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi 1, L. Saliba, L. Calleja, T. Agius, J. Galea 1, A. Vlahovic 4, I. Nagaev 7, S. Micallef 1, R. Scerri, M. Pace, M. Martellacci, F. Buhagiar, K. Galea, M. Cacici.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Tommaso Boccia.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti, P. Privitera , M. Grech, J. Brownrigg 1, I. Riolo 1, V. Gallo 3, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 2, L. Caruana 1, M. Sciberras, G. Galea Curmi, Z. Bartolo, G. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta, G. Subotic 1, J. Sciberras 2, M. Meli 1, N. Hoznyansky 2, M. Spiteri Staines 1, L. Galea 1, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli, M. Vassallo, J. Cachia, K. Borg.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Raffaele Colombo.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, D. Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 1, G. Subotic 1, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 2, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin 1, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo, K. Borg, J. Cachia.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Domenico Rotondano.

JULY 24, 2019 San Ġiljan Sliema (1-5, 4-2, 5-2, 2-5)

JULY 30, 2019 Sliema Exiles (2-2, 5-5, 5-4, 2-2)

AUGUST 7, 2019 Marsaxlokk Exiles (2-4, 2-4, 3-4, 4-3)

12 14

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 1, N. Dobud 1, G. Molina 5, M. Zammit 2, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 3, T. Micallef.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 1, G. Subotic 4, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 3, M. Spiteri Staines 2, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 4, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Giovanni lo Dico.

14 13

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 3, G. Subotic 2, J. Sciberras, M. Meli 3, N. Hoznyansky 2, M. Spiteri Staines 2, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin 1, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli, M. Vassallo, J. Cachia, K. Borg.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini 2, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 2, T. Sullivan 2, S. Xerri de Caro 1, M. Fenech 2, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 3, A. Cousin 2, N. Paris, P. Paris, M. Martin, S. Apap, C. von Brockdorf.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Antonio Guarracino.

11 15

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Cacici, T. Agius 2, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 3, I. Nagaev 5, S. Micallef 1, R. Scerri, M. Pace, L. Saliba, F. Buhagiar.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini 4, A. Magri, M. Jelaca, T. Sullivan 3, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti 1, M. Vukicevic 1, A. Cousin 3, N. Paris 3, P. Paris, M. Martin, S. Apap, C. von Brockdorf.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Domenico Rotondano.

SUMMER LEAGUE 2019 55

YEARS

SUMMER LEAGUE LINE-UP RECORDS

AUGUST 7, 2019 Sirens San Ġiljan (3-7, 1-4, 1-4, 3-2)

8 17

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory 1, C. Presciutti 3, P. Privitera, M. Grech 1, J. Brownrigg, I. Riolo, V. Gallo 3, J. Napier, E. Aquilina, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, Z. Bartolo, G. Farrugia.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 1, N. Dobud 4, G. Molina, M. Zammit 7, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 3, T. Micallef.

Referees: Peter Balzan, Domenico Rotondano.

PREMIER DIVISION PLAY-OFFS SF

PREMIER DIVISION PLAY-OFF FINAL

AUGUST 28, 2019 Sliema San Ġiljan (2-1, 1-5, 3-0, 4-3)

SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 - Match 1 Neptunes 15 Sliema 14 (3-5, 4-3, 4-3, 4-3)

10 9

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 2, G. Subotic 2, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 3, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea, N. Dobud 2, G. Molina 1, M. Zammit 2, B. Plumpton, K. Dowling, T. Said, Darren Zammit, P. Fava, Dino Zammit 4, T. Micallef, J. Bonavia, A. Saliba.

Referees: Filippo Gomez, Mario Dalli.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim, D. Brguljan 5, S. Camilleri 4, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela, N. Zammit 4, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 4, G. Subotic 4, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 2, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea 1, B. Cachia, J. Gambin 1, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Alessandro Severo, Peter Balzan.

PREMIER DIVISION PLAY-OFFS SF

PREMIER DIVISION PLAY-OFF FINAL

AUGUST 28, 2019 Neptunes Sirens (2-0, 1-0, 2-2, 5-2)

SEPTEMBER 7, 2019 - Match 2 Sliema 10 Neptunes 14 (4-2, 1-4, 3-5, 2-3)

PREMIER DIVISION LEAGUE STANDINGS Thursday, 8 August 2019 P W

D

L

GF

NEPTUNES 10 8

0

2

143 111

32

24

Sliema

10 6

1

3

119 99

20

19

San Giljan 10 6

1

2

142 113

29

19

Sirens

10 6

1

3

125 115

10

19

Exiles

10 1

1

8

112 148

-36

4

Marsaxlokk 10 1

0

9

119 174

-55

3

AUGUST 20, 2019 San Ġiljan Marsaxlokk (6-3, 2-4, 5-1, 5-4)

GA

GD Pts

18 12

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea 1, N. Dobud 6, G. Molina 1, M. Zammit 6, K. Dowling, Z. Micallef, Darren Zammit 2, P. Fava 1, Dino Zammit 1, T. Micallef.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi 2, L. Calleja, M. Cacici, T. Agius, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 4, I. Nagaev 6, S. Micallef, R. Scerri, M. Pace, M. Martellacci, F. Buhagiar.

Referees: Mario Dalli, Massimiliano Sponza.

AUGUST 20, 2019 Sirens Exiles (5-4, 4-2, 7-2, 1-5)

17 13

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory 1, C. Presciutti 5, P. Privitera 4, M. Grech 2, J. Brownrigg 1, I. Riolo 1, V. Gallo 2, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 1, L. Caruana 1, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, Z. Bartolo, G. Farrugia.

Exiles: M. Castillo, M. Stellini, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 3, T. Sullivan 3, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 3, A. Cousin 2, N. Paris 1, P. Paris 1.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Alessandro Severo.

56 SUMMER LEAGUE 2019

10 4

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 3, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, D. Brguljan 2, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri, 1 J. Abela, N. Zammit, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti 2, P. Privitera, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg, I. Riolo, V. Gallo 1, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 1, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, G. Sammut, G. Farrugia.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Raffaele Colombo.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta, G. Subotic 3, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 3, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin 2, Z. Mizzi 1, N. Bugelli 1, M. Vassallo.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 1, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 1, D. Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 6, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Referees: Luca Bianco, Filippo Gomez.

League championships (85 COMPETITIONS) Balluta WPC San Giljan ASC

1952, 1958, 1963, 1965, 1966 (5) 1992, 1994, 1995, 2015, 2017 (5)

10

Marsascala ASC

1997

1

NEPTUNES WPC NEPTUNES WPSC

1933, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1945, 1949, 1964, 1969, 1972, 1977, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993 (16) 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 (10) 26

Sirens ASC

1959, 1960, 1961, 1967, 2000, 2005

6

Sliema United Sliema ASC

1925, 1929, 1932, 1935, 1939, 1946, 1947 (7) 1948, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1962, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009 (24)

31

1926, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1956, 1970, 1971,1973, 1980, 1985, 1990

11

Valletta United

YEARS

BOV KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION 2019

Sunday, July 21, 2019

QUARTER Final

Neptunes certainly rose to the occasion Youngsters’ performance send San Ġiljan packing SAN ĠILJAN 10 | NEPTUNES 13 (3-2, 2-4, 2-3, 3-4)

CHAMPIONS Neptunes tonight sent holders of the 2018 KO, San Ġiljan, packing as they beat them for the second time in three days. This was San Ġiljan’s third defeat on the trot, having also been beaten by leaders of the Premier Division Sirens (9-8) on Wednesday.

Having to play without Steven Camilleri, Neptunes’ coach Jovan Popovic decided to base his formation on the promising youngsters the club possesses and certainly they did not let him down.

The ‘tailenders’ I had referred to in my previous reports, Jake Muscat and Ken Erdogan, today received the trust of coach Popovic from the early stages for this match and as the game evolved their inclusion was being felt. In fact between them they scored five of the goals, a hat-trick for Jake and a brace for Ken. Another youngster, who by now has established himself in the Reds’ side, Nikolai Zammit also got one of the goals. There was a brace each for captain Niki Lanzon and the overseas recruits Petar Muslim and Darko Brguljan. The other goal, a definite killer for the Saints came from a perfect back-hander

by Jordan Camilleri who again was hanging on two personal faults for most of the match.

Towards the end another one of the outstanding saves by Borg Cole found two Neptunes players on one in the San Giljan area and the referee on the other side next to the San Ġiljan bench signalled for some infringement and this prevented Neptunes from increasing their lead. This was considered by the Neptunes clan as a very controversial decision, which ended by Neptunes playing the rest of the match in six men and Niksa Dobud reducing the gap between the two sides to just three goals by scoring from a penalty-throw.

While Neptunes aptly made up for Steven Camilleri’s absence, San Ġiljan had to rely on Niksa Dobud as they sorely missed the suspended Ben Plumpton and Dino Zammit.

Dobud notched no fewer than half of the Saints’ goals.

San Ġiljan only won one of the four sessions and this was the first one. Neptunes immediately nosed ahead but soon Dobud score two goals. Jake Muscat equalized but slack 58 BOV KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION 2019

marking in defence let in Jake Bonavia to beat Borg Cole from close range (3-2).

Darren Zammit increased the Saints’ lead but Ken Erdogan ghosted past the opposing defenders to make it 4-3. This goal instilled courage in the Neptunes side who equalized at 4-4. Muslim shot Neptunes in the lead for the second time in the match (4-5) but again the Croat Dobud equalized. With Dobud sent off Ken Erdogan made it a memorable performance as he beat Tanti again (5-6). This lead was never relinquished.

The third quarter continued to mark Neptunes’ ascendancy and veteran captain Niki Lanzon again smashed the ball past Tanti for a 5-7 lead for the Reds. San Ġiljan again reduced the deficit through Molina (6-7). Neptunes hit the bar and Jake Muscat made space for himself to regain Neptunes’ two-goal advantage (6-8). A lucky break found Dobud with the easiest of tasks to beat Borg Cole at the other end (7-8). However, Nikolai Zammit again restored the Reds’ two-goal lead (7-9).

Obviously, the last session promised to be another tight contest but immediately Neptunes added three quick goals through Petar Muslim, Brguljan and Jake Muscat. Tristan Said interrupted Neptunes charge as he scored San Ġiljan’s eighth (8-12). This turned into 8-13 as Jordan Camilleri beat a demoralised Tanti in the San Ġiljan goal.

San Ġiljan reduced the gap once more to 9-13. Despite having to play the rest of the game in six men Neptunes maintained possession after Dobud scored from the decision referred to earlier.

Neptunes certainly rose to the occasion.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea, N. Dobud 5, G. Molina 1, M. Zammit 1, K. Dowling, T. Said 1, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, J. Bonavia, T. Micallef.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Erdogan 2, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 2, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat 3, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, N. Farrugia.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Fabio Brasiliano.

YEARS

BOV KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION 2019

Sunday, August 11, 2019

SEMI Final

Neptunes just scrape through after untidy performance NEPTUNES 13 | MARSAXLOKK 11 (3-3, 4-3, 4-2, 1-3)

Champions Neptunes this evening secured a place in the KO final for the second year running, after they scraped through against the south seasiders from Marsaxlokk by 13 goals to 11.

But, if the Balluta Bay side, who beat holders San Ġiljan 13-10 in the quarter-final, might entertain any hope of beating Sliema in the final, they must certainly improve upon today’s performance, which was, to say the least, rather slipshod.

Apart from this poor showing, the Neptunes supporters had to bear up with some strange refereeing, when, at a certain stage the Neptunes forwards time and time again were being penalized for no apparent reason. And to add insult to injury a red card was brandished for Jordan Camilleri, probably for passing remarks, at the end of the second quarter.

courtesy of some strange decisions reduced the arrears to 7-6 through Stephen Micallef and Andrija Vlahovic goals (7-6).

The latter equalized for Marsaxlokk at the start of the third quarter (7-7) and later shots from Steven Camilleri twice, Jeremy Abela and Petar Muslim saw Neptunes leading 11-7 which was changed to 11-8 by Nagaev.

Two more goals from Nagaev brought the teams closer to each other (11-10) and a series of hot goalmouth actions in front of Ryan Coleiro brought the crowd to its feet as the Marsaxlokk last line of defence, aided by the goal-posts and timely blocks, could not be beaten by at least four consecutive shots. The crowd simply liked this!

Missing from Neptunes’ squad were youngsters Jake Muscat (a regular in the team), Seb Busuttil and Julian Farrugia who are taking part in the Under-17 European championship in Georgia. Youngsters Mark Castillo, Sam Gialanze and Alec Fenech took their places in the squad. Right from the outset Marsaxlokk showed their intentions of planning to give the Reds a harrowing time.

Soon after Darko Brguljan scored his first of a hat-trick, Timmy Agius equalized and Rainier Scerri nosed Joseph Cremona’s side in front. Again it was Brguljan who beat Ryan Coleiro for Neptunes’ equalizer but Ivan Nagaev made it 3-2 for Marsaxlokk. This first session ended 3-3 when Steven Camilleri scored the first of his nap-hand from a penalty-throw.

Steven Camilleri put Neptunes in front (4-3) soon after the start of the second period. And again ‘old boy’ Timmy Agius brought the teams on level terms. Brguljan sealed his hat-trick to put Neptunes ahead (5-4). Jordan Camilleri increased Neptunes lead to 7-4 with two well-taken goals.

However, in the last minute of this session Marsaxlokk,

Nikolai Zammit scored Neptunes 12th goal (12-10) but Vlahovic got his third personal goal. With the southseasiders roaring for the equalizer, they called a time-out 12.9 second for the end of the final whistle but somehow the ball twice slipped from Nagaev’s hand when on the point of shooting and Neptunes regained possession through Steven Camilleri, who fired a distant shot into an unguarded net as Coleiro had joined his colleagues in the Neptunes area.

Camilleri’s effort beat the gong which went while the ball was in flight.

The two sides seemed to have been irritated by the control of both officials. Marsaxlokk's Ryan Coleiro was also shown the red card for splashing water at the referee at the end of the match.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 1, D. Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela 1, N. Zammit 1, S. Gialanze, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, M. Castillo, A. Fenech.

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Cacici, T. Agius 2, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 3, I. Nagaev 4, S. Micallef 1, R. Scerri 1, L. Saliba, M. Pace, F. Buhagiar.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Arnaldo Petronilli.

BOV KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION 2019 59

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BOV KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION 2019

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Final

Neptunes earn their 23rd Knock-Out victory by beating eternal rivals Sliema NEPTUNES 10 | SLIEMA 8 (3-1, 2-3, 4-3, 1-1)

Tonight Neptunes claimed their 23rdKnock-Out title when they beat Sliema 10-8, a scoreline which could have been more pronounced had the Reds made full use of the opportunities that came their way.

The evening started in celebratory mode when, prior to the start of the final, no fewer than five of their players were presented with the Player of the Year trophy they won during 2018 in their respective categories. Premier Division: Jordan Camilleri; U/20 League: Jeremy Abela; U/17 League: Ken Erdogan; U/15 League: Jake Muscat, and U/13 League: Alec Fenech who was with Sliema but switched to Neptunes this season. The First Division honour was awarded to Christian Gialanze, a former Neptunes favourite but was with M’Xlokk ASC, before retiring from the game.

Under the guidance of Jovan Popovic, Neptunes started brightly and in less than 28 seconds they forged ahead through Darko Brguljan when Spiteri Staines had been expelled. The Blues stretched every sinew in order to get back on level terms but once again, goalkeeper Alan Borg Cole effected a number of important interventions that inspired his colleagues.

Neptunes imposed their superiority as early as this first session and it was no surprise that the Balluta Bay side increased their lead through a Jordan Camilleri soft goal.

A legitimate ‘corner’ claim by Neptunes went un-noticed by the officials and from this break Jordan Camilleri received his first of three major fouls and Gavril Subotic scored from the resultant penalty-throw.

It was Jamie Gambin who then committed the first of two Sliema penalties and Steven Camilleri increased Neptunes’ lead to 3-1.

Sliema reacted well in the second quarter and Bugelli and Subotic brought the teams on level terms. Borg Cole again distinguished himself with a number of saves but Neptunes’ lead was restored from another Steven Camilleri penalty-throw. Although Spiteri Staines again scored a beauty (4-4), Sliema could not find an opening to forge ahead and on the contrary it was Petar Muslim at the other end who put Neptunes in front again (5-4). Steven Camilleri surprisingly received a second expulsion five seconds from the end of this session.

With two Neptunes players, Gabriel Pace and Niki Lanzon out, Norbert Hoznyansky found no difficulty to reduce the arrears (8-7). A few seconds later, however, Brguljan restored Neptunes’ two-goal advantage (9-7).

Neptunes tried to administer their advantage throughout the final session but Bugelli put Sliema within striking distance (9-8) and the see-saw trend continued when Brguljan made it 10-8.

With the game nearing its end Sliema tried to get back into it. There were a number of expulsions including two for Bugelli who was now fouled out, two for Petar Muslim who also received the same fate and one for Jordan Camilleri, which was also his third. But after a Sliema time-out call, Neptunes regained possession and saw the final few seconds peter out.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, D. Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 1, G. Subotic 2, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 1, M. Spiteri Staines 1, L. Galea 1, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 2, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Massimo Angileri; Attilio Paoletti.

The initial minutes of the third part of the game were a tit-for-tat affair with Gabarretta equalizing at 5-5, Nikolai Zammit putting the Reds ahead again and once more the teams were on level terms through Liam Galea (6-6). But that is the last time in this match that Sliema were closest to Neptunes. Jordan Camilleri made it 7-6 and Petar Muslim 8-6.

BOV KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION 2019 61

YEARS

BOV KNOCK-OUT Photo Gallery

62 BOV KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION 2019

YEARS

BOV KNOCK-OUT 2019 RECORD

Quarter FinalS

Final

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Sunday, August 25, 2019

(3-2, 2-4, 2-3, 3-4)

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

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, B. Grech, A. Galea, N. Dobud 5, G. Molina 1, M. Zammit 1, K. Dowling, T. Said 1, Darren Zammit 1, P. Fava, J. Bonavia, T. Micallef.

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, D. Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 2, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, J. Farrugia.

SAN ĠILJAN 10 | NEPTUNES 13

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon 2, K. Erdogan 2, G. Pace, P. Muslim 2, Darko Brguljan 2, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela, N. Zammit 1, J. Muscat 3, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, S. Busuttil, N. Farrugia.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Fabio Brasiliano.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

NEPTUNES 10 | SLIEMA 8

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 1, G. Subotic 2, J. Sciberras, M. Meli, N. Hoznyansky 1, M. Spiteri Staines 1, L. Galea 1, B. Cachia, J. Gambin, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 2, M. Vassallo.

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Attilio Paoletti.

SIRENS 13 | EXILES 10 (2-3, 2-2, 2-4, 7-1)

Sirens: N.Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti 1, P. Privitera 2, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg 1, I. Riolo 2, V. Gallo 5, J. Napier, E. Aquilina 2, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras 1, O. Gauci, Z. Bartolo, G. Farrugia.

Exiles: M. Martin, M. Stellini 1, A. Magri, M. Jelaca 3, T. Sullivan 1, S. Xerri de Caro, M. Fenech 2, K. Griscti, M. Vukicevic 3, A. Cousin, N. Paris, P. Paris, M. Castillo.

Referees: Stefan Licari, Alessandro Chimenti.

SEMI FinalS Friday, August 9, 2019

KNOCK-OUT WINNERS (74) Balluta WPC

1952, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1968 (5)

SIRENS 7 | SLIEMA 14

San Ġiljan ASC

Sirens: N. Grixti, J. Zerafa Gregory, C. Presciutti 2, P. Privitera 2, M. Grech, J. Brownrigg , I. Riolo 1, V. Gallo 1, J. Napier 1, E. Aquilina, L. Caruana, M. Sciberras, O. Gauci, Z. Bartolo, G. Farrugia.

NEPTUNES WPC

Sliema: J. Parnis, J. Gabarretta 3, G. Subotic 2, J. Sciberras, M. Meli 2, N. Hoznyansky 4, M. Spiteri Staines, L. Galea, B. Cachia, J. Gambin 1, Z. Mizzi, N. Bugelli 2, M. Vassallo, J. Cachia, K. Borg.

NEPTUNES WPSC

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Arnaldo Petronilli.

1962, 1989, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006

(1-6, 3-2, 2-1, 1-5)

Sunday, August 11, 2019

1993, 1995, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (6) 1934, 1947, 1949, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1994 (17) 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2019 (6)

Sirens ASC

NEPTUNES 13 | MARSAXLOKK 11

Sliema ‘A’

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, N. Lanzon, K. Erdogan, G. Pace, P. Muslim 1, D. Brguljan 3, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 2, J. Abela 1, N. Zammit 1, S. Gialanze, M. Azzopardi, B. Busuttil, M. Castillo, A. Fenech.

Sliema ASC

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

Marsaxlokk: R. Coleiro, J. Rizzo Naudi, L. Calleja, M. Cacici, T. Agius 2, J. Galea, A. Vlahovic 3, I. Nagaev 4, S. Micallef 1, R. Scerri 1, L. Saliba, M. Pace, F. Buhagiar.

11

23 7

1935, 1938 (2) 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1965, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 (24)

Valletta United

1948, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1956, 1982, 1985

26 7

Referees: Stefan Licari, Arnaldo Petronilli.

BOV KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION 2019 63

YEARS

ASA MAJOR HONOURS 1925 - 2019

Date

Championship

KO Winners

Date

Championship

KO Winners

1925 1926 1927/28 1929 1930/31 1932 1933

Gasan Cup Sliema United Valletta Dolphins no competition Sliema United no competition Sliema United NEPTUNES WPC

no competition no competition no competition no competition no competition no competition no competition

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983

Wrangler Trophy NEPTUNES WPC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Valletta United Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC

Dewars White Label Sliema ASC NEPTUNES WPC Sliema ASC NEPTUNES WPC NEPTUNES WPC Valletta United NEPTUNES WPC

1934 1935 1936 1937

NEPTUNES WPC Sliema United no competition NEPTUNES WPC

ASA Cup NEPTUNES WPC Sliema ‘A’ no competition no competition

1984

Martini Cup (Played for only once) NEPTUNES WPC

Sliema ASC

1938 1939 1940/44 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950

Times of Malta and Il-Berqa Shield NEPTUNES WPC Sliema United no competition NEPTUNES WPC Sliema United Sliema United Sliema ASC NEPTUNES WPC Valletta United

Sliema ‘A’ no competition no competition no competition no competition NEPTUNES WPC Valletta United NEPTUNES WPC Valletta United

1985 1986 1987 1988

Pepsi League Valletta United NEPTUNES WPC NEPTUNES WPC NEPTUNES WPC

Valletta United Sliema ASC NEPTUNES WPC NEPTUNES WPC

1989

Sprite Cup NEPTUNES WPC

ASA Cup Sirens ASC

1990 1991 1992

Valletta United Sliema ASC San Giljan ASC

Super-5 Shield NEPTUNES WPC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC

1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968

Valletta United Balluta WPC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Valletta United Valletta United Sliema ASC Balluta WPC Sirens ASC Sirens ASC Sirens ASC Sliema ASC Balluta WPC NEPTUNES WPC Balluta WPC Balluta WPC Sirens ASC Sliema ASC

Kitty Kola Cup Valletta United Balluta WPC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Valletta United Valletta United Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Balluta WPC Sliema ASC Balluta WPC Sirens ASC Balluta WPC NEPTUNES WPC Sliema ASC no competition NEPTUNES WPC Balluta WPC

1993

NEPTUNES WPC

Cisk Lager Cup San Giljan ASC

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Cisk Lager League San Giljan ASC San Giljan ASC Sliema ASC Marsascala ASC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Sirens ASC Sliema ASC

NEPTUNES WPC San Giljan ASC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Sirens ASC Sirens ASC Sirens ASC

2002 2003 2004

7-Up League Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC

7-Up Cup Sliema ASC NEPTUNES WPSC Sirens ASC

2005

ASA League Sirens ASC

Wilkinson Sword NEPTUNES WPSC

2006 2007

Wilkinson Sword NEPTUNES WPSC NEPTUNES WPSC

Sirens ASC Sliema ASC

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Bank of Valletta League Sliema ASC Sliema ASC NEPTUNES WPSC NEPTUNES WPSC NEPTUNES WPSC NEPTUNES WPSC NEPTUNES WPSC San Giljan ASC NEPTUNES WPSC San Giljan ASC NEPTUNES WPSC NEPTUNES WPSC

Bank of Valletta KO Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC NEPTUNES WPSC NEPTUNES WPSC Sliema ASC NEPTUNES WPSC San Giljan ASC San Giljan ASC San Giljan ASC San Giljan ASC NEPTUNES WPSC

1969 1970 1971

Guards Cup NEPTUNES WPC Valletta United Valletta United

NEPTUNES WPC NEPTUNES WPC Sliema ASC

1972 1973 1974 1975 1976

NEPTUNES WPC Valletta United Sliema ASC Sliema ASC Sliema ASC

Dewars White Label NEPTUNES WPC (discontinued) Sliema ASC NEPTUNES WPC Sliema ASC

64 ASA MAJOR HONOURS 1925 - 2019

YEARS

QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS

QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS 65

YEARS

QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS

66 QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS

YEARS

QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS 67

YEARS

QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS

68 QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS

YEARS

QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS 69

YEARS

QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS

QUADRUPLE CROWN CELEBRATIONS 71

YEARS

END OF SEASON CEREMONY

The end-of-season celebration dinner was held at the Marsa Sports Club in November and a good number of members attended this function.

The highlight of this enjoyable evening was the speech by the president Matthew Bonello where he eulogized on the retirement of the ledengary captain Niki Lanzon after spending 25 years militating with Neptunes during which he won 10 championships, seven Knock-Out honours,

72 End OF SEASON CEREMONY

eight Winter Leagues and twice being named as player of the year. Apart from various gifts from the club from president Bonello, Niki was also presented with another one by Sophie Camilleri, on behalf of the Neptunes supporters.

The presentation ceremony ended with the players in all categories, who turned out for Neptunes during 2019, receiving an attractive memento.

YEARS

End OF SEASON CEREMONY 73

YEARS

AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS

June 27, 2019

Entertaining fare as Neptunes double over Sirens

UNDER 15: NEPTUNES 22 | SIRENS 4 UNDER 20: NEPTUNES 13 | SIRENS 8 Neptunes, this evening, started their defence of two of the Age-Group championships they won last year. Their opponents in the Under-20 and Under-15 today were Sirens.

It was a very entertaining evening from Neptunes’ point of view as their starlets displayed sparkling fare in their comprehensive victories. A general comment on the matches is that until these young players get used to the new rules, especially that of an attacker facing goal cannot be tackled by a defender, an abnormal number of penalty awards are bound to render the games irritating. Many controversial decisions are liable to crop up.

Also worth mentioning was the eye-catching performance of goalkeeper Benji Busuttil who thwarted the Sirens players time and time again when they threatened to effect a comeback. Benji also saved one penalty awarded to Sirens and was very close to saving at least two more.

In the first match, the Under-20s, Neptunes won 13-5 while in the match that followed, the Under-15s Neptunes ran out 22-4 winners.

There were a couple of players who took part in both matches.

For the record, the scorers in the U-15 match were, Mark Castillo 7, Sam Gialanze 5, Alec Fenech 5, Max Farrugia 3 and Max Zammit 2. Enrique Bonnici 2, Ryan Galea and Luigi Mallia were Sirens’ scorers.

Scorers in the Under-20 match were: Nikolai Zammit 6, Ken Erdogan 3, Mikhael Cutajar, Mark Castillo, Jake Muscat, Matthias Azzopardi.

July 1, 2019

Neptunes obtain hard-earned victory

UNDER 17: NEPTUNES 10 | SIRENS 7 This afternoon, Neptunes followed up their last week’s success in the Age-Group competitions against Sirens, with a hard-earned 10-7 victory at our pool in Balluta Bay. The match was finely balanced in the first two sessions as the scores of 2-2 and 3-3 aptly indicate, but then the Reds’ spurred on by their 8-goal captain Jake Muscat, increased the tempo of their match and with a workmanlike performance ran out winners.

74 AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS

They went on to win the third quarter 2-1 and the final one 3-1 for an overall 10-7 success.

Scorers for Neptunes were: Jake Muscat (8), Julian Farrugia and Mark Castillo. Sirens' scorers were: Gianni Farrugia (3), Luke Grech Carr, Gabriel Melillo, Lucas Falzon and Matthew Chircop.

All the players contributed to this important victory, but it must be mentioned that goalkeeper Andrew Bugeja inspired his colleagues with first class saves that were duly acknowledged by the sizeable crowd present, especially the Neptunes supporters.

It is to be remembered that last year, Neptunes were crowned champions in each of the three age-group categories.

July 8, 2019

Neptunes win heart-throbbing match

UNDER 20: NEPTUNES 14 | SAN ĠILJAN 12 (2-3, 6-6, 5-0, 1-3)

This afternoon at our pool, Neptunes beat neighbours San Ġiljan to register their second straight win in the Under-20 category.

It must be said that San Ġiljan had beaten Sliema, considered to be the strongest side at this level, in their previous match two weeks ago.

This was a pulsating encounter with fortunes swaying in the initial stages. Neptunes were 2-3 down in the first session and although equalizing at the start of the second they conceded three quick goals to go 3-6 down. By the end of this session however, the Reds kept their cool and gradually but surely crawled their way back to end it at 8-9 down.

Neptunes started imposing their superiority in the third quarter which they emphatically won 5-0 and Benji Busuttil saved a penalty to deny the Saints equalizing at 10-10. The score at the end of this third session was 13-9.

Nenad Navarin’s side was depleted for the last session with Ken Erdogan, who had scored three goals, being fouled out.

Julian Farrugia also received the same fate some time later.

Jake Muscat and Nikolai Zammit were on the mark five times each for the Reds and the other Neptunes goal was scored by Seb Busuttil.

The match was controlled by Peter Balzan and Stefan Licari.

July 9, 2019

Neptunes on song as they beat Saints

UNDER 15: NEPTUNES 17 | SAN ĠILJAN 6 (4-0, 3-4, 5-0, 5-2)

The Neptunes’ Under-15 side chalked up their second consecutive win in this competition when they emphatically beat San Ġiljan 17-6, in this first round match.

Coach Nenad Navarin was a very happy man after the match saying that the boys played a very good and intelligent match and they fully deserved their runaway victory. They are a strong side for their age he said.

With centre-man Mark Castillo closely watched by two defenders, Sam Gialanze and Alec Fenech revelled when in the San Ġiljan zone and they each helped themselves to six goals. Castillo and Joshua Spiteri scored two each and Max Zammit got the other one.

Neptunes’ next Under-15 match is on July 29 at the Sliema Pitch, when the Under-20s will also be in action.

Neptunes scored two goals in the second period through Castillo and Jake Muscat (2-5). Sirens made a partial comeback in the third quarter and managed to come close to Neptunes with goals from G. Farrugia, L. Falzon and Ryan Galea. Jake Muscat scored a goal for Neptunes after Farrugia’s second (5-6).

Soon after the start of the last session Sirens equalized at 6-6 through Ryan Galea but Neptunes again nosed in front with two goals from Seb Busuttil and Seb Stellini (6-8) Another fight-back by the Saints’ brought the teams level again amid some controversial decisions. Their goals came from Farrugia and Matthew Chircop (8-8) but Neptunes were not to be denied and in the end they ran out worthy winners through Mark Castillo’s fourth personal goal with 22 seconds to go.

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri and Stefan Licari.

July 18, 2019

Neptunes clear first San Ġiljan hurdle

UNDER 17: SAN ĠILJAN 5 | NEPTUNES 9 July 10, 2019

(2-2, 2-3, 1-2, 0-2)

NO COMPARISON

Without exerting themselves too much, but being cautious all the time, Nenad Navarin’s babes beat our neighbours San Ġiljan 9-5 to register their fourth consecutive win in this category.

UNDER 17: NEPTUNES 23 | BIRŻEBBUĠA 2 (10-0, 4-2, 5-0, 4-0)

There was no comparison between these two sides. For the record Seb Busuttil scored six goals, Mark Castillo and Alec Fenech four each, Max Farrugia, Max Zammit, Sam Gialanze and Jake Muscat two each and Edward Mifsud, one. Russel Spiteri and Camilleri scored the south-seasiders’ goals.

July 11, 2019

Neptunes register ‘double’ over Sirens

Early in the match it was thought that the Reds’ were in for a difficult encounter as San Ġiljan went ahead twice in the first quarter and each time we equalized first through Jake Muscat and then through Mark Castillo (2-2).

In the second quarter the Saints again went ahead. Jake Muscat was now hanging on two personal faults as the home team increased their lead to +2 but in a very short space of time Sam Gialanze got a brace and in between Castillo also scored his second goal (4-5 for Neptunes).

San Ġiljan again equalized in the third session but Neptunes went ahead through Julian Farrugia and Jake Muscat scored his second goal for a 5-7 score for Neptunes.

UNDER 17: SIRENS 8 | NEPTUNES 9 (2-3, 0-2, 3-1, 3-3)

The Reds were now clearly on top scoring two more in this session through Jake Muscat (5-9) Referees in this match were Neville Mercieca and Stefan Licari.

Nenad Navarin’s boys obtained the double over Sirens whom they beat 9-8 in a closely-fought encounter.

Neptunes’ next assignment in this category is against Sliema at our pool, on Thursday, 25th July, at 5:45 p.m.

Sirens went two goals up in the early stages of the match through a penalty by Gianni Farrugia and Lucas Falzon, but Jake Muscat reduced the arrears and Marc Castillo equalized.

Castillo again managed to beat Gianni Galea Curmi in the Sirens goal to send Neptunes 3-2 ahead at the end of the first session.

AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS 75

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AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS

July 22, 2019

A runaway victory for the Reds

UNDER 20: NEPTUNES 17 | EXILES 5 (6-1, 5-1, 4-2, 2-1)

With the likes of Matthias Azzopardi, Benji and Seb Busuttil, Ken Erdogan, Julian Farrugia and Jake Muscat, all components forming part of Neptunes’ senior squad, it was no surprise that the home side were in for a runaway victory.

And so they did, also giving coach Nenad Navarin the opportunity to make use of all the fringe players in his squad. The ultimate result speaks for itself.

Nikolai Zammit scored five of the goals, followed by Ken Erdogan with three, Mark Castillo, Jake Muscat, Seb Busuttil and Matthias Azzopardi with two each and Seb Stellini with one. Exiles, who named just 12 players when they could have made use of 15, scored their goals through Simon Apap and Luca Felice with two each and Jake Bajada with one.

The match was controlled by one referee, Mr Neville Mercieca. This was Neptunes’ third victory from as many matches in this category.

July 25, 2019

Neptunes miss two penalty-throws, but still down the Blues

UNDER 17: NEPTUNES 12 | SLIEMA 10 (1-1, 3-2, 5-3, 3-4)

When a team misses from two penalty-throws in one match, one cannot expect that team to emerge on the winning side.

But that is what Neptunes did earlier this evening in their Under-17 encounter against Sliema. They beat the Blues from Sliema by 12 goals to 10.

Twice Neptunes’ starlet Jake Muscat failed to beat Miguel Vassallo in the Sliema goal, the first shot in the second session was saved by the Sliema goalkeeper while the second in the third quarter saw the ball rattling the junction of the goalposts. But in the end Muscat had the last laugh as he scored no fewer than five of Neptunes’ goals, the last one coming from a distant shot into an untenanted Sliema net as their goalkeeper, seconds earlier had decided to abandon his position to join his colleagues in front of the Neptunes goal in an effort to search for the equalizer. Ironically Vassallo was pulled up for pushing his immediate opponent. And Neptunes took full advantage of this lapse.

Another happy lad in the Neptunes’ side today was Seb Busuttil, whose powerful play also earned him five goals.

Julian Farrugia and Under-15 player Alec Fenech scored the other two goals. Neptunes were a goal down within two minutes play but as Jake equalized the Reds never looked 76 AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS

back and were practically always ahead, by one, two and even three goals at times. They had equalised at 3-3, 4-4 and 6-6. Nevertheless to coach Nenad Navarin’s chagrin his babes nearly threw the game away with some ‘gifted’ goals towards the end. It was only the outstanding saves of goalkeeper Marco Rossi, who alternated with Andrew Bugeja for the last two sessions, that kept Neptunes buoyant at times, in the final session.

For the record, Sliema's goals were scored by B. Cachia (3), Matthew Mifsud, Mark Carani (2 each), Kieyan Borg, Mark Demarco and Nico Schiavone (one each). After the final whistle Neptunes' Montenegrin coach was all smiles.

July 29, 2019

Defeat for U-20s; Victory for U-15s

UNDER 20: SLIEMA 8 | NEPTUNES 7 (3-0, 2-3, 0-2, 3-2)

UNDER 15: SLIEMA 4 | NEPTUNES 5 (0-2, 1-1, 2-1, 1-1)

Whereas the corresponding fixtures last year at the Sliema pitch ended with two victories for the Neptunes sides 16-9 and 9-5, this time round honours were shared as the Under-20s beat us by the odd goal in 15 and we beat them in the Under-15s by the odd goal in nine.

Certainly luck was not on our side in the Under-20s. Suffice it to say that Mikhail Cutajar, an important cog in the Neptunes’ side was forced out of the match early with blood streaming from a gash under his eye when elbowed by an opponent, an incident which was not spotted by the officials. The wound he incurred needed 12 stitches. Besides Neptunes gifted Sliema with two own goals and apart from that the Reds wasted a goal-scoring opportunity from a penalty-throw. Furthermore Neptunes had also to put up with some controversial refereeing. How can you win a match with all these cons?

Goalkeeper Benji Busuttil had a brilliant match saving from point-blank range shots from Sliema players who had come face to face with him. Sliema had built a 3-0 lead in the first period but by the end of the third quarter the teams were locked at 5-5. In the last session the Blues led 7-5 but Neptunes equalized. Sliema managed to squeeze in the winner in the last minute. The Neptunes goals came from, Ken Erdogan and Nikolai Zammit with two each, Julian Farrugia, Jake Muscat and Matthias Azzopardi, one each. Jacob Sciberras (3), Jamie Gambin (2), N. Saliba (2) and Liam Galea were Sliema’s scorers.

The Under-15s secured victory against a strong Sliema side.

They led 3-0 at the start of the second session and 4-3 towards the end of the third. Goalkeeper Sam Mifsud was always on the alert and he effected a number of useful interventions, among them a brilliant save off a penalty-throw in the final session.

Neptunes also contrived to miss twice from two penalty-throws but Sam Gialanze sealed Neptunes victory from another penalty-throw.

August 5, 2019

Somewhat disappointing but not beaten

UNDER 20: SIRENS 13 | NEPTUNES 13 (5-2, 1-4, 3-5, 4-2)

UNDER 15: SIRENS 11 | NEPTUNES 18 (3-2, 2-6, 3-6, 3-4)

The least said about the two matches played at the Sirens pitch the better. This is because in the Under-20s encounter some of the players, considered to be future stalwarts in the Neptunes’ senior side indulged in passing continuous remarks between themselves which did not go down well with their coach and the Neptunes supporters present and this also upset the rest of the players and their play was not co-ordinated at all.

Play improved as the game wore on with the calmness of Ken Erdogan and Matthias Azzopardi putting some semblance in their side. Neptunes found themselves 5-2 (Nikolai Zammit and Jake Muscat being the scorers) down in the first session but gradually reacted and drew level by the end of the second quarter at 6-6 (Nikolai Zammit 2, Matthias Azzopardi and Matteo Martellacci). Sirens went in front again in the third but Martellacci equalised (7-7). A Ken Erdogan lead (7-8) was again erased by Sirens but Azzopardi’s canon-shot put the Reds ahead again 8-9.

Zammit increased Neptunes’ lead by two goals and after the northerners pulled one back (9-10), Matthias Azzopardi again beat the Sirens’ goalkeeper with a well-placed backhand shot to restore Neptunes’ two-goal lead.

The last session saw Neptunes increase their lead by three goals courtesy of a Jake Muscat goal (10-12). Sirens pulled another one back (11-12) and once more Jake Muscat scored the 13thgoal for Neptunes (11-13). However, Sirens further reduced the arrears to 12-13 and they finally equalized through their fourth penalty awarded to them in this match for a 13-13 ultimate score. Sirens threatened to give Neptunes a hard time in the Under-15s match as they won the first session 3-2, but eventually the Reds imposed their superiority and won the next three sessions 2-6, 3-6 and 3-4 for a final 18-11 victory for Nenad Navarin’s babes.

Heavyweight centre-man Mark Castillo helped himself to seven goals but nippy Alec Fenech went two better scoring nine. Sam Gialanze scored the other two. Incidentally these three scorers obtained 25 of Malta’s 44 goals in a recent Darko Culic tournament in Sardegna for the Under-15s.

August 8, 2019

NEPTUNES EDGE CLOSER TO UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP

UNDER 17: MARSASCALA 3 | NEPTUNES 20 (0-5, 1-4, 1-8, 1-3)

The Nenad Navarin ‘babes’ this evening made a giant step

towards winning the Under-17 championship for the third time in a row, by virtue of their 20-3 victory over Marsascala and Sliema’s 9-4 defeat to Sirens.

This success should extend Neptunes’ uninterrupted streak of being among the junior honours for at least 26 years.

Impressive to say the least! All 15 players in the squad took part in this match with Jake Muscat being withdrawn in the first session after he had scored the Reds’ fourth goal. For the record, Seb Busuttil and Seb Stellini scored four goals each, Mark Castillo a hat-trick and two goals apiece for Max Farrugia and Alec Fenech. The other goals came from Julian Farrugia, Max Zammit, Jake Muscat, Ascanio Piccione and Edward Mifsud.

August 23, 2019

An evening of mixed fortunes

UNDER 20: SAN ĠILJAN 9 | NEPTUNES 6 (1-0, 3-3, 3-3, 2-0)

UNDER 15: SAN ĠILJAN 7 | NEPTUNES 20 (3-5, 0-5, 0-5, 4-5)

The Under-20 Neptunes side practically threw away their chances of retaining the championship they won last year with an unsatisfactory performance which must be immediately forgotten. They lost 9-6 to our neighbours.

Although there is still a mathematical chance to effect a comeback, today’s showing does not imbue much encouragement for the future matches. The players were slow-thinkers today and they were shot-shy when in the vicinity of the opponents’ goal. Besides they wasted the bulk of their possession time to have the ball travel to the opposing area, a malady they suffered from for most of the match. With such attitude this contest could never have been won by the Reds. I hope in the end I am proved wrong.

Neptunes’ goals came from a hat-trick by Nikolai Zammit, a brace from Ken Erdogan and one goal from Jake Muscat. On the other hand in the following match, the Under-15 players did what the Under-20s failed to do. They were direct in their approach to the opposing area and they had two lethal performers in Alec Fenech and Mark Castillo, both scorers of six-goals in this runaway 20-7 victory.

There was never any doubt about the end result and the five-goal per session performance perfectly reflected the course of this match. Besides the 12 goals shared by Fenech and Castillo, Max Farrugia obtained a hat-trick, Max Zammit scored two and Joshua Spiteri, Edward Mifsud and San Gialanze scored one each. Coach Nenad Navarin introduced all the tailenders during the last session which saw San Ġiljan score four goals... although Neptunes scored their ‘usual’ five.

Today, Neptunes meet Birżebbuġa in their second round, Under-17 match, away from home at 6.30 p.m. while on Tuesday, 27th August at 5.45 pm Neptunes meet Marsascala at our Balluta Bay swimming pool.

AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS 77

YEARS

AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS

August 24 / 27, 2019

August 30, 2019

High-scoring victories for the youths

Blues force a decider

UNDER 17: BIRŻEBBUĠA 3 | NEPTUNES 24 (0-8, 0-5, 1-5, 2-6)

UNDER 20: NEPTUNES 29 | MARSASCALA 0 (9-0, 6-0, 6-0, 8-0)

On Saturday 24th August, Neptunes continued with their impressive run in the Under-17 category by beating the southseasiders of Birżebbuġa 24-3. Never was there any doubt who the ultimate winners would be.

UNDER 15: NEPTUNES 9 | SLIEMA 10 (1-2, 3-1, 3-4, 2-3)

A superior Sliema side this afternoon upset Neptunes’ hopes of carrying off the Under-15 honours for the fourth successive time when they beat the Reds by the odd goal in 19. Sliema committed the least number of mistakes and Neptunes were hampered when two of their best players, Mark Castillo, scorer of five goals, and Max Farrugia were hanging perilously on two major fouls as early as the second session with the former receiving his third and definite expulsion simultaneously with Daniel Rizzo toward the end of the third quarter.

Seb Busuttil and Alec Fenech scored five goals each, Mark Vassallo and Jake Muscat each scored a hat-trick and two goals each from Julian Farrugia, Seb Stellini and Sam Gialanze. Max Farrugia, Max Zammit scored the other two.

This afternoon Neptunes faced Marsascala in the Under-20 category at our Balluta Bay pool. The south-seasiders fielded a very young side in view of their senior team’s play-off commitment vs Birżebbuġa, tomorrow. The Marsascala youngsters were no match for the Reds even though more often than not Nenad Navarin made use of a number of player of the Under-15 category.

Play was very tight and goals on each side came at regular intervals. Sliema led 2-0 from Kieyan Borg, scorer of six goals for his side, and Nico Schiavone but before the end of this period Castillo scored his first and he equalized soon after the start of the second quarter. Sam Gialanze failed to convert a penalty-throw when the score was 1-0 for Sliema. Sliema nosed in front through Andrea Mifsud. Neptunes equalized from a Joshua Spiteri shot and Castillo scored his third personal goal to put Neptunes in front (4-3). Castillo increased Neptunes’ lead to 5-3 after the start of the third quarter but K. Borg reduced the arrears and the same player obtained the equalizer at 5-5.

Neptunes’ superiority was translated into goals which were scored at will although the Reds missed scoring on no fewer than three consecutive penalty-throws. Alec Fenech scored seven goals followed by San Gialanze with six, Mark Castillo five, Joshua Spiteri, Seb Stellini, Nikolai Zammit and Max Farrugia with two each and Mikhail Cutajar, Jake Muscat and Seb Busuttil, with one each. Marsascala could not find a way past first Benji Busuttil and then Marco Rossi even though they found themselves with an extra man on three occasions.

Both Neptunes opponents, Birżebbuġa on Saturday and Marsascala today, should be commended for their fighting spirit although playing against all odds.

Neptunes went ahead again through Castillo only for Daniel Rizzo to equalize once more for the Blues (6-6). Castillo had to leave the water for good following his third expulsion while Rizzo too, received the same fate in the fourth period and was reported by the referee for splashing water in his direction. It was Neptunes’ turn to go one goal behind from Borg but Alec Fenech drew the teams on level terms again (7-7). The last session promised to be a heart-throbbing affair with Neptunes nosing in front through Sam Gialanze and Borg equalizing again and putting Sliema in front 30 seconds later. Alec Fenech scored his second personal goal to equalize at 9-9 but Nico Schiavone beat Sam Mifsud in the Neptunes’ goal to seal Sliema’s victory.

August 29, 2019

Reds retain Under-17 championship UNDER 17: NEPTUNES 15 | SAN ĠILJAN 6 (5-2, 4-0, 3-3, 3-1)

Under the guidance of Montenegrin coach Nenad Navarin, the Under-17 Neptunes side this evening won their third consecutive championship in this category which is their fifth in the past six years – a truly remarkable achievement. Their opponents today were San Ġiljan whom they emphatically beat 15-6. The scorers on the day were Jake Muscat with eight, a hat-trick each from Seb Busuttil and Sam Gialanze, and one from Alec Fenech. At some stages in the game our side was sprinkled with players from the under-15 category who must have gained invaluable experience from this higher level.

Congratulations to these youngsters and to Nenad.

78 AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS

A deciding match will now be necessary to determine this year’s winner of this category.

Mario Dalli and Peter Balzan were the match referees.

September 3, 2019

Champagne stuff by Champions Neptunes

UNDER 17: SLIEMA 5 | NEPTUNES 15 (2-5, 0-2, 2-5, 1-3)

Neptunes reserved their best show of the season for their second leg tie against Sliema at the latter’s own pitch at Għar-id-Dud. The Reds won the four sessions emphatically and in the end Seb Busuttil, and Jake Muscat were the leading scorers with four goals each, Mark Castillo and Sam Gialanze with a hat-trick each and one from Max Farrugia. Coach Nenad Navarin was an elated person after this terrific performance and was full of praise for the young boys under his charge.

September 8, 2019

September 10, 2019

Erratic Neptunes concede title

Neptunes whitewash south seasiders

UNDER 15 (DECIDER) SLIEMA 11 | NEPTUNES 6

UNDER 17 (FINAL MATCH) NEPTUNES 21 | MARSASCALA 0

Neptunes’ three-year reign in this category came to an end on Saturday, prior to the Seniors’ defeat of Sliema at the national pool.

Neptunes’ Under-17s wrapped up their 2019 commitments with a complete whitewash of the gallant Marsascala side, beating them by 21 goals without reply.

Sliema were the better side with more ideas and when Neptunes were very close to keeping abreast with their opponents they found themselves, on no fewer than five consecutive shots, thwarted by Sliema’s eighth man – the goal-posts!

Coach Nenad Navarin made wholesale changes after the first session ended 9-0 and several of the under-15 players took a very active part in this match.

(1-1, 3-1, 3-3, 4-1)

(9-0, 0-0, 4-0, 8-0)

Try as they might, Neptunes could not get a grip on the game and slowly but surely Sliema managed to score at regular intervals.

For the record the goals were as follows: 1. (1-1) Castillo (N), Schiavone (S); 2. (3-1) Demarco (S), Cachia (S), Cachia (S), Fenech (N): 3. (3-3) Borg (S), Cachia (S), Castillo (N), Schiavone (S), Castillo (N), Fenech (N); 4. (4-1) Mifsud (S), Piccione (N), Cachia (S), Schiavone (S), Pace Mizzi (S).

The referees were Alex De Raffaele and Daniele Bianco.

The goals came from Sam Gialanze with eight, Alec Fenech five, Max Zammit three, Seb Stellini two and one each from Max Farrugia and Seb Busuttil, the latter scoring his goal only 16 seconds after the start of the match.

This was the third successive Under-17 title for Neptunes, whose players were presented with medals and the Cup from ASA vice-president Karl Galea and ASA general secretary Rita Azzopardi.

Neptunes’ only outstanding fixture from the Age-group category is in the Under-20 vs Sliema. This match had to be played yesterday but with the Malta Waterpolo Referees’ decision not to control matches where Sliema are involved, this encounter had to be cancelled and it is yet unknown when the matches in this category are complete.

Players who took part in the Age-group matches Under-15 competition

Under-17 competition

Under-20 competition

Borg Canalis Pitré Kai Camilleri Luigi Castillo Mark Catania Luke Dobrosavljevic Aleksandar Ellul Sullivan Nick Fenech Alec Gialanze Sam Grima Scott Aidan Max Farrugia Mifsud Edward Mifsud Sam Muscat Pitrè Timmy Piccione Ascanio Spiteri Joshua Zammit Max

Borg Beppe Borg Canalis Pitré Kai Bugeja Andrew Busuttil Seb Castillo Mark Farrugia Julian Farrugia Max Fenech Alec Gialanze Sam Mifsud Edward Mifsud Sam Muscat Jake Muscat Pitrè Tim Piccione Ascanio Rossi Marco Spiteri Joshua Stellini Seb Zammit Isaiah Zammit Max

Azzopardi Matthias Bugeja Andrew Busuttil Benji Busuttil Seb Castillo Mark Cutajar Mikhael Erdogan Ken Farrugia Julian Farrugia Max Fenech Alec Gialanze Sam Martellacci Matteo Muscat Jake Rossi Marco Stellini Seb Zammit Isaiah Zammit Nikolai

AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS 79

YEARS

AGE-GROUP RESULTS

Under-15 results & standings

Under-17 results & standings

Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Decider

Rd 2 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 1 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2 Rd 2

San Ġiljan v Sliema Neptunes v Sirens Neptunes v San Ġiljan Sirens v Sliema San Ġiljan v Sirens Sliema v Neptunes Sirens v Neptunes Sliema v San Ġiljan S. Ġiljan v Neptunes Sliema v Sirens Neptunes v Sliema Sirens v San Ġiljan Sliema v Neptunes

5-16 22-4 17-6 4-22 11-2 4-5 11-18 14-6 7-20 21-2 9-10 6-11 11-6

Under-15 CLASSIFICATION Sliema NEPTUNES San Ġiljan Sirens

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

6 6 6 6

5 5 2 0

0 0 0 0

1 1 4 6

87 91 46 29

31 42 75 105

56 49 -29 -76

15 15 3 0

Under-20 results & standings San Ġiljan v Sliema Exiles v M'Skala Neptunes v Sirens M'Skala v Sirens Sliema v Exiles Neptunes v San Ġiljan Exiles v San Ġiljan M'Skala v Neptunes Sirens v Sliema Sliema v M'Skala San Ġiljan v Sirens Neptunes v Exiles Sliema v Neptunes Sirens v Exiles M'Skala v San Ġiljan Sirens v Neptunes M'Skala v Exiles Sliema v San Ġiljan San Ġiljan v Neptunes Exiles v Sliema Sirens v M’Skala San Ġiljan v Exiles Neptunes v M’Skala Sliema v Sirens Sirens v San Ġiljan Exiles v Neptunes M’Skala v Sliema Neptunes v Sliema M’Skala v San Ġiljan Exiles v Sirens

10-9 21-13 13-8 12-19 14-8 14-12 1-11 pp 6-15 29-4 15-6 17-5 8-7 11-15 5-18 13-13 9-22 4-7 9-6 4-18 31-1 8-2 29-0 7-6 8-15 0-5 5-21 xx 2-24 xxx

Neptunes v Sirens San Ġiljan v Sliema Sirens v M'Skala Neptunes v B'Buġia San Ġiljan v M'Skala Sirens v Neptunes B'Buġia v Sliema Sliema v M'Skala B'Buġia v Sirens San Ġiljan v Neptunes Neptunes v Sliema Sirens v San Ġiljan M'Skala v B'Buġia M'Skala v Neptunes San Ġiljan v B'Buġia Sirens v Sliema Sliema v San Ġiljan M'Skala v Sirens B'Buġia v Neptunes Neptunes v San Ġiljan Sirens v B'Buġia M'Skala v Sliema San Ġiljan v Sirens Sliema v Neptunes B'Buġia v M'Skala Sliema v B'Buġia M'Skala v San Ġiljan Sliema v Sirens Neptunes v M’Skala B'Buġia v San Ġiljan

10-7 4-7 25-5 23-2 19-3 8-9 1-28 21-4 2-28 5-9 12-10 9-3 13-10 3-20 24-4 9-5 5-1 7-18 3-24 15-6 pp pp 4-7 5-15 7-9 23-4 1-20 xx 21-0 2-14

Under-17 CLASSIFICATION NEPTUNES Sirens Sliema San Ġiljan M'Skala B'Buġa

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

10 8 8 10 9 9

10 6 5 4 2 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 2 3 6 7 9

158 111 104 100 45 35

49 45 50 62 161 186

109 66 54 38 -116 -151

30 18 15 12 6 0

Under-20 CLASSIFICATION San Ġiljan Sliema NEPTUNES Exiles Sirens M’Scala

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

10 9 8 9 9 9

9 7 5 3 2 0

0 0 1 0 1 0

1 2 2 3 6 9

129 125 104 78 108 51

57 57 55 106 106 214

72 68 49 -28 2 -163

27 21 16 9 7 0

AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS 81

YEARS

AGE-GROUP Goal Scorers NEPTUNES UNDER 15 SCORERS

Opposition Result

Mark San Alec Castillo Gialanze Fenech

Sirens 22-4 San Ġiljan 17-6 Sliema 5-4 Sirens 18-11 San Ġiljan 20-7 Sliema 9-10 Sliema (decider) 6-11

Max Max Joshua Ascanio Edward TOTAL Farrugia Zammit Spiteri Piccione Mifsud

7 2 7 6 5 3

5 6 3 2 1 1 -

5 6 1 9 6 2 2

3 3 -

2 1 2 1 -

2 1 -

1 1

1 -

22 17 5 18 20 9 6

30

18

31

6

6

3

2

1

97 Goals

Edward Mifsud

Max Farrugia

Max Zammit

Seb Busuttil

Sam Gialanze

Alec Fenech

Seb Stellini

Ascanio Piccione

10-7 23-2 9-8 9-5 12-10 20-3 24-3 15-6 15-5 21-0

Jake Muscat

Sirens Birżebbuġa Sirens San Ġiljan Sliema Marsascala Birżebbuġa San Ġiljan Sliema Marsascala

Julian Farrugia

Opposition Result

Mark Castillo

NEPTUNES UNDER 17 SCORERS

TOTAL

1 4 4 2 3 3 3 -

1 1 1 1 2 -

8 2 3 4 5 1 3 8 4 -

1 1 1

2 2 1 1 1

2 1 1 3

6 1 5 4 5 3 4 1

2 2 2 3 3 8

4 1 2 5 1 0 5

1 4 2 2

1 -

10 23 9 9 12 20 24 15 15 21

20

6

38

3

7

7

29

20

18

9

1

158 Goals

82 AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS

Mark Castillo

Joshua Spiteri

Jake Muscat

Max Farrugia

Nikolia Zammit

Matthias Azzopardi

Matteo Martellacci

Sebi Busuttil

Seb Stellini

Julian Farrugia

Alec Fenech

13-8 14-12 17-5 7-8 29-0 13-13 6-9

Sam Gialanze

Sirens San Ġiljan Exiles Sliema Marsascala Sirens San Ġiljan

Mikhael Cutajar

Opposition Result

Ken Erdogan

NEPTUNES UNDER 20 SCORERS TOTAL

3 3 3 2 1 2

1 1 -

6 -

1 2 5 -

2 -

5 2 1 1 3 1

2 -

1 5 5 2 2 4 3

6 2 1 3 -

2 -

1 1 2 1 -

1 2 -

1 -

7 -

10 23 9 9 12 20 24

14

2

6

8

2

13

2

22

12

2

5

3

1

7 99 Goals

YEARS

AGE-GROUP PHOTO GALLERY

AGE-GROUP COMPETITIONS 83

YEARS

Neptunes Swimming Team 2019

Excellent performances by our swimmers 2019 was another eventful year for the Neptunes swimming section. The young team has made great strides with huge improvements across the board. For the second consecutive year the team was led by head coach Roland Eskudt. 2019 also marked the comeback of Gail Rizzo to the pool deck as a coach. She arrived with a whole load of enthusiasm she was always renowned for. Carl Henriksson and Isabelle Mabboux have further assisted the teams. Monique Mangion continued to head the Neptunes school, which produced another six new swimmers into the junior squad during the year.

Neptunes took part in all local competitions organized by the ASA during the season, including the Easter International meets and the National Championships. Some team members also participated in the Open water series where all swimmers always managed a top five placing. Furthermore, it is to be noted that Neptunes swimmers formed a large contingent in international events organized by the ASA and also travelled abroad in Club organized meets.

2019 was also a successful year in terms of results with a large number of National and Age group records coming our way.

Mya Azzopardi kept dominating in this aspect as she continued to train in Italy and obtained outstanding results.

During the season the club also welcomed two international athletes who joined the club for a short period of training with the club. Claudia Navaro the age group record holder in Spain in the 100m and 200m Butterfly; Arthur Blaise who is the French Triathlon champion at under-15 level also trained with the Neptunes team. They were highly impressed with the high level of training offered and dedication shown during all the sessions from the coaches and swimmers and are both looking forward to returning during 2020.

The National Championships 2019 also saw the retirement of Sam Fleri Soler from competitive swimming. But we are proud that Sam is still a strong part of Neptunes as he continues to assist the team in coaching our young generation of upcoming swimmers.

Social Events

The club organized two major Social events during 2019.

Unfortunately, the spring swim gala had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

This year’s annual BBQ to celebrate the 2018/2019 swim season was held on 31st August and the event was a huge success. This was held on the Neptunes deck and was fully patronized. The atmosphere was fantastic and the food was mouthwatering, thanks to our sponsor for the event – Chop Shop Butcher of Zabbar who prepared the food to fine detail.

Dolci Peccati who prepared some fresh and fancy salads also supported the event. More support came from Astral Enterprises Ltd and Strand Electronics throughout the year.

Once again this was a fine opportunity for the team to come and enjoy an evening together. Parents assisted on the night by preparing and cooking during the event.

Neptunes swimming committee have also teamed up with Meridiana Wines for an evening of wine tasting for all the parents during late November. Parents had the opportunity to taste some of Malta finest wines and had some light snacks in the beautiful vineyards of Meridana ta’ Qali.

Every summer the Neptunes swim section organizes a summer swim school, which is very well attended. Young swimmers sign up for classes, which are held at Neptunes pool throughout the summer months. The youngsters are introduced to swimming and given the proper technical skills to gain confidence in the water. Coach Monique Mangion who is assisted by top squad swimmers who share their knowledge and experience with the young swimmers heads the swim school. Improvement in the youngsters is fast and evident as the summer school progresses. As the summer school came to a close and just before the commencement of the next swimming league a celebration was held at Neptunes pool in September. A day of activities and races was organised where the young swimmers could showcase their newly acquired skills. The day came to a close with a BBQ organised on the pool deck to celebrate the youngsters’ success and to kick start training for the upcoming season for the swim teams.

International Events

During 2019 the club participated in the local Time Trial events throughout the season. The Easter swimming meets and the National Championships were all held at the national pool in Msida. A growing number of swimmers have also participated in a number of events overseas.

In February, eight top squad swimmers attended the 17th Meeting del Titano Grand Prix d’Inverno in San Marino. This was a high level competition where the team managed to compete and take photos with Spanish Olympic Champion SWIMMING 85

Mireia Belmonte. Charlotte, Giuseppe, Maya, Sam, Kristina, Thomas, Sarah and André attended these events.

These are as follows:

Eight swimmers in the CIJ (Championnats Internationaux des Jeunes) meets in Luxembourg represented Neptunes as part of an ASA-supported event in March. They were all selected forthis event – Maya, Kristina, Sarah, Giuseppe, Martina, Thomas, André and Kelsey.

2nd January 7th Swedish Grand Prix, Malmo, Sweden 24th May GSSE games, Montenegro 3rd - 7th July LEN Junior European Championships Kazan, Russia 21st - 28th July FINA World Championships Gwanju, Korea

May brought about the COJI (Comité d'Organisation des Jeux des Iles) games in Corsica, France, where the ASA once again selected six Neptunes swimmers. Thomas, André, Ella, Kelsey, Maya and Nirvana. Also during May, Mya Azzopardi and Dylan Cachia represented Neptunes at the GSSE (Games for the Small States of Europe) in Montenegro and they managed three bronze medals and two silver medals respectively.

In June it was off to Romania for Kristina, Emilia, Nicole, Thomas and Giuseppe to take part in the FISEC (the international sports federation for Catholic schools Games) Games. More medals were brought home with Giuseppe bringing winning a bronze medal, another bronze medal from Emilia and two silver medals from Thomas.

Early July saw Mya Azzopardi and Dylan Cachia represent Neptunes at the LEN (Ligue Européenne de Natation) European Championships in Kazan, Russia, while Mya also travelled to the FINA (Fédération internationale de natation) World Championships in Gwanju, Korea in late July.

The team attended a 14 day training camp in Lloret de Mar, Spain during September 2019 as part of the preparations for the new 2019/2020 season. Swimmers’ training was held at an indoor pool, which offered all the necessary facilities for the training camp to be a success. The swimmers underwent between 50km and 80km of swimming during the camp – depending on their age group. The swimmers had multiple sessions per day, which also included land work. The 14 days where designed to structured training, rest and nutrition of the highest level. The training camp forms part of the coach’s long-term goals to raise the level of swimming and ensure better results. During the training camp the team also had the chance to wind down and relax a little during their day trip to Barcelona.

In December a strong team travelled to Budapest, Hungary for the VIII BVSC (Budapesti Vasutas Sport Club) Competition 2019. The format of these competitions was designed with heats in the mornings and finals in the afternoon, a format which Neptunes swimmers are now growing accustomed to.

During the season Neptunes was also represented in International Open water competitions in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Larnaca, Cyprus. Towards the end of the year Mya Azzopardi was awarded a Bronze by the Malta Olympic Committee.

During 2019 a number of swimmers have been identified to represent Malta and Neptunes in international events.

Towards the end of the year Mya Azzopardi was awarded a Bronze by the Malta Olympic Committee. A number of swimmers have been identified to represent Malta and Neptunes in international events during the year.

86 SWIMMING

Mya Azzopardi

Dylan Cachia

2nd January: 7th Swedish Grand Prix, Malmo, Sweden 24th May GSSE games, Montenegro 3rd - 7th July LEN Junior European Championships Kazan, Russia

Thomas Woods

15th February 17th Meeting del titano Grand Prix d’Inverno, San Marino 7th March CIJ meets, Luxembourg 21st May COJI games Corsica, France 14th June FISEC games, Romania

Giuseppe Gatt

15th February 17th Meeting del titano Grand Prix d’Inverno, San Marino 7th March CIJ meets, Luxembourg 14th June FISEC games, Romania

Sam Fleri Soler

15th February 17th Meeting del titano Grand Prix d’Inverno, San Marino

Kristina Camenzuli

15th February 17th Meeting del titano Grand Prix d’Inverno, San Marino 7th March CIJ meets, Luxembourg 14th June FISEC games, Romania

Sarah Demicoli

15th February 17th Meeting del titano Grand Prix d’Inverno, San Marino 7th March CIJ meets, Luxembourg

Andre Camilleri

15th February 17th Meeting del titano Grand Prix d’Inverno, San Marino 7th March CIJ meets, Luxembourg 21st May COJI games Corsica, France 13th June FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim Series 2019 Balatonfured, Hungary 31st July LEN European Junior Open Water Swim Championships 5km Czech Republic 4th October Comen Cup Larnaca, Cyprus

Kelsey Borg

7th March CIJ meets, Luxembourg 21st May COJI games Corsica, France 4th October International Swimming Competition Larnaca, Cyprus

Ella Mifsud Bonnici

21st May COJI games Corsica, France

Nirvana Micallef

21st May COJI games Corsica, France Emilia Galea Testaferata: 14th June FISEC games, Romania

Nicole Saia

14th June FISEC games, Romania 4th October International Swimming Competition Larnaca, Cyprus

Sarah Demicoli

13th June FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim Series 2019 Balatonfured, Hungary 31st July LEN European Junior Open Water Swim Championships 10km Czech Republic 4th October International Swimming Competition 7.5km Larnaca, Cyprus

Maya Galea

15th February 17th Meeting del titano Grand Prix d’Inverno, San Marino 7th March CIJ meets, Luxembourg

Martina Micallef

7th March CIJ meets, Luxembourg

Charlotte Spencer

15th February 17th Meeting del titano Grand Prix d’Inverno, San Marino Head Coach Roland Eskudt accompanied all swimmers abroad with the exception of Mya Azzopardi and Dylan Cachia.

YEARS

Swimming RECORDS

2019 was another year where Neptunes swimmers managed to break local records RECORD

EVENT

EVENTS

RECORD TIME

PLACE RECORD WAS BROKEN

27th January 27th January 9th February 19th February 24th March 19th May 28th April 19th May 28th April 29th May 29th May 30th May 5th May

100m Backstroke 100m Backstroke 200m Back 200m Back 200m IM 200m IM 400m IM 400m IM 200m freestyle 200m freestyle 400m IM 200m IM 200m freestyle

1:06.68 1:06.62 2:25.62 2:25,16 2:24.54 2:21,58 5:06.42 5:06,06 2:08.24 2:07.20 5:06.06 2:21.58 2:06.76

Swedish Grand Prix Malmo, Sweden Swedish Grand Prix Malmo, Sweden FFN-Golden Tour Camille Muffat, France Nice, France Halle Swimming Meet, Germany Podgorica, Montenegro Easter International Swim meets Podgorica Montenegro Easter International Swim meets Podgorica Montenegro Easter International Swim meets GSSE games in Montenegro GSSE games in Montenegro GSSE games in Montenegro Kazan Russia

2nd February 23rd February 24th March 28th April 19th August 3rd July 6th July 19th July 13th December

800m freestyle 1500m free 400m freestyle 400m freestyle 400m freestyle 200m freestyle 800m freestyle 800m freestyle 800m freestyle

8:43.44 16:47.51 4:09.50 4:08.62 4:06,38 4:08.58 8:39.85 8:39,20 8:37.34

19th November 3rd April 10th May 19th November 10th May 19th November 19th November

400m IM 400m free 400m freestyle 400m freestyle 200m butterfly 200m butterfly 1,500m freestyle

5:03.40 4:37.05 4:33 Age Group ’64 04:25.03 2:37.16 02:26.09 17:16.46

Long Course Trofeu Mauricio Bekenn, Porto Allegro, Brazil Torneio Regional Petiz a Senior, San Paolo, Brazil Torneio Regional Petiz a Senior, San Paolo, Brazil Long Course Trofeu Mauricio Bekenn, Porto Allegro, Brazil Torneio Regional Petiz a Senior, San Paolo, Brasil Long Course Trofeu Mauricio Bekenn, Porto Allegro, Brazil Long Course Trofeu Mauricio Bekenn, Porto Allegro, Brazil

400m IM 400m IM

5:11.15 5:08.38

Easter Meets – Malta National Championships - Malta

400m IM 1500m IM 400m IM

4:57.75 17:00.33 4:29.59

XIV Cycle Assessment Meet Budapest XIV Cycle Assessment Meet Budapest

Mya Azzopardi National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record

Dylan Cachia National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record National Record

Gzira Budapest, Hungary Kazan Russia Kazan, Russia Gzira Gzira

John Hick Age Group B Age Group B Age Group B Age Group B Age Group B Age Group B Age Group B

Thomas Woods Age Group C Age Group C

28th April 11th July

André Camilleri Age Group C Age Group C Age Group C

13th December 21-22 December 21-22 December

Kelsey Borg 2nd April Kelsey received an award from Valletta local council – her hometown, for her hard work and dedication in swimming.

Open Water Whilst both Sarah Demicoli and André Camilleri continued to personify open water swimming locally we are proud to see some new faces taking part during the 2019 season. Swimmers such as Emilia Galea Testaferata, Liam Rodenas, Thomas Woods and Luca Vella all took part in open water races. Whilst Kelsey Borg and Nicole Saia have taken it a step further by attending their first international open water races in Larnaca, Cyprus during October. Kelsey managed an impressive 4th place, followed by Nicole who finished in 5th place. All swimmers obtained impressive times and all obtaining top placings in each race.

Most notably during the season Sarah swam two 10km open water races. In her first race in Hungary Sarah swam the distance in a time of 2hours and 9min whilst in the Czech Republic she swam the distance in a time of 2hours 11min. Sarah wrapped up the open water season in Cyprus by competing in a 7.5km open water race finishing in an impressive 10th place.

Andre swam a 5km race in June in Hungary in a time of 1 hour 18 min finishing in 5th place. One month later he swam a time of 55min 20 seconds in the Czech Republic finishing in 15th place. Andre also secured a 6th position placing in Cyprus in his 5km open water race during the Comen Cup. SWIMMING 87

YEARS

SWIMMING Photo Gallery

Thomas Woods Jnr, Andre Camilleri, Nirvana Micallef, Kelsey Borg and Ella Mifsud Bonnici, with Head Coach Roland Esküdt, Coji Games, May 2019

Kelsey Borg, Sarah Demicoli, Nicole Saia and Andre Camilleri.

Open Water Comen Cup Cyprus, September 2019

Spain training camp 1, September 2019

Spain training camp 2, September 2019

8 Top Squad swimmers left to compete at the 17° Meeting del Titano e 6° Gran Prix d’Inverno in San Marino, February 2019

Eight strong contingent of Neptunes' swimmers leaving to compete in the 2019 CIJ meet in Luxembourg, together with head coach Roland Esküdt, as part of the ASA team

88 SWIMMING

YEARS

SWIMMING Photo Gallery

Mya Azzopardi, Senior Worlds Championships, Gwangju, South Korea, July 2019

John Hick took part on the Torneio Regional Petiz a Senior in Sao Paolo and established a new Age Group B national record in 400m Freestyle

The Neptunes team which participated in the 2k Birkirkara St Joseph open water swim series. Back row (from left) Thomas Woods, Roland Eskudt (Herad coach), Sarah Demicoli. Front row (from left) Luca Vella, Andre Camilleri, Nicole Saia, Nathan Cachia.

Spain training camp, September 2019

Thomas Woods achived an improved age group C record in the 400IM

Giuseppe Gatt, Nicole Saia, Kristina Camenzuli, Emilia Galea Testaferrata and Thomas Woods - FISEC games Bucharest, Romania, July 2019

18 swimmers competed for Neptunes at the VIII BVSC Competition 2018 in Budapest, Hungary and were accompanied by Head Coach Roland EskĂźdt and coach Monique Mangion Den Heije

SWIMMING 89

YEARS

Down memory lane...

Below are the Neptunes premises as they evolved during the years

1st concrete clubhouse

1960s

1979 1975

90 DOWN MEMORY LANE...

1989 official opening of new premises

1979 tournament

YEARS

Get-together for old-timers

Alfred Griscti, Chris Bonello

A get together was organised by former Neptunes goalkeeper Stephen Magri, at his residence, for his team-mates during his playing days.

Karl Diacono, Anthony Cachia, Alex Stellini, Dorian Pisani, Colin Gambin

Brian Camilleri, John Paris, John Salomone Reynaud, Andrew Mamo, Jean Marc Bianchi

Jean Curmi, Marcus Bonello, Simon Stilon, Brian Camilleri, John Salomone Reynaud, Leonard Cachia, John Paris, Andrew Mamo, Matthew Bonello (front) Stephen Spiteri, Adrian Cachia

Get-together for old-timers 91

YEARS

THE Neptunes ACADEMY KIDS IN ROME

Academy members consisting mainly of Neptunes players from the Under-15 and Under-17 categories spent five days in Rome between November 17 and December 1.

For four days they followed a strict schedule which consisted mostly of morning training sessions under the guidance of coach Nenad Navarin and his assistant Christian Gialanze.

Prior to their departure the group was lectured by Ms Maria Mifsud Bonnici, a Master of Sport and Exercise Physiology who focused mainly on the importance of nutrition which is necessary to build the athletes to semi-professional levels. Ms Mifsud Bonnici was awarded a diploma in Sports Nutrition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2010.

Through the good offices of Neptunes’ and Roma Nuoto’s ‘bomber’ Steven Camilleri, who organised this clinic superbly,

92 THE NEPTUNES ACADEMY KIDS IN ROME

three strenuous training sessions were held together with members of the Rome club. Two training/matches were held with Roma Nuoto’s side, largely composed of players born in 2003, and one against a Lazio selection. Our side was on a par with the Roma and Lazio boys. It is to be noted that national team players were in the Roma side with three being regulars for the senior team. The Neptunes contingent stayed at Zone Hotel, a sports hotel recommended by the Roma club. Our party also attended some cultural tours.

The Neptunes nursery has a proud history of producing young waterpolo players who are scattered among almost all clubs in Malta. However, the Academy’s aim is to develop more young players in a semi-professional environment and to form the future backbone of the Neptunes’ sides.

YEARS

Austin Sammut interviews Ray ‘Budgy’ Spiteri

It all started 57 years ago 57 years ago a young boy set foot on Neptunes for the first time.

This interview was carried out the day following his 66th birthday. Not many are still around to tell the Neptunes story like he knows it. His name is Ray Spiteri, “il-Budgy” – few know his real name – the kit manager synonymous with Neptunes. His nickname came from that of the legendary Emanuel “Budgy” Dowling, one of Malta’s best water polo players ever. It was another legend, Bertie Portelli, who gave Ray this name to tease him during his young, teenager waterpolo playing days. I meet him in his little sanctuary at the far end of the club, surrounded by balls, caps, gowns and many framed photographs depicting the club and its personalities over the years.

‘Budgy’ in his playing days; he is wearing the no. 10 cap in the front row.

was when Neptunes failed to win a league over a period of 13 years.

Ray ‘Budgy’ Spiteri with club president Matthew Bonello during the end-of-season dinner

In 1963 Jimmy Micallef Eynaud, one of Malta’s best goalkeepers ever, joined Sliema ASC from Neptunes for one year. At the time Toni Spiteri, Budgy’s father whom we all knew so well, was a cook in the kitchen at Sliema Pitch. As Jimmy was returning to Neptunes in 1964, he persuaded Toni to go with him and take on the catering facilities. Toni was introduced to the committee and took on the bar. The Spiteri family remained there for 13 years. Budgy, who at the start was a young boy of nine, would hang around with is Sur “Toddy” Degiorgio , Jimmy Platts and later “Il-PL” Joe Gatt, who carried out maintenance work at the club, including the care of the swimming and water polo apparel, such as caps and balls. But none of the first two would attend water polo matches (as supporters of course, since they were both leading club players).

So Budgy as a young boy, from the start, as instructed by Sur Anġ Debono (president) and Sur Stanley Ellul Mercer (secretary), would accompany the team, carrying the net bag so many of us remember; with heavy, water-logged leather balls (which were capable of knocking one out, particularly if hit on the lace side), caps without ear protection and simple cloth swimming trunks which tied up at the sides. Eventually he took over the maintenance work at the club. Neptunes won Budgy’s first division league, the double in fact, in 1964. He himself played for the minor string for three years until 1968, and even scored, he tells me.

“I attended all matches, first division and age groups, over the years. I remember the mothers of all current players before they got married and then pregnant with our players”, Budgy recalls, going on to mention some famous names. “I lived their lives with them and was with them at every match. I have been part of Neptunes’ league wins since 1964”. The only time he ever missed a match was to attend his daughter’s wedding last year, while the period that most saddened him

“But then we built a strong team, and started winning, never to look back, winning four league titles in succession between 1986 and 1989 and later five, between 2010 and 2014. I am always nervous during matches, particularly when we are chasing the score till the end. The opposing team that always worried me most were Sliema. San Giljan not so much because they were never consistent in their winning runs”.

As for the best players he remembers he says that every period had its best players and Neptunes always had leading players, mentioning Freddie Grixti, Bertie Portelli, Joe Chetcuti, Chris Galea and today Stevie Camilleri. His favourite foreign player of all time was Jan Evert Veer in 1984, at the time of Gianni Lonzi and Pippo Psaila as the technical team, and who later went on to become coach himself. Budgy’s daughter Enika is named after Jan’s wife. He considers Jimmy Micallef Eynaud as being the best goalkeeper of all time, and also mentions Martin Xuereb and Pawlu Falzon.

“I have known three generations of families at Neptunes. Today the families are much less in number and the club is no longer very united through families. There was also more respect for the club president and committee members; everyone was “Sur”. The infrastructure has changed no fewer than six times during my time here.” He remembers what we knew as “iż-żiemel”, which was a stepped structure, very much like a church pulpit, that used to extend over the water and from which the referee would officiate.

Airborne Ray celebrates as Neptunes win one of their championships.

At this point Budgy asks for a break to collect his precious time clocks at the end of a friendly match between the Malta squad and Ortigia in preparation for their upcoming foray into the European Championships in Budapest. All club equipment is treated by him as his own, and woe betide anyone damaging it.

Even a ball has to be squeezed out of him by youngsters for their informal practice and games, while a missing cap is a tragedy.

Ray is in his little sanctuary surrounded by the caps, gowns and balls performing his checks and balances for the day.

Budgy laments the lack of discipline there is today, not so much among the players but the young members. He also expresses his sadness that there is no one inclined to take over from him when his time is up. “Youngsters are spoilt and have things too good”. But he won’t be giving up soon. “As long as I am able to I will continue in my role as kit manager.”

INTERVIEW 93

YEARS

OBITUARY

These are no longer with us...

LITRIZZA. On March 4, MASSIMO aged 55, died suddenly at his residence in Fgura. Mass præsente cadavere was celebrated on March 5 at Fgura parish church at 2 p.m. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

ZAMMIT. On March 27, at Mater Dei Hospital, JOE (Bologna), passed away peacefully at the age of 85, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He left to mourn his great loss his wife Rosanne, née Axisa, his children Pia and Chris, Gianni and Kirsty, and his granddaughter, Kay. He also left to mourn his loss his brothers and sisters, Andre and Victoria, Marie-Louise and Vincent Falzon, Mae, Michael Sant, widower of Monica, Victoria and Edward Melillo, his nephews and nieces, other relatives, and friends. Mass præsente cadavere was celebrated on Monday, April 1, at 8.30am, at Lija parish church, followed by interment in the family grave at Lija cemetery. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

94 OBITUARY

GATT. On June 18, at Mater Dei Hospital, MARY née Mifsud Bonnici, widow of Joseph Gatt LP, aged 91, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church.

She left to mourn her loss her children Peter and his wife Lucienne, Ivan and his wife Karen, Gabriella and her husband Roland Reuter, her grandchildren Mark, Chris, Max, Timi and Gigi, her great-grand children Laila and Oliver, her sisters-in-law Emma Mifsud Bonnici and Maggie La Ferla, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. A special thanks to her loving and devoted carer Chat. The funeral left Mater Dei Hospital on Saturday, June 22, for Balluta parish church where Mass præsente cadavere was celebrated at 8.30am followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

NAUDI. On June 22, at Mater Dei Hospital, WILFRED, aged 80, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church.

He left to mourn his sad loss his wife Irene nèe Schranz, his son Nicholas and his wife Monica Abdilla, his daughters Lorraine, wife of Adrian Vella, and Daphne, wife of John Gatt, his treasured grandchildren Rachel, Daniel, Ella, Sarah, Simon and Adam, his brother Herbert, his sister Patricia, wife of Leo Brincat, his sisters-in-law Frances and Frida, his in-laws Anthony Schranz, Joan and Francis Consiglio, Nathalie and John Pace Balzan, other relatives and friends. The funeral left Mater Dei Hospital on Thursday, June 27, for Balluta parish church where Mass praesente cadavere was celebrated at 8.30am, followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

CAUCHI. On August 31, ANGELE, aged 72, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church.

She left to mourn her loss her siblings Pierre, Andre and Cecile, her beloved nieces Alba and Ambra and Edward, her grandnephews Alex and Bianca, numerous relatives and friends. Funeral Mass was held on Monday, September 2, at 9:00am, at St Julian’s parish church, followed by interment in the family grave at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

CAUCHI. On October 21, CECILE, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church.

She left to mourn her loss her siblings Pierre and Andre, her beloved nieces Alba, Ambra and Edward, her grandnephews Alex and great-niece Bianca, numerous relatives and friends. Funeral Mass was said on Monday, November 4, at the Basilica of St George, Victoria, Gozo, at 3:30pm, followed by interment at Għarb cemetery. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

PALMIER. On November 16, ALBERT ANTHONY, aged 86, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church.

He left to mourn his loss his children Albert and his wife Rita, Lorraine and her husband George Schembri Orland, his grandchildren Carl and his wife Charlene, Kevin and his girlfriend Rose, Christopher and Andrew, his granddaughter Emma, his sister Mary and her husband Richard Palmier, his sister-in-law Emmeline, widow of Charles, in-laws, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. Mass praesente cadavere was said on Friday, November 22, at Balzan parish church, followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

Mark Lombardo, Kunsillier, il-Fgura, on facebook: ‘Insellem lil MASSIMO LITRIZZA, ġuvni ta’ 55 sena, li ħalla din id-dinja ħesrem. Lil Massimo kont ili nafu għal aktar min 30 sena. Baqa ġuvni jieħu ħsien lil ommu Betty sakemm mietet xi snin ilu. Kien tifel uniku u baqa jgħix waħdu, fi triq Dan Tumas faċċata tal-banka tal-Lottu. Dilettant tal-futbol, tal-festa u tal-bnadar. Jitma’ l-qtates fit-toroq u qatt ma ta fastidju lil ħadd. Spiss not niltaqa’ miegħu fit-triq u kien jitkellem fuq kollox, sinjal ta’ sens ċiviku li trawwem fih.

Fuq din l-art ma kellux familjari, imma ċertament diġa nagħqad mal-ġenituri tiegħu. Il-Mulej jagħtih il-mistrieħ ta’ dejjem.’

Leonard Zammit, administrator, Neptunes Supporters on facebook: ‘Shocked to hear this morning about Massimo Litrizza's sudden demise. Massimo was a lifelong Neptunes supporter and attended most of our matches. He rarely missed a Neptunes celebration. He used to phone me almost regularly to update him about our team and their prospects for the season. He was 55. The photo below was taken at our club during the celebrations of our 2016 championship victory; Massimo proudly displays the championship cup. May he rest in peace.

Funeral took place, on March 5, at 2 p.m. at Fgura parish church.’

Joe Zammit LP, affectionately known as Bologna, went to meet the Risen Lord on March 27, 2019. He was 85.

Joe served as Secretary of Neptunes between 1985 and 1989. A real gentleman, ready to come to the rescue of anybody who needed his help. Joe was an avid supporter of Italian football club, Bologna…hence his byname. In his days Mr Zammit was head of the Legal Department at the Bank of Valletta. For a number of years Joe was the Times of Malta correspondent for Italian football. He was a great man with a great sense of humour and a greater sense of morality.

Commiserations to his wife, Rosanne, his daughter Pia, his son Gianni and their respective families.

OBITUARY 95

YEARS

THE NATIONAL TEAMS

Malta qualifies for 2020 National teams’ 2019 diary Neptunes players in the contingents LEN waterpolo championships The for the following matches were: in Budapest Under-17: Seb Busuttil, Jake Muscat, Marco Rossi, The main event on the national waterpolo team’s calendar during 2019 was the LEN European Water Polo Championships 2020 Qualification tournament which was held in Malta between October 11 and 13. The contestants here were, Romania, Portugal and Malta with the strong Romanian side favourites to end up winners. Indeed they did as they beat Portugal 15-7 on Day 1 and Malta 13-7 on Day 3.

Julian Farrugia and Sebastian Stellini.

On the second day of this tournament Malta managed to get the better of Portugal by 12 goals to 10 in a nail-biting affair which saw us qualifying for the January 2020 finals in Budapest, Hungary. This was the third successive time that Malta earned qualification to these finals.

Seniors

Results:

March 12, 2019 FINA World League (Qual. Rd) Malta 8 - Hungary 24.

MALTA 12 - PORTUGAL 10 (6-4, 3-1, 3-4, 0-1)

October 2019 - Malta Euro Championship (Qual. Grp) Malta 7 - Romania 13 Euro Championship (Qual. Grp) Malta 12 - Portugal 10 Euro Championship (Qual. Grp) Malta 7 - Romania 13.

Malta was the better side throughout but at times tension among our players ran high. A stubborn defensive display however, closed down all avenues to our goal and the Malta players could celebrate this hard-earned victory in the end.

Malta: N. Grixti, J. Gabarretta 1, A. Galea, N. Zammit, Darren Zammit, M. Zammit 2, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri, J. Abela, A. Cousin 2, B. Plumpton, Dino Zammit (2), A. Borg Cole.

Portugal: M. Yanochko, R. Teixeira, T. Costa 1, R. Ramos 3, M. Rodrigues, P. Sousa 4, J. Lopes, J. Leite, R. Sousa 2, R. Moreira, S. Lopes, T. Parati, J. Silva Referees: Sebastien Dervieux (France), Nerijus Papaurelis (Lithuania) MALTA 7 - ROMANIA 13 (2-3, 2-3, 2-4, 1-3) The superiority of the Romanian team was undoubted but their task of obtaining victory was made easier when first Steven Camilleri was controversially dismissed with 0.9 of a second to go for the end of the second session and then at the start of the final quarter Matthew Zammit received his third expulsion. By then Camilleri had already scored three goals and Matthew Zammit had two to his credit. With these two lethal goal-scorers out of the game, Malta were finding it hard to effect some sort of comeback as we could not match our opponents.

Malta: N. Grixti, J. Gabarretta, M. Spiteri Staines, G. Pace, Darren Zammit, M. Zammit 2, S. Camilleri 3, J. Camilleri 1, J. Abela 1, A. Cousin, B. Plumpton, Dino Zammit, A. Borg Cole.

Romania: M. Tic, L. Vancsik, T. Negrean 4, M. Gheorghe 3, V. Antipa, A. Prioteasa 2, V. Georgescu, T. Fulea 1, V. Dragomirescu 1, N. Oanta 2, A. Ghiban, I. Szabo, S. Abrudan.

Referees: Ruben Garcia (Switzerland), Sebastien Dervieux (France).

FINAL STANDINGS: Romania 6 pts; Malta 3; Portugal 0.

96 THE NATIONAL TEAM

Under-15: Alec Fenech, Sam Gialanze, Mark Castillo, Sam Mifsud together with newly recruited players Jake Cachia and Ryan Galea, who last season were on the books of Sliema and Sirens, respectively.

Jan 2019 - Malta FINA World League (Qual. Rd) Malta 4 - Russia 23 Feb 19, 2019 FINA World League (Qual. Rd) Malta 9 - Germany 18

Under-17

April 21 Slovakia Novaky Tournament Malta 6 - Hungary 15; Malta 12 - Romania 11; Malta 8 - Ukraine 7; Malta 5 - Georgia 7; Malta 7 - Hungary 21.

1.5.2019 Men’s Qualification U17 1.5.2019 Men’s Qualification U17 2.5.2019 Men’s Qualification U17 3.5.2019 Men’s Qualification U17

Malta 14 - Poland 4 Malta 17 - Switzerland 5 Malta 18 - Czech Republic 10 Greece 17 - Malta 2.

August 2019 – Tbilisi, Georgia U17 Euro Junior Championship (Tbilisi, Georgia) Malta 4 - Italy 20; Malta 12 - Turkey 8; Malta 12 - Russia 14; Malta 9 - Netherlands 15; Malta 4 - Serbia 19.

August 2019 – COMEN U17 Malta 5 - Serbia 19; Malta 4 - Georgia 7; Malta 1 - Italy 20, Malta 1 - Spain14; Malta 2 - Montenegro 18, Malta 6 - Hungary 18.

Under-15

U15 European Qualification Tour, March 2019 Malta 8 - Slovenia 12; Malta 4 - Romania 19; Malta 13 - Ukraine 9; Malta 7 - Greece 31; Malta 8 - Italy 16.

U15 ITU Cup, Turkey, July 2019 Malta 4 - Russia 27, Malta 10 - Georgia 18, Malta 8 - Turkey 12.

U15 August 2019 – Serbia Darko Cukic Memorial (Serbia) Malta 10 - Montenegro 7; Serbia 12 - Malta 6; Malta 12 - Georgia 12; Malta 12 Croatia 13.

Under-14

U14 Partizan Legends, September 2019 Malta 13 - Spandau’04 11; Malta 12 - Galatasaray 11, Malta 13 - Svezda 7; Malta 11 - Novi Belgrade 7.

YEARS

SNIPPETS

Stevie Camilleri e Roma Nuoto ancora insieme!

Where is the waterpolo game heading to?

La Roma Nuoto ha il piacere di comunicare di aver trovato l’accordo per la conferma, anche nella prossima stagione, di Steven Camilleri. Il numero 7 giallorosso arrivato a Roma nel settembre del 2017 ha conquistato tutti con la sua serietà e professionalità. Le qualità tecniche non erano in discussione ma ciò che ha piacevolmente colpito sono state quelle umane. Il bomber maltese ha realizzato 70 reti nella prima stagione in A2 e 55 reti lo scorso anno in A1.

Numeri pazzeschi che fanno capire il perché il tecnico Roberto Gatto lo abbia fortemente rivoluto anche in questa stagione.

Le parole del DS Massimiliano Fabbri:”Trovare l’accordo con Stevie è stato molto semplice, c’era la volontà di ambo le parti di proseguire insieme. Siamo felici e gli faccio un grosso in bocca al lupo per la prossima stagione”

Interesting comments by Simon Daley of Academy Waterpolo

24-hour maraton On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September, a 24hr Waterpolo Marathon in Aid of Special Olympics was held at the Neptunes Pool. NEPTUNES offered its support to this fundraising activity which commenced at noon on the 21st until noon on Sunday 22nd September. Members came along with friends and family to support this initiative for a good cause. Throughout the event members could enjoy various activities and musical entertainment by local renowned artists, for all age groups. On Sunday afternoon, from 4pm onwards, fun & games will be organised for the those swimmers who have enjoyed training sessions throughout the summer season.

Neptunes pool-deck turned into an ‘ice’-hockey rink During the end of May, the Neptunes pool deck was converted into an attractive ‘ice’-hockey rink where the Swedish betting company Quickspin organized an ‘ice’-hockey tournament between ten local betting companies. The event attracted quite a good crowd both on the Neptunes’ pool deck as well as on the railings above the club. Certainly another ‘first’ for Neptunes.

Thank you, thank you very much... Beppe Sammut Just a short note to thank all those generous members and sponsors who contributed to allow us to continue investing in top foreign players for the club – this would not have been possible without their support which has been continuous and unwavering throughout the years. We may be a small club, but we clearly have a big heart!

98 SNIPPETS

WATERPOLO - GAME GONE CRAZY! The new rules of water polo have certainly put a spin on the current game which is supposed to be targeted at becoming more technical but if the World League Super finals is anything to go by, then it's so far off the mark, having the complete opposite effect.

Serbia against Croatia finished on a scoreline of 11-10 but the Croats had 23 exclusions against them with 5 players out on three major fouls. The Serbs had 19 exclusions against and 3 players fouled out for the game. Overall the game had 42 exclusions and 8 players fouled out. Yes its a grey phase for the game, new rules are being tested to the extreme by players and coaches but the interpretations have caused a conundrum for the governing body as the outcome currently, is more like rugby mixed with wrestling, rather than technical free flowing.

If this is the trend moving towards the Olympic Games in Tokyo whereby there will only be 11 players on the team lists, God help waterpolo!

A New flagpole for the Neptunes emblem

YEARS

SNIPPETS

Arrivederci Jordan!

STUART AZZOPARDI...

La Roma Nuoto comunica che Jordan Camilleri non farà più parte della prima squadra capitolina. Purtroppo gli impegni lavorativi e familiari non hanno consentito al difensore nazionale maltese, di giocare un altro anno da professionista all’estero. Da qui la rinuncia, nonostante la forte volontà di tutti di trattenerlo ancora per un’altra stagione a Roma. A Jordan vanno i più sentiti ringraziamenti per la professionalità e l’apporto dato in questa fantastica stagione, con la speranza, ovviamente, che si tratti solo di un arrivederci! Le parole del Presidente Nicolò Cristofaro:”Ringrazio Jordan per la professionalità e l’apporto dato in questa stagione. Ci ha colpito sia per le qualità tecniche che per quelle umani. Colgo l’occasione per ringraziare la federazione maltese nel nome del Presidente Joe Caruana che ha contributo in maniera determinante all’arrivo di Jordan”.

...who decided not to contest the election for the 2020 committee after conscientiously serving on the committee for the past seven consecutive years. Stuart is the father of star swimmer Mya Azzopardi and Neptunes’ player Matthias, who is being loaned to Sirens for 2020.

Another face missing from the official list of our committee men is Mr Andrea Sammut, although he is still active in the swimming sector.

NOEL BARTOLO & HIS SON ANDREW... ...who have been gratuitously supplying most of the photos for our magazines over the past years, pictured with Niki Lanzon.

ALI (left) AND AMIN... ...our two dedicated pooldeck attendants who scrupulously go about their daily work at the club and have become part of the Neptunes family.

This picture shows the mysterious flag hoisted at the club which was still a small wooden hut on a concrete platform.

It must have been taken before the forties. No solid explanation what the flag depicts. Some maintain that it could have been a flag collected by the late Joe ‘Banis’ Albanese who was one of the Malta team members in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games and he presented it to the club.

100 SNIPPETS