Balzan and Hibernians storm through semi-finals to reach FXDD Futsal KO Final being held on the 26th April 2013. 

Futsal KO holders Balzan FC and current league leaders Hibernians, outclassed their respective semi-final opponents last Friday evening at the Corradino Pavilion, to reach the KO final. The FXDD Futsal KO Final, will be played on the 26th April at 8pm, between these two very organized Futsal teams in what is expected to be a guaranteed Futsal spectacle. Both teams have already played each other twice this season, with both games ending in a draw, clearly highlighting the balance between both teams. Despite the fact that Hibernians are sole leaders of the Futsal league, yet both teams are still unbeaten.

In the first KO final played on Friday night, Balzan brushed aside a relatively weak Hamrun side, 8-0. With just one point after 14 games, Hamrun are in serious relegation issues, and it was quite surprising for the Spartans to manage to reach the semi-final stage.  On the other hand, for defending KO holders Balzan FC, this was probably their easiest KO game, considering that in their previous outings, they snatched narrow wins against Zejtun, Melita and Lija Athletics. During the game, Balzan’s scorers where Anton Cosmin – 4 goals, Florin Anton, Peter Sammut, Clint Cope and Hamrun’s Robert Fenech’s own goal completed the 8 – 0 score line.

Similarly in the second semi-final, Hibernians outclassed Floriana putting half a dozen goals past the helpless greens, 6-0. Hibs, like Balzan, had a difficult quarter final obstacle against neighbours Tarxien Rainbows.  The greens reached the semi-finals after beating first division San Gwann and Qormi squads. Hibernians captained by Malta international Xavier Saliba will meet Balzan in the final. Boycho Marev, Blagovest Marev and Ibrahim Tarik put their names on the scorer sheet.

The FXDD Futsal Premier League resumes on the 2nd April, after the Easter recess.

In tonight’s semi-finals we will see 4 FXDD Futsal Premier Teams fighting it out for a place in the final being held on the 26th April 2013 at 8pm.

In the first semi-final current Super Cup holders Balzan will be playing against Harmun Spartans. Hamrun are experiencing a tough season in the top futsal division and have only managed to register their first point in the last game against Valletta. Tonight’s game may turn around Hamrun’s fortunes during this season, on the other hand Balzan are still unbeaten in all competitions and are in a very good position to place in the top 4 and qualify for the FXDD Futsal Premier Play offs.

Balzan played against the following teams to reach the semi-finals:

1st round –         Balzan 3 – 2 Zejtun

2nd round –       Balzan 9 – 6 Melita

Quarter final –   Balzan 8 – 7 Lija

Hamrun played against the following teams to reach the semi-finals:

1st round –         Hamrun 2 – 0 Sirens

2nd round –       Hamrun 8 – 5 Gharghur

Quarter final –   Hamrun 7 – 6 Pembroke

In the second semi-final current FXDD Futsal Premier leaders Hibernians will play against Floriana. Hibernians like Balzan are also unbeaten in all competitions and have reached the 100 goal mark in the top flight and have also scored the most goals in the KO competition (scored 25 and conceded only 5 goals). On the other hand Floriana are having a turbulent season and lay in 6th place in the league.

Hibernians played against the following teams to reach the semi-finals:

1st round –         Hibernians 8 – 0 Zurrieq

2nd round –       Hibernians 11 – 1 Sirens

Quarter final –   Hibernians 6 – 4 Tarxien

Floriana played against the following teams to reach the semi-finals:

1st round –         Bye

2nd round –       Floriana 7 – 4 San Gwann

Quarter final –   Floriana 11 – 5 Qormi

Tonight’s Program 

FXDD Futsal KO Semi Finals

@ 20:00             Balzan v Hamrun Spartans – Kordin Pavilion
@ 21:30             Floriana v Hibernians – Kordin Pavilion

Rainbows hold champions Balzan FC

The highlight of the FXDD Premier League last week was undoubtedly Friday’s clash between current leaders and reigning champions Balzan FC and emerging side Tarxien Rainbows.  The latter have been making steady progress  in their bid to seek a berth in the top four positions, four points behind fourth placed Lija Athletics and with a game in hand. Balzan opened well, barely a few seconds from kick off through Cosmin Anton, but Tarxien regained their composure to control the game and level the score through Gabriel Dobre before half time. The same equilibrium was maintained throughout the second half with both teams balancing each other out.  Balzan took the lead once again through Basil Emeka but the Rainbows determination was awarded when Gabriel Dobre levelled the score once again. The game finished 2-2, with Balzan retaining their unbeaten record but losing two precious points in their close tie with Hibernians for top spot.

Earlier this week, Hibernians swept aside a poor Valletta side, 11-1, led once again by their inspirational Bulgarian Boicho Marev who scored 4 goals in this game whilst Aaron Camilleri scored the only goal for the citizens, which incidentally was the opening goal of the game.

Zejtun Corinthians kept the pace with the leaders, as they snatch three difficult points against a revitalized Floriana side with captain Jesmond Micallef snatching the winner in the final minutes of the game. Floriana showed signs of improvement over their previous performances, and could have avoided coming out of this game empty handed with a bit more concentration. On the other hand the Corinthians secured third place behind leading duo Balzan/Hibs.

In the other game on Friday night, Lija Athletics demolished a demoralized Luxol side, 17-0, to keep an edge over their closest rivals Tarxien Rainbows, with both teams battling for fourth place to ensure a place in the Championship Playoffs. Luxol on the other hand, face a relegation tussle with Valletta in an attempt to retain their position in the Premier League.

This week’s fixtures:

FXDD Premier Futsal Division 

FXDD Futsal Knock out Competition 

Hibs edge Tarxien in close encounter

The Premier League Futsal derby played last Friday, between title hopefuls Hibernians and Tarxien Rainbows, stole the limelight of last week’s FXDD Premier League fixtures. As expected the game was a balanced affair between two top futsal teams as the scoreline shows, 2-1. Hibernians managed to snatch three precious points out of this difficult encounter to retain top spot and remain unbeaten. The latter opened well, with Bulgarian international Boicho Marev testing the waters. The Rainbows on the other hand were dangerous through Romanian international trio swift counter attacks. First half ended in a stale mate.In the second half, Tarxien came out more aggressive, but Hibs’ Boicho Marev soon opened the score through a well taken free kick. James Ciangura was quick to level the score for Tarxien. From this point the match became more intense with both teams resorting to foul play. It was only four minutes from the end, and after a number of lost chances by the Rainbows, that Hibs notched the winner through Bzogovist Marev.

Earlier, Valletta and Luxol, drew 8-8 in another closely contested match, with both teams in search of some points in an attempt to avoid the relegation zone. With this result, both teams remain anchored in the lower end of the table just ahead of bottom placed Hamrun Spartans.

On Tuesday, the latter were crushed by current Futsal Champions, Balzan FC, 10-2, despite enjoying a 0-2 lead early in the first half. During this match, Balzan made full use of their reserves bench with Gary Busuttil and Peter Sammut leaving a good impression.

Zejtun Corinthians maintained the pace with the leaders, as they swept aside, Sliema Wanderers, 12-5, with Zejtun captain Jesmond Micallef once again in outstanding form and veteran Charlo Magro clearly establishing himself in the game. Zejtun Corinthians meet Lija Athletics this week, with both teams desperate for the three points to ensure a berth in the championship play offs.

The following are the FXDD Premier League fixtures this week:

05-March-2013 19:45 Zejtun Corinthians V Lija Athletic
05-March-2013 21:15 Floriana V Balzan
08-March-2013 20:00 St Andrews V Sliema Wanderers
08-March-2013 21:30 Hamrun Spartans V Tarxien Rainbows