Hibernians F.C vs Balzan F.C.

2-2 (5-0) Agg. 7-2

Hibernians: Chris Cassar, Branko Nisevic,Cedric Sciberras, Darren Agius, Melvin Borg, Tarek Io Nisevic,Cedric Sciberras, Darren Agius, Melvin Borg, brahim, Xavier Saliba, Giorgi Gerasimov (2), Blogovist Marev (1), Boicho Marev, Cain Agius.

Balzan: Matthew Xerxen, Carlo Scicluna, Nicola Delre, Gary Busuttil, Clint Cope, Florin Anton, Christian Micallef, Basil Emeka (1), Alexander Ribic (2), Peter Sammut, Reuben Grech, Glenn Bonello

Referee 1: Jude Amin Utulu
Referee 2: Pierre Bonnici
Referee 3: Adrian Caruana
Time Keeper: Robert Darmanin

Il-Ġimgħa 24 ta’ Mejju 2013, quddiem attendenza numeruża fil-Padiljun Sportiv ta’ Kordin, f’Raħal Ġdid, intlagħbet it-tieni leg tal-finali tal-Play Offs tal-Kampjonat Premier tal-Futsal, bejn Hibernians u Balzan. F’ atmosfera festiva, preżenti kien hemm ukoll xi tfal mill-iskola tal-Futsal.

Kienu Hibernians li fetħu l-iskor permezz ta’ Blogovist Marev u aktar tard fl-ewwel taqsima Balzan, ġabu d-draw permezz ta’ Basil Emeka. Kienu Balzan imbagħad li marru momentarjament fil-vantaġġ b’gowl ta’ Alexander Ribic. Giorgi Gerasimov ta’ Hibernians għalaq l-iskor, b’riżultat finali ta’ 2-2. Balzan kellhom ukoll lejn l-aħħar tat-tieni taqsima jilgħabu ħames minuti b’żewġ plejers anqas, meta Glenn Bonnello u Clint Cope irċevew it-tieni karta safra
tagħhom.

Għalhekk Hibernians rebħu l-ewwel kampjonat Premier organizzat mill-Futsal Malta Association (FMA) b’aggregate ta’ 7-2. Wara l-partita it-tim ta’ Hibernians ġew ippremjati bil-midalji u t-tazza li ġiet mgħottija lilhom mis-Sur Donald Spiteri, President tal-FMA.

Stephen Azzopardi
Journalist / Commentator
Melita Sports
www.sportinmalta.com

Balzan and Hibernians make it to the final 

The second leg of the FXDD Futsal Play Offs Semi Final was held yesterday at the Corradino Pavilion, between Balzan-Tarxien and Hibs-Zejtun.  In the first leg, Balzan had obtained a narrow two goal lead after they won 5-3. In yesterday’s game they had to struggle to maintain this lead as they faced a resilient Tarxien side, led by international Romanian National Team Futsal players Gabriel Dobre and Emil Raducu.  On the other hand defending champions Balzan were once again led by their player coach Florin Anton.  Tarxien opened well through Emil Raducu but Balzan levelled the score before half time.  Tarxien pressed hard for the advantage but Balzan went ahead operating mainly through counter attacks.  Game ended 6-5 for Balzan.

In the other semi final, Hibernians cruised to victory after beating Zejtun Corinthians 7-4. Hibernians started off with a comfortable 4 goal cushion  after they beat the Corinthians 8-4 in the first leg last Friday. Bobo Marev and Cedric Sciberras was once again inspirational for Hibs in both games.    Zejtun opened the score through Charlo Magro but Hibs soon regained their composure and took control of the game.

Balzan will now meet Hibernians in the final which will be played on two legs next Monday and Friday respectively.  Incidentally this will be the second final between these two teams in the stretch of three weeks, after they clashed in the FXDD Futsal KO, which went Balzan’s way, 6-3.  Both games will be played at the Corradino Pavilion at 8pm and entrance is free.

Balzan and Hibs win first legs of play off semi-finals

The first legs of the FXDD Futsal Premier League Championship playoffs kicked off last Friday, with the first semi-finals of the final four being played between, Balzan FC, Tarxien Rainbows, Hibernians and Zejtun Corinthians.

In the first semi- final, defending Champions Balzan FC, came from behind to overcome a stern challenge from Tarxien Rainbows, 5-3. With no less than five Romanian players on the field, Cosmin and Florin Anton for Balzan, and Gabriel Dobre, Emil Raducu and Andrei Brasoveanu for the Rainbows, all was set for a balanced encounter. Cosmin Anton opened the score for Balzan in the second minute but Emil Raducu levelled the score immediately 1-1. Steve Gambin put the Rainbows ahead in the 13th minute but Glenn Bonello restored the score just before half time, sending both teams to the dressing rooms 2-2.  Romainian international Gabriel Dobre put the Rainbows once again into advantage, but Glenn Bonello was quick enough to draw 3-3. The following three minutes proved deadly for the Rainbows as Balzan score twice, through Cosmin Anton in the 27th and Florin Anton in the 28th to seal victory and give a two goal advantage to the Champions ahead on next Tuesday’s second leg.

In the other semi-final played on Friday, Hibs ousted Zejtun Corinthians, 8-4, putting them firm favourites to reach the FMA Championship Final. Hibernians opened well through Cedric Sciberras, with Giorgi Grasimov adding a brace in the 13th and 17th minute, putting the Poalites 3-0 up. Marev Blogovist’s fourth goal just before half time put Hibs in the driving seat for the rest of the game, so much that Cedric Sciberras and Boicho Marev continue to increase the score, 6-0 for Hibernians, before Zejtun pulled two goals back through Charlo Magro and Bojan Nimic in the 32nd and 34th minute respectively. Edwin Gauci was red carded for Zejtun after a late tackle. The seventh goal for Hibs also marked Cedric Sciberras’ hat trick, crowning his excellent performance, 7-2. Bojan Nimic and Charlo Magro added another goal each to reduce the deficit to 7-4, but Boicho Marev’s last minute goal for Hibs made the Corinthians recovery in the second leg next Tuesday extremely difficult.

The second leg of the FXDD Futsal Championship semi-finals proceeds as follows:

14-May-13 19:45 – Premier Playoffs – FXDD Premier Div Semifinal Leg 2A Tarxien Rainbows – Balzan

14-May-13 21:15 – Premier Playoffs – FXDD Premier Div Semifinal Leg 2B Zejtun Corinthians – Hibernians

For more photos from these 2 semifinals please visit our photo gallery https://fma.com.mt/photos/

FMA is happy to announce that as from this year FMA will be presenting all 3 teams promoted with a cup (which clubs can keep forever) and 20 medals per team.

The presentations will be held on the 26th May after the final fixture of each division. We encourage you to attend to this presentation.

Congratulations to all the teams promoted.

Promoted teams from the FXDD Futsal Second Division
Pembroke Athleta F.C., Vittoriosa Stars Futsal Club, Birzebbuga St. Peters F.C.

Promoted teams from the FXDD Futsal Third Division
Qrendi F.C Futsal., Fgura United F.C., Marsaskala F.C.

Futsal Basic Course

Introduction

As from this season, FMA (Futsal Malta Association) has taken over the futsal national leagues from MFA and in line with our long term objective to improve the overall level of the local game, we are organising the basic futsal course. The course will be prepared by the Maltese Futsal National Coach Kevin Mifsud.

 Duties of a trainer/coach can be divided into:

• Coaching during futsal matches
• Analysing futsal matches
• Match preparation and debriefing
• First Aid
• Referees
• Guiding players

 Purpose of the course

The main point will be that Futsal coaches will be able to plan and teach the playing style development to the team.  The following subjects will be covered during this 10 session course:

• Methodology
• Attack
• Defence
• Match Analysis
• Set Pieces
• First Aid
• Refereeing

 Commencement and duration of course

There will be 9 sessions + Exam:

1. Tuesday 28th May – 18:30 to 21:30pm
2. Tuesday 4th June – 18:30 to 21:30pm
3. Tuesday 11th June – 18:30 to 21:30pm
4. Tuesday 18th June – 18:30 to 21:30pm
5. Tuesday 25th June – 18:30 to 21:30pm
6. Tuesday 2nd July – 18:30 to 21:30pm
7. Tuesday 9th July – 18:30 to 21:30pm
8. Saturday 13th July – 10:00 to 13:00pm
9. Tuesday 16th July – 18:30 to 21:30pm
10. Saturday 20th July – 10:00 to 12:00pm

All sessions will be held at Corradino sports pavilion in Paola.

Candidates can miss not more than one lesson to sit for exam.
The cost of this course is €50 for each participant.

For more information please contact FMA General Secretary via email: alexfalzonfma@gmail.com

FMA General Secretary

FXDD Futsal Knock Out Final – 26.04.2013 – Corradino Pavilion

Balzan FC – FXDD Futsal KO Champions

Balzan FC snatched their second honour this season after claiming the FXDD Futsal KO Cup organized for the first time by the Futsal Malta Association in a hard fought win against Hibernians, 6 – 3. Balzan had opened the FMA season last September winning the FXDD Futsal Super Cup against Lija Athletics.

Balzan FC, currently leading the league standings and still unbeaten with only two games remaining ahead of the Championship play offs, faced strong resistance from title contenders Hibernians.

In front of a record crowd which packed the Corradino Pavilion last Friday night, it was clearly evident from the initial stages of the game that this was going to be a thrilling balanced encounter with each side controlling the opponents well in the first half.  Balzan FC opened the score in the 17th minute through Basil Emeka but Hibernians managed to level the score just 4 seconds before the half time through Cedric Sciberras.

In the second half, although the game remained fairly balanced, but both teams immediately pushed more to go into the lead. In the 21st minute, Balzan were again in the lead through a well taken free kick by Florin Anton. Hibernians determination once again led them to level this score through Boicho Marev. Balzan’s Nicola del Re was sent off for his second yellow card after a reckless tackle.  Glenn Bonello put Balzan back in the lead in the 30th minute, whilst Basil Emeka added another one making it 4 – 2 for Balzan, with three minutes to go.

The game ignited as Hibernians pulled one back once again through Cedric Sciberras, as Balzan players protested for foul play on their goalkeeper Rueben Grech. Few seconds after, Balzan were awarded a controversial penalty, which was converted by Glenn Bonello making the score 5 – 3. In the dying seconds of the game, Balzan sealed their KO victory with another beautiful goal once again from Florin Anton. The final whistle, sent the Balzan clan in euphoric mood.  Balzan FC captain, Christian Micallef was presented with the FXDD KO Trophy from Ms. Fiona Soler, FXDD General Manager and Mr. Donald Spiteri, FMA President.

More photos can be found in the gallery section on this website https://fma.com.mt/photos/