Hibernians will be facing Qormi in next Wednesday’s U*BET FA Trophy final after defeating Valletta 3-2 in a semi-final marked by two incidents surrounding two penalties towards the end of the first half.

In fact, Hibs were awarded a penalty eight minutes from the end of the first half and Valletta had two players sent off, including goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo, in a couple of minutes’ time. The Paolites went two goals ahead but in added time, it was the turn of Valletta to be awarded a penalty and reduce the gap with Hibs captain Mario Muscat being sent off. In the second half, Hibs increased the lead but Valletta narrowed the gap in added time.

This will be the second consecutive final between Hibs and Qormi after the Paolites won their ninth Trophy last year beating them 3-1

A goal by Edison Bilbao Zarate mid-way through the second half enabled Qormi to reach a third final of the U*BET FA Trophy as they defeated First Division side Lija Athletic 1-0. In next Wednesday’s final, they will face the winners of the clash between Valletta and Hibernians.

Lija, who had eliminated Premier League side Floriana in the fourth round, gave a very good account of themselves, having their fair share of scoring opportunities and hitting the bar but ended the game in nine men after having two players sent off.

FIFA Referee Esther Azzopardi is currently in Switzerland attending an important seminar in preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup being held in Canada in 2015.

Esther Azzopardi is one of 40 candidates who were officially welcomed in Zurich on Monday by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and FIFA Head of Women’s Referees, Sonia Denoncourt.

FIFA Beach Soccer Referee Jude Amin Utulu is currently officiating in the Euro Winners Cup 2013 being held in the Italian town of San Benedetto del Tronto in the province of Ascoli Piceno.

Jude Amin Utulu’s appointment is the first ever international participation by a Maltese referee in beach soccer. Malta has two international beach soccer referees, the other being Stefan Pace.

Nadur Youngsters’ captain Anthony Portelli has been named Gozo’s BOV Player of the Month for April. He is the third Nadur player to win the GFA player of the month award.

Portelli is widely acknowledged as being a key member of Nadur Youngsters, having played a remarkable role in helping his team to win the Gozo league trophy and the BOV GFA Cup.