Melita Malta Football Awards - Finalists of the 8th edition announced
The Organising Committee of the 8th edition of the Melita Malta Football Awards announced the finalists for this year's edition which is to be held on Tuesday 2nd June 2009 at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana.Apart from the now established categories of which the finalists have been announced, this year there will be more Awards given out during this high profile night which will be televised live on Melita Sports and on the Weather and Info Channel of Melita. These extra Awards will be the Best Third Division Award and the Public's Most Favourite Player Award. The latter is the only Award for which the voting is still open. Football supporters and televiewers can vote by sending an SMS on 5061 4914 with the name of their favourite player for the 2008/09 season. Melita Mobile subscribers must send sms's on 50614 008. At the moment Tarxien Rainbows Captain Steve Sadowski is leading the category with marginal advantage over Gilbert Agius of Valletta and Mario Muscat of Hibs. Voting via sms will come to an end during the actual presentation night.
In the meantime, Sandro Micallef - Chairperson Malta Football Awards commented that the response from those who were entitled to vote for the main Premier League categories was very satisfactory with the majority handing in their vote to the organizing committee on time before the elimination process before the three finalists could be determined. Those who were entitled to vote for the established Premier League Categories included 45 local journalists, 10 Premier Club Presidents, 10 Premier Club Coaches and 10 Premier Club Captains.
Although these awards are mainly focused to establish the best Premier League players in their respective votes, the Organizing Committee would also like to publicly thank all the Clubs in lower divisions especially the 2nd, 3rd and Futsal Clubs who sent in their votes on time, thus confirming that the Melita Malta Football Awards is also being appreciated by these respective divisions.
The following are the finalists of the 8th edition: Best Goalkeeper
Anthony Curmi (Tarxien R.)
Andrew Hogg (Valletta)
Mario Muscat (Hibernians)
Best Defender
Luke Dimech (Valletta)
Ronni Hartvig (Birkirkara)
Alex Muscat (Sliema)
Best Midfielder
Roderick Briffa (Valletta)
Andrew Cohen (Hibernians)
Clayton Failla (Hibernians)
Best Forward
Mariano Bueno (Tarxien)
Njongo Priso Doding (Valletta)
Terrence Scerri (Hibernians)
Best Coach
John Buttigieg (Birkirkara)
Mark Miller (Hibernians)
Paul Zammit (Valletta)
Most Promising Youngster
Miguel Ciantar (Sliema)
Jean Paul Farrugia (Hibernians)
Tyrone Farrugia (Msida SJ)
Best Local Player
Andrew Cohen (Hibernians)
Clayton Failla (Hibernians)
Terrence Scerri (Hibernians)
Best Foreign Player
Daniel Mariano Bueno (Tarxien)
Christian Callejas (Hibernians)
Sylvano Comvalius (Hamrun)
Best Female Player
Eleonora Agliano (Birkirkara)
Ylenia Carabott (Sliema Raiders)
Rachel Cuschieri (Birkirkara)
Sonia Farrugia (Sliema Raiders)
Best Veteran Player
Gilbert Agius (Valletta)
Jeffrey Chetcuti (Sliema)
Brian Said (Marsaxlokk)
Best Futsal First Division Player 1st Div
Zeljko Anicic (Jeepers)
Nicholas Bilocca (Aluserv)
Alexander Ribic (White Eagles)
Bjorn Vassallo (Aluserv)
Best GFA First Division Player
Mario Azzopardi (Sannat)
John Camilleri (Sannat)
Mark Muscat (Sannat)
Best First Division Player
Steve Borg (Mosta)
Martin Deanov (Pieta)
Anthony Eviparker (Vittoriosa)
Best Second Division Player
Aaron Agius (Balzan)
Matthew Borg (Melita)
Michael Martin (Melita)
Best Third Division Player
Ayrton Buhagiar (Mdina)
Mark Camilleri (Siggiewi)
Alan Spiteri (Gharghur)
In view of some additional fine goals scored after the closing date to submit votes, of the Organizing Committee decided to discuss this award in more detail in another meeting which will be held later this week.
More details about the upcoming 8th edition and photo gallery of the previous editions can be obtained from www.maltafootball.com/awards
The Melita Malta Football Awards are supported by the Malta FA and all of its affiliated Clubs.
NB. Categories with four finalists imply two or more players have received same amount of votes.