Parma won the first edition of the Malta Christmas Cup after defeating both Valletta and Hibernians in a triangular tournament on Wednesday 30th December. The tournament was part of a one-week training camp which the Italian Serie A side is holding in Malta.
In the first game, Hibernians defeated Valletta 3-1.
Ben Camilleri put the Paolites ahead on 12 minutes and Jonathan Pearson doubled the score six minutes later. Steve Borg pulled one back on 35 minutes but Chris Camilleri, who was making his first appearance for Hibernians sealed the issue with a third goal two minutes from time.
HIBS: Balzan, Barbara, B. Camilleri, R. Camilleri, Caruana, Cauchi (7′ Grech), Pearson, Tabone, Xuereb, Camilleri, Pulis.
VALLETTA: Vella, E. Agius (32′ D’Agostino), Borg, Falzon, Frendo, Grima, Grioli, Gauci, Cassar, Camilleri, O’Brien.
Referee: Chris Lautier.
Valletta then met Parma in the second match, losing 1-3.
Nicola Amoruso put the Italian side ahead when he converted a penalty on 26 minutes. Stefano Morrone doubled the score on 35 minutes. Irish striker Declan O’Brien reduced the gap for Valletta on the 40th but Davide Lanzafame made it 3-1 for Parma in added time.
VALLETTA: Hogg, G. Agius, Briffa, Bezzina (44′ Grima), Scicluna, Pace (44′ Grioli), Sammut (36′ E. Agius), Giglio, Priso, Dimech (36′ O’Brien), Scerri.
PARMA: Pavarini, Zaccardo, Panucci, Dellafiore, Zenoni, Dzemaili, Morrone, Galloppa, Castellini, Lanzafame, Amoruso.
Referee: Clayton Pisani
In the third match, Parma defeated Hibernians 4-0 to secure the first edition of the Malta Christmas Cup and Trofeo Diunamai.
Valeri Bojinov put Parma ahead on 18 minutes. Paolo Hernan Dellafiore doubled the score on 27 minutes and Massimo Pace scored twice on 36 and 44 minutes.
HIBS: Muscat, Caruana, Herrera, Pulis, Xuereb, Pearson, Barbara, Cohen, Malasenoks, Camilleri (29′ Cauchi), Galabov.
PARMA: Mirante, Zenoni, Paci, Dellafiore, Lucarelli, Budel, Lunardini, Cordova, Antonelli, Pisanu, Bojinov.
Referee: Marco Borg