Hibernians won the Euro Cup after claiming maximum points from the three matches played, beating Floriana 3-1 in their final game.
The Paolites were clearly a better side right from the start and although Floriana levelled matters early in the first half, they were quick to regain the lead.
The Greens had four new faces in squad – Albanians Bledjon Guga, Erlis Frasheri and Ermir Stati together with Richard Brightwell. Christian Caruana, Christian Cassar and Owen Bugeja were missing. Hibernians, on the other hand, lacked Jonathan Pearson and Edison Luis dos Santos.
Jurgen Borg was called into action early in the game on two attempts by Jean Paul Farrugia. On the 16th minute, Marcelo Dias advanced all alone on the left and after having his conclusion deflected by the goalkeeper, Jean Paul Farrugia passed the ball back to Dias who controlled the ball before having his low shot deflected into a corner by Jurgen Borg. Borg performed a good save on Jason Vandelannoite’s header off Jackson Lima’s corner.
On the 19th minute, Jean Paul Farrugia had a powerful shot from the edge of the area turned into a corner by the Floriana goalkeper. From the resulting corner by Jackson Lima, Adrian Pulis hit home from close range to put Hibernians ahead.
The Paolites kept pushing for more and a diagonal shot by Jackson Lima from the left ended just wide on 23 minutes.
Floriana equalised five minutes in the second half thanks to a direct freekick by Emir Strati from the right who gave goalkeeper Mario Muscat no chance.
However Hibs were awarded a penalty on 57 minutes after goalkeeper Jurgen Borg brought down Jean Paul Farrugia. From the penalty spot, Andrew Cohen converted to make it 2-1.
A Jackson Lima effort was neutralised by Jurgen Borg on 65 minutes and a few seconds later, off a cross by Dias from the right, Jean Paul Farrugia headed wide.
The Greens were reduced to ten men on 67 minutes after Manolito Micallef fouled Marcelo Dias just outside the area. From the resulting freekick, Jackson Lima placed the ball at the back of the net.
On the other side of the pitch, a freekick by Tyrone Farrugia was parried by Muscat. Triston Caruana then hit the crossbar for Hibernians with a shot from inside the area on 84 minutes.
HIBS Mario Muscat, Ryan Camilleri, Adrian Pulis (46’ Elie Moises Ndekre), Jason Vandelannoite, Bjorn Kristensen (33’ Triston Caruana), Edward Herrera, Jackson Di Lima Siqueira, Andrew Cohen, Marcelo Dias (70’ Matthew Tabone), Jean Paul Farrugia, Rodolfo Soares.
Subs not used: Nicholas Grima, Johann Bezzina, Steve Pisani, Clayton Failla.
Coach: Michael Woods
Asst. Coach: Richard Mercieca
FLORIANA Jurgen Borg, Duncan Pisani, Tyrone Farrugia, Manolito Micallef, Bledjon Guga, Erlis Frasheri (88′ Mark Spiteri), Brooke Farrugia, Joseph Borg (46’ Richard Brightwell), Sacha Borg, Clyde Borg (84’ Jermain Brincat), Ermir Strati.
Subs not used: John Agius, Ivan Woods, Francesco Guzman, Ryan Darmanin.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Chris Francalanza
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: T. Farrugia, J. Vandelannoite, Jur. Borg, Soares
Red Cards: 67’ Manolito Micallef
Scorers: 19’ Adrian Pulis (H); 50’ Ermir Strati (F); 59’ Andrew Cohen pen (H); 68’ Jackson Di Lima Siqueira (H)
Attendance:425