Hibernians FC were crowned BOV Premier League Champions 2021/22 following the 1-2 defeat to Gzira United at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday in the final match from the Top Six final round.
Hibs were therefore the first club to be able the lift the trophy at their own stadium. The first championship for Ranier Bezzina in his first season as president after he took over from his father Tony Bezzina who passed away last year and the first title for coach Stefano Sanderra after four years leading the Paolites. This thirteenth title also arrives as the club celebrates its hundredth anniversary.
Meanwhile this result puts Gzira United in fourth place and therefore in case Floriana or Hibernians win the Izibet FA Trophy, they would enter the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Hibernians managed to take the lead on the 9th minute when they were awarded a penalty and Hugo Filipe Da Costa Oliveira converted.
However Gzira levelled matters thanks to Toni Kolega who received a cross by Nikolai Muscat, concluding a good move with a diagonal shot which gave goalkeeper Calleja Cremona no chance.
Towards the end of the first half, Gzira were unlucky not to forge ahead but Jefferson hit the upright with an overhead kick.
The Maroons made it 2-1 eleven minutes in the second half after Yuri Messias gained possession just outside the area and rounded a defender before hitting home past Calleja Cremona.
After the game, Miguel Borg, Chief Risk Officer at Bank of Valletta, and Bjorn Vassallo, President of the Malta Football Association presented the BOV Premier League Trophy to Andrei Agius and Bjorn Kristensen.
Photos courtesy of Bank of Valletta
