Hamrun Spartans will face Valletta in the Last 32 phase of the Under 17 BNF Knock-Out following yesterday’s draws held at the Trophies Lounge. Another intriguing draw will see last season’s League A champions Floriana clashing with Birkirkara while holders Melita will play Mellieħa.
Interestingly, the Last 32 draw will have three games being played between teams who will qualify from the Preliminary Round.
Mosta v Pietà Hotspurs will be the main attraction at the Last 32 phase of the Under 15 BNF Knock-Out. All the other big guns from League A got a favourable draw and start as favourites to qualify to the Last 16. Despite not being part of League A, the clash between Sliema Wanderers and Floriana is one to watch in the second round of the competition.
In both competitions, Preliminary Round will see teams from League C and League D face off in the early rounds of the competition. Teams from League A, League B and the best classified teams from League C will enter the phase from the Last 32.
The Preliminary Round will be played in November while both phases of Last 32 are scheduled for the last week before Christmas.
Under 17 Leagues C and D
In the Under 17 League C, Rabat Ajax will debut against Żebbuġ Rangers following their promotion from League D last season. On their part, Żebbuġ were relegated from League B last season. Marsaskala, winners of League D will face Mellieħa in their first encounter of the new campaign.
From League D, Mqabba and Qrendi, who last season competed as one team, went their separate ways and will compete as two different teams. On Match Day 1, Mqabba will play against Birżebbuġa Windmill while Qrendi will be the opponents of Santa Venera Lightnings. Both Leagues will start on Sunday 15th September 2024.
Under 15 Leagues C and D
Qormi will start their road to regain League B status as they start their commitments against Luqa St. Andrew’s. The two promoted teams namely Pembroke Athleta and Marsaxlokk will start their season against Sliema Wanderers and Marsaskala respectively.
League D will see four new teams competiting. Mqabba will play against Santa Venera Lightnings while Xgħajra Tornadoes and Żejtun Corinthians will start against Sirens and Siġġiewi respectively. Żurrieq are the opponents of Mġarr United.
League formats
League C in both Under 15 and Under 17 categories will se 10 teams play each other once and at the end of the first phase, the best six teams will form the Top 6 to challenge for league and promotion while the other four teams will form the Play-Out to compete against relegation. In Phase 2, both groups will play one round.
League D will have a similar format. The only difference will be that 11 teams will form the Under 17 league while 12 teams are competing in the Under 15 league. In Phase 2, the Top 6 will remain the same while the other group will be made up of five and six teams respectively.