Qrendi and Victoria Hotspurs will be facing each other in the final of the BOV Amateur Cup at the Centenary Stadium on Sunday, kick-off at 16:00.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Malta FA General Secretary Dr Maria Azzopardi, together with Amateur Leagues Standing Committee President Patrick Cutajar shared a series of key findings and details on the IZIBET Amateur Leagues for the 2024/25 season.
Dr Azzopardi noted that there has been a significant increase in attendance during matches in both leagues in the IZIBET Amateur leagues, with 28 percent more spectators than there were in the previous season.
Photos courtesy of Malta FA
She remarked that there was a total of 24,697 spectators across 277 matches in the IZIBET Amateur Leagues this season, and average of 89 spectators per match.
“This continues to confirm the increase in attendance that we have had throughout other competitions as well this season,” she remarked.
Dr Azzopardi also noted that this was the first year where clubs from the IZIBET Amateur Leagues had the opportunity to commercialise their names, with two clubs incorporating this (Birzebbuga St Peters Montekristo FC and Vittoriosa Stars D’Orsini FC).
From his end, Mr Cutajar pointed towards the Stop the Hate campaign that the Malta FA has been undergoing in collaboration with all Amateur League clubs.
“Captains wore special armbands, and each club also attended information sessions about how one should handle hate comments, both during games and also on social media,” he explained.
BOV AMATEUR CUP FINAL PREVIEW
Qrendi coach Gotthard Conti, joined by captain Brandon Bray, together with Victoria Hotspurs coach Oliver Spiteri and captain Ferdinando Apap, then proceeded to provide their comments ahead of the crucial BOV Amateur Cup Final that will take place on Sunday.
When asked what this trophy represents to Qrendi, Coach Conti said that winning it would be a “huge boost in a season where there have been many ups and downs.”
“The fact that we have reached the final is a huge source of motivation for the club. It is a final at the end of the day, and so the better side will ultimately win it.”
He remarked that while the team did not have many days to prepare for the match, given the semi-finals took place on Wednesday, it is a match that the team has been building up to day by day.
Qrendi made it to the final after securing a narrow but goal-filled win over Mellieha SC on Wednesday, with Coach Conti’s side emerging as 3-2 winners.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s final, Bray said that it is important that Qrendi rise to the occasion.
“You always have to respect your opponent, but you must never give up, especially ahead of such a final,” he remarked.
Coach Spiteri said that while Victoria Hotspurs were unbeaten in the league campaign, he does not expect the final against Qrendi to be an easy encounter.
“We know that this will not be a routine match as Qrendi is a team that is very disciplined. We have to continue working on what we have been doing all season,” he stated.
Given Victoria Hotspurs were crowned league champions, the BOV Amateur Cup presents them with the opportunity to secure a double. Coach Spiteri said that every competition is of equal importance to the team, and they “will always be prepared to win, and it is a testament to them that we have reached this point.”
Victoria Hotspurs booked a place in the BOV Amateur Cup Final after producing a dominant 5-0 win over Attard FC on Wednesday.
When asked how difficult it is to remain motivated and avoid any type of complacency after such a long season, Apap said that it is not easy, especially having played close to 40 games in the season.
“This competition means a lot to us, and the team is doing all it can, and the players remain motivated to end the season on a positive note,” he said.
