Hamrun Spartans were crowned champions of the 360Sports Malta Premier after defeating Birkirkara 1-0 in the Championship final at the National Stadium on Saturday in front on 9,612 spectators.
This was the third consecutive title for the Spartans and the fourth one in five years since the appointment of Joseph Portelli as president.
Credit for this title goes to coach Winston Muscat who took over as coach in March following a far from impressive campaign for the Spartans in which they had won eleven matches, drew five times and lost nine matches. Under the leadership of Muscat, Hamrun won four matches and drew twice following a defeat to Sliema on his debut. They made it to the Final Four after finishing on level points with Closing Round winners Sliema Wanderers and in the semi-finals, they eliminated Floriana on penalties last Monday.
Birkirkara, on the other hand, have to settle for the runner-up spot and a spot in the UEFA Conference League.
The final was a balanced affair with both sides having their fair share of scoring opportunities.
Birkirkara tested Henry Bonello with an angled shot by Alex Satariano on 7 minutes and nine minutes later, a corner by Pablo Gaitan was parried by the Hamrun goalkeeper. On 35 minutes, the Stripes went close to taking the lead when Maxuell Maia had a first attempt from the right blocked by Bonello but he took the rebound and hit low with Roko Prsa clearing the ball off the goal line.
Hamrun replied with a fine cross by Redon Mihana for Talison who chested the ball down and tested Giacomo Volpe with an angled shot from the right on 36 minutes and one minute later, Joseph Mbong sent Roko Prsa through but the latter hit wide from an ideal position inside the area.
Hamrun managed to take the lead on 63 minutes. Off a corner from the right, Jovan Cadjenovic passed the ball to Joseph Mbong along the goal line and the latter served Roko Prsa who placed the ball at the back of the net from close range.
Birkirkara replied with a pass by Maia for Shaun Dimech from the right but the latter hit just wide on 70 minutes.
In the final stages, the Stripes pushed hard for the equaliser and two minutes in added time, Shaun Dimech served Satariano whose powerful angled shot from the left hit the upright.
However, in a swift counter break for Hamrun, Menacho served Lopes, who all alone in front of the goalkeeper, missed an excellent opportunity to double the score.
After the game, the Spartans were presented with the cup by Malta Premier League chairman Dr Joseph Muscat, accompanied by Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo and a representative of 360Sports.