The National Stadium was painted with the red and black colours of Hamrun Spartans as the newly-crowned Malta champions kickstarted their title party following a 1-1 draw against Hibernians.

 

The match had little significance for the Spartans in terms of result as they had already attained mathematical certainty of a second successful title after they dismantled their nearest rivals Floriana 5-0 the previous weekend.

 

But still, they were keen on putting on a strong showing and they did have a perfect start when Jonny put them ahead after five minutes.

 

Hibs were not demoralised and restored parity just before the break through Rodni Antwi.

 

After the break, Hibs were more motivated to go on for the win in a bid to leapfrog Birkirkara in fifth place but in the end, the stalemate prevailed.

 

However, the best was yet to come for the Spartans and after the final whistle club captain Steve Borg was presented with the league trophy by MFA president Bjorn Vassallo to kickstart the Spartans title party.

 

Hamrun Spartans coach Luciano Zauri decided to make two changes in his starting formation as Montenegrin forward Uros Duranovic was preferred to Luke Montebello, the current Premier League top scorer, who had to settle for a place on the bench while Ognjen Bjelicic was drafted in the three-man defence at the expense of Eder.

 

Hibernians, on their part, under the charge of Branko Nisevic, who incidentally last year had led the Spartans to the Premier League title, made one change to their starting formation as Robert Bairam was preferred to Jurgen Degabriele.

 

The match was played in front of a party atmosphere as hundreds of Hamrun Spartans fans thronged the Enclosure stand to celebrate their team’s latest achievement.

 

Jonny puts Hamrun Spartans ahead against Hibernians.

 

And the Spartans fans quickly had good reason to celebrate as after five minutes of play Hamrun were already in front.

 

Roko Prsa sent Ryan Camenzuli clear on the left and the Malta wing back immediately sent a low cross inside the area. The Hibernians defenders failed to clear and in came Jonny who blasted the ball past Hibs goalkeeper Hugo Sacco and into the roof of the net.

 

The Spartans were now in ascendancy and on 14 minutes they came close to double their lead.

 

Roko Prsa broke inside the area but was dispossessed by Ferdinando Apap with the ball falling into the path of Jonny who saw his shot deflected into the sidenetting.

 

On 24 minutes, Hibernians defender Hugo Alves Fernandes almost presented the Spartans with the second goal on a plate when his clearance went straight into the feet of Duranovic but the Montenegrin forward shot straight into the hands of Sacco.

 

Hibernians finally threatened on 31 minutes when from a Giannis Bastianos free-kick, Ferdinando Apap rose above his marker but headed wide.

 

The Paolites did manage to equalise five minutes from the break.

 

The hard-working Bonanni sent a dipping pass into the path of Rodni Antwi who chipped the ball past Federico Marchetti.

 

The Spartans tried to respond immediately and they came close to restore their lead a minute later when Jonny saw his low shot blocked by Sacco.

 

After the break, Zauri withdrew Bjelicic and roped in Eder in a bid to add more dynamism to his midfield.

 

The Brazilian midfielder almost made an instant impact when he stormed inside the area but was thwarted by a providential tackle by Ferdinando Apap.

 

Hibernians were not ready to let the Spartans have it all their way and in these early stages, they pressed hard their opponents as they were keen to bag all three points.

 

On 67 minutes, Bairam picked Antwi who headed wide.

 

Hamrun Spartans fans in full voice at the National Stadium. Video: Matthew Mirabelli
Bastianos had a glorious chance to put Hibs ahead when the Greek forward was left unmarked but headed incredibly wide from a Kurt Shaw cross.

 

Hamrun finally threatened on 75 minutes with a typical transition play initiated by Joseph Mbong who sped through and released Paintsil but his shot was blocked by Sacco.

 

As the match entered the final quarter, it started to lose much of its intensity with the Spartans happy to administer their advantage while Hibs tried to pounce in a bid to clinch the winner.

 

Sportdesk – Valhmor Camilleri

 

You can find our club Audited Financial Report for 2023 by click the link below:

 

Hibernians FC – Audited Financial Report 31-12-2023

Marsaxlokk secured fourth place thanks to a 2-0 win over Hibernians at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday.

 

The Southseasiders, in fact, moved nine points clear of Hibernians and Birkirkara. The Stripes, however, have a game in hand.

 

Following a goalless first half, Marsaxlokk took the lead eight minutes in the second half thanks to Karl Micallef.

 

Nikolai Muscat sealed the issue with a penalty one minute in added time.

 

Maltafootball.com – Antoine Busuttil

 

 

 

 

 

Mosta stunned Hibernians to secure a crucial victory as they vie for safety in the Premier League run-in.

 

The Blues moved out of the red zone as they sit 10th on 27 points with just two games left in this 2023/2024 campaign.

 

On the other hand, Hibernians saw their slim hopes of securing a top-four position dented as they remain fifth with 34, trailing fourth-place Marsaxlokk with six goals.

 

Both teams made changes to their starting line-ups with Mosta making an important change upfront as Chidera Nwoga was given the nod ahead of Italian Kevin Tulimieri.

 

The Nigerian player has two goals for Mosta including in their last positive result, a 1-1 draw against Sta Lucia on April 7.

 

Moreover, coach Joseph Grech deployed Ben Aziz Dao from the start as Precious Tenebe was dropped on the bench.

 

On the other hand, Hibernians made a change between the sticks as Malta U-21’s international Hugo Sacco takes over from Ibrahim Kone.

 

Robert Bairam started as fullback Gabriel Artiles takes his place on the bench as captain Jurgen Degabriele starts upfront.

 

Degabriele scored a last-gasp leveller for Hibernians as they held Valletta to a four-goal draw last week.

 

Hibernians were forced to make an early change when Mamadou Bagayako picked up a knock and was replaced by Gabriel Artiles.

 

The Paolites drew first blood through Alex Bruno who converted from the penalty spot after David Akpan had floored Rodney Antwi.

 

However, Hibs failed to control their result as Mosta scored three times without a replay.

 

Grech’s team levelled terms through Gustavo Chara whose low-drive beat Sacco from the edge of the penalty area.

 

After the change of ends, Mosta scored through Shedrack Thomas with another shot before Jean Paul Farrugia, former Hibernians player, beat Sacco with a curling effort after a solo effort.

 

Sportsdesk – Gianluca Lia

 

A Jurgen Degabriele goal three minutes from time shattered Valletta’s hopes of a crucial victory in their fight against relegation as the Paolites clinched a 2-2 draw at the National Stadium.

 

It looked as though Valletta were heading for a very important win after goals from Brandon Paiber and David Garba put them 2-1 ahead.

 

However, the dismissal of Juan Bolanos proved a serious blow as the Citizens could not hold on to their advantage with Degabriele scoring a spectacular equaliser to leave both teams with just a point in the bag.

 

In the end, the final result didn’t suit either side as Hibernians remained three points adrift of fourth-placed Marsaxlokk while Valletta are third-from-bottom on 21 points, five away from safety, with just three matches left.

 

Hibernians made a fast start and after two minutes Bruno punished some hesitant defending from Vieira but his shot just missed the upright.

 

On 23 minutes Jurgen Degabriele sped inside the City area but his attempt to find Lucas Caruana was miscued as Alessandro Guarnone saved his effort.

 

Valletta finally threatened three minutes later when Silas picked Federico Falcone but his header flashed wide.

 

The Citizens were growing in stature and they took the lead on 34 minutes when Brandon Paiber hit a firm low drive that gave no chance to Kone.

 

Things could have gone better for Valletta three minutes later when Paiber fed Jake Azzopardi but the City midfielder was intercepted by Kone.

 

After the break, Hibs made their intentions clear right from the outset and they drew level on 55 minutes.

 

Kurt Shawn powered his way inside the area and picked Dennis Antwi who slotted the ball into the net.

 

But despite that setback, Valletta kept fighting and two club products lifted the club fans to full voice when engineering the team’s second goal.

 

Ewurum found substitute David Garba on the edge of the area and the young striker hit a powerful drive that gave no chance to Kone.

 

Valletta suffered a blow 12 minutes from time when Bolanos was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

 

The Citizens were defending boldly but their hopes of victory were shattered by Jurgen Degabriele two minutes from time.

 

The Malta striker picked the ball on the edge area and fired home with a fine volley from the edge of the area to leave Valletta facing the sceptre of relegation.

 

Sportsdesk – Valhmor Camilleri

 

In Sunday’s final match from the Premier League, Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians cancelled each other out in a goalless stalemate.

 

With four games left, Sliema are in the driving seat to secure the third place as they are on 42 points while Marsaxlokk follow in fourth on 34.

 

On the other hand, Hibernians’ slim chances of pipping the Blues to third were dashed as they remain fifth on 33 following their seventh draw of the season.

 

Sportdesk – Gianluca Lia

 

Join us for our Extraordinary General Meeting on Friday, 5th April at 6pm. We’ll gather in the hall of the Hibernians Football Academy, located at Trig I-Isqof Buhagiar in Ghajn Dwieli. This meeting carries significant importance as we delve into crucial matters pertaining to our club’s financial status, particularly the reading and approval of the 2023 Financial Report. It’s imperative for all members to participate, especially as this meeting is directly linked to the acquisition of the UEFA license for the upcoming season. Please ensure to bring your membership card for attendance.

 

For more Information click the following link: Hibernians F.C. EGM 2024

Hibernians maintained their push for the top four spot when they beat lowly Sirens 2-1.

 

Ferdinando Apap put the Paolites ahead on 23 minutes and things got worse for Sirens when Gilberto Carrara was dismissed two minutes later.

 

But the St Paul’s Bay side still managed to equalise eight minutes with a Degran Jackson goal.

 

But the Paolites soon regained control and Giannis Bastianos scored what proved to be the winner on the stroke of half-time to push Sirens closer to relegation.

 

Sportsdesk – Valhmor Camilleri

 

A late first-half blitz handed Hibernians a 3-0 win over Gudja United as the latter’s relegation to the BOV Challenge League is now imminent.

 

The Paolites scored three goals between the 38th and the 40th minute through Alex Bruno and a Jurgen Degabriele brace to register their eighth win of the season.

 

Branko Nisevic’s side are in sixth on 29 points, one behind Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk who shared the spoils in Saturday’s direct encounter.

 

On the other hand, Gudja remain anchored at the bottom with six points to show for their efforts.

 

Renzo Kerr Cumbo’s team is only top-flight side without a single victory so far.

 

Sportsdesk – Gianluca Lia

 

Naxxar Lions distanced themselves from the relegation zone when they stunned Hibernians 2-0 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

 

After a goalless first half, the Lions took the lead on 51 minutes when Pablo squared the ball to Maicon who tapped the ball home.

 

The Paolites failed to fight back and Naxxar sealed the points when Pablo’s shot was somehow kept out by Kone but in came the Brazilian to nod home.

 

Sportsdesk – Valhmor Camilleri