Birkirkara, Hibernians chase first honour
by Ayrton Galea - 6th August 2013
With the start of the 2013-2014 BOV Premier League looming large, Champions Birkirkara and U*BET FA Trophy winners Hibernians will be seeking to add a psychological boost when they face off in the Super Cup.
Following a league title battled till the very end, Wednesday's match for the first domestic honour of the season will rekindle the rivalry of both sets supporters. The Stripes will be seeking their sixth Super Cup, while for Hibernians it would be their third one.
Birkirkara booked their place in this competition by winning their fourth Premier League in their history. They overcame the challenge of the same Hibernians for the Premier League title, following a title-decider match which the Stripes won with a score of 3-1.
On the other hand, Hibernians earned the right to contest this competition by clinching the U*BET FA Trophy, by beating Qormi in a balanced final with a 3-1 score.
This will be the first competitive match of the season, following the European commitments. Birkirkara were eliminated with a 0-2 aggregate loss to Slovenian giants, NK Maribor from the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Hibernians went down to Serbia's FK Vojvodina with a 7-3 aggregate score in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
With both teams going in their second month since they returned to training, the two coaches will have the opportunity to see their team's fitness level ahead of the next Premier League campaign which will start in two weeks time.
If the score in today's Super Cup match is even at the end of the regular 90 minutes, extra-time will be played. If the stalemate persists at the end of the additional 30 minutes, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner.
Following the amnesty for suspended players given by the Malta Football Association, Edward Herrera is available for selection.
The match will be played at the National Stadium and it is scheduled to kick off at 20:00. Transport to the stadium will leave from Valley Road at 19:00.
Come on the Stripes!
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