Maltese pair aim to oust Marsaxlokk

Their European aspirations over for another year, Maltese sides are focusing on the new Premier League season with Valletta FC and Sliema Wanderers FC preparing to test Marsaxlokk FC's grip on the title.

'New challenge'
Paul Zammit has been fêted since taking over as Valletta coach in November 2005. Young and with fresh ideas, the 37-year-old has been heralded for his success in moulding youth and experience at the club but he has not yet claimed the silverware the 18-time Maltese champions demand. Valletta finished third last term and reached the Malta Cup semi-finals though Zammit is optimistic of further progress, saying: "I am really looking forward to this new challenge. The club have made important signings and now we have to plan for the future."

Monesterolo coup
Those signings include Josef Mifsud, German midfielder Heiner Backhaus, Andrew Hogg, Bryan Agius, and Maltese international Kenneth Scicluna who has joined from Birkirkara FC. Crowd favourite Stefan Giglio has returned from Sliema although his arrival and that of Victor Scriha from champions Marsaxlokk have been eclipsed by the acquisition of Sebastián Monesterolo. The Argentinian striker scored 27 goals in 25 Premier League matches for the club before moving to Al-Kuwait SC midway through last season.

European woe
Such transfer activity has prompted a reaction from Valletta's domestic rivals, particularly from Sliema and their new coach Ray Farrugia. Maltese internationals Etienne Barbara and Roderick Bajada have been brought in from Birkirkara, with Matthew Bartolo, Ian Azzopardi and Sharlon Pace also being recruited, yet the newcomers could not prevent a 7-0 aggregate defeat by PFC Litex Lovech in the UEFA Cup first qualifying round. Malta Cup holders Hibernians FC fared little better, going down 7-1 against FK Vojvodina while in the UEFA Champions League Marsaxlokk were dispatched 9-1 by FK Sarajevo.

Marsaxlokk misery
It completed a miserable summer for the champions, who are still reeling from the loss of three key players. Justin Haber, Luke Dimech and Andre Schembri have all departed while leading striker Daniel Bogdanovic's trial with Italian side Foggia Calcio was only cut short by injury. Coach Brian Talbot has responded by acquiring Brazilian trio Wendell Gomes, Renato Conceição and André but Marsaxlokk could have their work cut out against Valletta and Sliema when the campaign gets under way.