After Swieqi United lifted the Assikura Women’s League trophy for the first time just a few days ago, attention now shifts to the second major honour in the domestic women’s game – the Assikura Women’s Knockout.
First held in the 1995/96 season, the Knockout competition continues to serve as a prestigious finale to the campaign.
Defending champions Birkirkara return as holders after defeating Hibernians in last year’s final to complete a domestic treble.
This time, it’s Swieqi with their eyes on the treble, having already secured both the Super Cup and the league title.
Now, with momentum firmly on their side, they begin their knockout journey against a familiar foe – Hibernians – in a rematch of the 2023 final. That match marked Swieqi’s first ever major silverware in women’s football, and they’ll be hoping to repeat the feat.
Guided by coach Dorianne Theuma, the Owls have been dominant throughout the season, scoring 60 goals and conceding just 12 – the league’s best defensive record.
Hibernians, on the other hand, had a promising start to the season but dropped to fourth place in the second phase. Despite their inconsistency, the Paolites remain a dangerous side, especially in attack, where they scored 66 goals – the second highest in the league.
Another attractive quarter-final sees Birkirkara take on Mġarr United in what promises to be a tightly contested affair.
Mġarr had the upper hand in the league standings, securing second place on the final day of the season, despite being hit by injuries.
The Greens ended the campaign with 60 goals scored and 18 conceded – strong numbers that reflect their resilience.
Meanwhile, Birkirkara – no strangers to silverware – boasted the best attacking record in the league with an impressive 72 goals, and will be keen to bounce back from missing out on league honours.
The remaining two quarter-finals see the Bottom Four teams battle it out for a place in the semi-finals.
Section leaders San Ġwann will meet Valletta, who placed third in the same group. San Ġwann have been inspired by American forward Hailey Russell, whose 26-goal tally saw her finish as the league’s top scorer.
In the other tie, Lija Athletic face Mtarfa. Lija enjoyed a solid second season, collecting 23 points and showing clear signs of growth. For Mtarfa, the 2024/25 season has been tough, but they did manage to secure their first and only point in the final stages – a small but meaningful reward for their perseverance.
SEMI-FINALS (APRIL 26)
Hibernians/Swieqi United vs San Ġwann/Valletta
Birkirkara/Mġarr United vs Lija Athletic/Mtarfa
FINAL (May 1)
