San Giljan returned to winning form by capturing the BOV Water Polo Winter League title, ending their 2024-25 campaign on a high and retaining the last major title they had won the previous year.
After falling short in the key summer competitions of 2024, the Saints regrouped and mounted a consistent campaign through the winter, ultimately holding off Sliema, the winners of this year’s Enemed Cup, to clinch the title with a six-point advantage.
Going into the final match of the season with just a three-point cushion, San Giljan needed only a draw to seal the championship. In front of a lively crowd at the National Pool in Tal-Qroqq, they delivered under pressure in a thrilling showdown.
The match itself was a fitting finale to the league. San Giljan edged a narrow 6-5 lead by halftime, before stepping up their performance in the third quarter to take a 10-6 advantage. However, Sliema responded strongly in the closing stages, levelling the match at 11-11 with three minutes remaining.
Despite losing their captain Matthew Zammit late in the game, San Giljan managed to hold on for a 12-12 draw, a result that was enough to secure the title. The ensuing penalty shootout was largely academic, but the Saints triumphed 16-14, adding an extra layer of celebration to their title-winning night.
Ernest Agius, Chief Operations Officer at Bank of Valletta, together with Karl Izzo, President of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, presented the trophy to San Giljan in front of a passionate home support.
Water polo remains one of Malta’s most beloved sporting disciplines, combining the nation’s deep connection to the sea with a fiercely competitive spirit. Bank of Valletta, as the long-standing partner of the sport, reaffirmed its support for the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta and its commitment to nurturing local sporting excellence.
San Giljan now look ahead to the upcoming summer championships, buoyed by their winter success and the morale boost that comes with reclaiming silverware.
