Sliema ASC produced a dominant display to secure qualification for the European Aquatics Challenger Cup semi-finals after defeating Heybeliada ASC 25–11 in their second Final Eight clash in Istanbul.
The Maltese champions imposed their authority from the early stages, establishing control through an impressive first-half performance that effectively decided the contest. Their attacking efficiency, combined with a disciplined defensive structure, allowed Sliema to dictate the tempo throughout the encounter and gradually extend their advantage.
Jake Cachia led the scoring for the Blues with an outstanding five-goal performance, while experienced Serbian star Aleksandar Ivović and Jayden Cassar each contributed four goals. Sebastian Busuttil also played a key role in the victory, adding a hat-trick as Sliema showcased their depth and quality on the continental stage.
Sliema’s attacking cohesion and tactical discipline proved decisive against their Turkish opponents, with the Maltese side maintaining intensity across all four sessions to secure a comprehensive victory.
The result confirms Sliema’s qualification for the Challenger Cup semi-finals, representing another significant milestone in the club’s European campaign and underlining their ambitions to challenge for continental honours.
