Malta Water polo coach Cirovic faced with 'boycott' issue

Montenegrin coach Milan Cirovic who is at the moment at the helm of the Malta Water polo National team has to face an unusual problem as Friday’s training session saw Sliema ASC and Neptunes players walk off the session in a sign of protest of boycott. The National team is currently preparing for the LEN European Aquatics Water polo Championships which will be played in January in Croatia.

Water polo insiders told this website that the incident was derived from the fact that the ASA has not yet taken any disciplinary action as yet following the alleged ‘bite’ of Malta and San Ġiljan ASC player Ben Plumpton in the Enemed Cup final between his team and Sliema.

Sources close to the ASA said that both Sliema ASC and Neptunes asked their National team players to report as usual to the National team training session but to ‘get out of the water’ should Plumpton turn up for the session. The Clubs pushing for this protest / boycott; Sliema and Neptunes are pressing on the ASA for immediate action and proceedings against Plumpton. More details in the coming days.

San Ġiljan win Enemed Cup for fourth time

In the meantime on Wednesday San Giljan JP Products confirmed their dominance in water polo, winning their eighth consecutive competition and the fourth Enemed Cup, which was being held for the seventh time. They won 16-10 against Sliema in this final.

San Giljan had Ben Plumpton in the line-up despite playing abroad, while Sliema had Jamie Gambin, Zach Mizzi and Jayden Cutajar all missing because all three are playing competitive water polo overseas. Plumpton’s inclusion on the San Ġiljan line up immediately raised some eyebrows amongts those present at the National Pool complex.

Sliema: N. Grixti, P. Tabone, L. Galea (7), D. Rizzo (2), J. Cassar, B. Cachia, T. Camilleri, S. Engerer, J. Brownrigg (1), J. Chircop, G. Gatt, D. Zammit, A. Theuma, J. Sciberras, T. Fenech

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, N. Bugelli (2), A. Galea (2), B. Plumpton, R. Caruana, M. Zammit (1), J. Bonavia (2), D. Tully (1), J. Abela (1), N. Zammit (2), D. Zammit (3), N. Schiavone (2), G. Borg, S. Cutajar, N. Bonavia

Referees: Massimo Angileri, Peter Balzan

Results and goal scorers of other games:

NEPTUNES VIDEOSLOTS…….. 8

VALLETTA IZIBET……………… 6

(1-0), (2-2), (3-1), (2-3)

Neptunes: M. Farrugia, L. Mallia, S. Gialanze (4), G. Pace (1), J. Valletta, D. Bugeja, M. Castillo (1), J. Camilleri (1), R. Galea (1), J. Bajada, A. Fenech, E. Mallia, M. Brimmer, R. Spiteri, M. Lanzon

Valletta: B. Busuttil, M. Mifsud (2), M. Naudi, J. Farrugia, S. Busuttil, M. Demarco (1), J. Saliba, K. Borg (2), A. Agius, J. Culic, K. Cremona (1), A. Bugeja

Referees: Ronnie Spiteri, Juana Cauchi

BIRŻEBBUĠA FREEPORT……….. 9

MARSASKALA ESC……………….. 10

(3-2), (1-5), (3-0), (2-3)

Birżebbuġa: S. Livori, S. Bezzina, N. Cassar (1), J. Cauchi, N. Fenech (2), C. Nureddeen, W. Mizzi, I. Galea, D. Farrugia (1), J. Abdilla, G. Mannino (4), M. Curmi (1), K. Manara, D. Incorvaja, M. Cassar

Marsaskala: A. Muscat, G. Bonavia, G. Galea, J. Pace Mizzi, M. Agius, E. Bilgrin, K. Navarro (2), M. Farrugia (1), K. Grech, G. Sammut (1), J. Ciantar (4), M. Carani (2), M. Borg, L. Montebello Brownrigg, J. Colombo

Referees: Peter Balzan, Richard Magri

SIRENS………………………………….. 13

EXILES……………………………………. 6

(2-1), (4-1), (2-1), (5-3)

Sirens: M. Bonello Dupuis, P. Serracino, K. Erdogan, T. Perici Ferrante, J. Zerafa Gregory (2), J. Cachia (3), M. Chircop, I. Riolo (1), K. Agius, G. Farrugia, M. Sciberras (1), M. Azzopardi (4), I. Schembri, M. Ortoleva (1), W. Ruggier

Exiles: M. Castillo, Z. Cutajar Licari, Z. Micallef, D. Pace Lupi, M. Martellacci, M. Paris Roding, M. Fenech, K. Griscti (3), L. Pursehouse, K. Tanti (1), M. Aquilina (1), N. Saliba (1), F. Buhagiar

Referees: Stefan Licari, Neville Mercieca

Final Classification: San Ġiljan 19, Sliema 18, Sirens 16, Neptunes 12, Valletta 9, Exiles 6, Marsaskala 3, Birżebbuġa 0.