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Luxol crowned futsal champions after winning play-off series

Published: 06-04-2019 13:20
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Luxol were crowned futsal champions after winning the third consecutive match in their best-of-five elite play-off series against Valletta on Friday.  Buoyed by a 2-0 lead after prevailing in the opening two matches, Luxol completed their mission, beating Valletta 8-4 in a thrilling encounter at the Corradino Sports Pavilion. Captain Mark Zammit fired Luxol into a 2-0 lead inside the opening eight minutes. Nicola Del Re added two more goals, netting the second 47 seconds before half-time with Valletta’s Gia Nikvashvili having reduced the arrears from a penalty. In the early minutes of the second half, Luxol’s Celino Alves was denied by the post but moments later, Leanderson hit the target to put his team 5-1 up. Valletta ventured forward in an attempt to claw back the deficit. Their reaction saw them narrow the gap to 5-4 thanks to Shawn Vella’s brace and another goal by Nikvashvili. The tie was now finely-poised with both teams having a player sent off for a second yellow card… Nikvashvili, of Valletta, and Luxol’s Maicon Silva. Luxol secured their win and the championship when Del Re got his third goal while Leanderson and Emil Andrei Raducu rubberstamped their success in the closing stages. Thirty seconds from time, Valletta’s Shawn Vella was sent off for a second booking. At the end of the match, Luxol’s title celebrations reached a climax when captain Mark Zammit held aloft the championship trophy. Thanks to this success, Luxol will represent Malta in next season’s UEFA Futsal Champions League. Also this week, the University of Malta Futsal Team secured their place in the Elite Division for the coming season after beating Swieqi United U21 3-0. NEXT FIXTURESMonday – Corradino Sport Pavilion (20.15) Promotion Play-OffTarxien Rainbows vs Pietà Hotspurs Thursday – Corradino Sport Pavilion (20.15) Knock-Out FinalValletta vs Luxol