Christophe Dheur (BEL/Valletta SC) claimed the Open title after a thrilling 6-5 win over David González (ESP/Bormla SC) in a high-scoring final.
Dheur’s victory capped a strong run through the final rounds, with the Belgian surviving three close knockout matches on his way to the title.
In the quarter-finals, Dheur edged past Mark Gauci (MLT/Valletta SC) 4-3, before defeating Bessim Golger (BEL/Bormla SC) 2-1 in the semi-finals. He then completed the job in a dramatic final, overcoming González 6-5.
González also produced an impressive run to the decider. He started the knockout phase with a 4-1 barrage win over Christos Angelinas (GRE/Avenir Subbuteo Hennuyer), then beat Massimo Cremona (MLT/H’Attard SC) 3-2 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, González was too strong for Saverio Bari (ITA/F.Lli Bari Reggio Emilia), winning 4-1 to book his place in the final.
The other quarter-finals saw Golger beat Jason Pisani (MLT/Bormla SC) 2-1, while Bari defeated Samuel Bartolo (MLT/Valletta SC) 3-2.
Earlier, the barrage round set up the closing stages, with Gauci beating Jurgen Balzan (MLT/Valletta SC) 1-0, Bartolo defeating John Zammit (MLT/ST Stembert) 3-2 in sudden death, and Pisani edging Kurt Polidano (MLT/Valletta SC) 1-0.
But the Open event ultimately belonged to Dheur, who held his nerve through a demanding knockout draw before winning a memorable final against González.
Open podium: Dheur Gonzalez Golger Bari
Veterans Podium: Cremona Pisani Aquilina Zammit
In the U20 Robert Farrugia Randon overcame Jayden Bonnici 4-3 in another final goal fest.
Gabriel Ebejer took the U16 event, beating Martin Dheur 6-1.
After defeat in the Maltese league a few weeks ago followed by their cup victory, Valletta SC won the team final by the smallest margin in a match that was as exciting as it was tense.
