Neptunes are champions of Malta once again after defeating rivals Sliema 18-15 to complete a 2-0 victory in the Summer League final series and secure a record-extending 28th league title.
The Reds completed the job on Wednesday evening with another commanding attacking performance, ending a five-year wait to return to the top of Maltese water polo.
After winning the opening final 18-15 at the weekend, Neptunes made another fast start in Game 2 and established control almost immediately.
Ivan Nagaev converted a penalty after only ten seconds before creating opportunities for Sam Gialanze and Jake Bajada as Neptunes raced into a 3-0 advantage.
Sliema responded through Jayden Cutajar, but Neptunes continued to find openings and finished the first quarter 7-4 ahead.
Nagaev remained at the heart of their attack throughout the second period. The Russian added another three goals as Neptunes increased their advantage to 11-7 by half-time, while goalkeeper Matthew Castillo produced a series of important saves at the other end.
Sliema needed a response after the interval, but Neptunes continued to control the contest.
Steve Camilleri converted from the penalty line before Marko Zuvela finished a one-on-one opportunity, with further goals from Jordan Camilleri and Julian Valletta helping the Reds move 15-10 ahead heading into the final period.
At that stage, Neptunes were firmly in control of both the game and the championship.
Gialanze made it 16-11 before Nagaev produced one of the goals of the night with a backhand finish. Camilleri then added his fourth of the game to stretch the lead to seven.
Sliema finished strongly, with Sam Engerer scoring three times during the closing stages, but the comeback came too late to threaten the Neptunes celebrations.
Nagaev led the champions with five goals, while Camilleri scored four. Gialanze and Zuvela added two each.
The victory completes an impressive domestic league campaign for Neptunes, who finished top of the standings before navigating their way through the play-offs.
Their route to the title included a dramatic 14-13 semi-final victory over San Giljan, only days after the same opponents had denied them in the Knock-Out Cup final.
Neptunes had also beaten San Giljan earlier in the summer to lift the President’s Cup, meaning the Reds finish the 2026 campaign with two of Malta’s major domestic honours.
But the league title will undoubtedly be the biggest prize.
Five years after their previous championship in 2021, Neptunes are back on top of Maltese water polo — champions for the 28th time.
Result
Sliema 15-18 Neptunes (4-7, 3-4, 3-4, 5-3)
Final series: Neptunes win 2-0
Read more about the Maltese Summer League
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