Adelaide City are chasing the perfect 80th anniversary. A familiar face stands in their way

Adelaide City and WT Birkalla will meet for the NPL SA Championship after the competition’s top two sides survived the semi-finals.

Premiers City powered into Friday night’s Grand Final with an emphatic 8-1 aggregate victory over Playford City, following up a 2-1 first-leg win with a 6-0 demolition in the return fixture.

Asad Kasumovic led the way with a double for Adelaide City.

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It keeps alive the prospect of a special finish to City’s 80th anniversary year. Having already secured the Premiership on the final day of the regular season, the Black and Whites are chasing their first Premiership-Championship double since 2022.

Birkalla booked their place with a 4-2 aggregate victory over reigning 2025 Premiers MetroStars, breaking open the tie with a 2-0 second-leg win after the sides drew 2-2 in the opener.

Golden Boot winner George Blackwood was the on scoresheet for Birkalla.

There is another layer to the upcoming decider, too.

Birkalla coach Stav Gelekis was part of Adelaide City’s coaching staff during their 2021 Championship triumph. Five years later, he will attempt to deny his former club another piece of silverware.

Just three points separated City and Birkalla across the regular season. On Friday night at ServiceFM Stadium, one final trophy will separate them.