Ħamrun Spartans, Gżira United discover potential opponents in Conference League Play Off round

The draws of the UEFA Conference League Play Off round were held on Monday, with Ħamrun Spartans and Gżira United among the teams in the pot at the European governing body headquarters in Switzerland.

Ħamrun Spartans and Gżira United are the two remaining Maltese teams in the competition’s qualifiers this season.

The Spartans will be in action on Thursday when they face Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the third qualifying round, with the first leg scheduled at the National Stadium.

On the other hand, Gżira United will head to Eastern Europe when they face Czech Republic side Viktoria Plzen.

During Monday’s draw, the Spartans were handed a tie against the loser of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie between Lithuanian side FK Zalgiris Vilnius and BK Hacken, of Sweden should they overcome the challenge of Ferencvaros.

This is because according to UEFA competitions rules, teams who reached the second qualifying round of the Champions League, will drop to the Europa League should they lose their tie and then move down to the Conference League should they lose their third qualifying round tie.

FK Zalgiris were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Turkish giants Galatasaray in the second qualifying round and have been drawn to face FC Hacken, of Sweden, who were knocked out from UEFA’s elite competition by Faroe Islands side Klasvikar.

On the other hand, Gżira United were handed a potential Play Off round tie against the winner of the tie between FC Tobol, of Kazakhstan, or Derry City, of Ireland.

FC Tobol reached the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League when they beat Finnish side Honka and then stunned Swiss giants Basel in the second qualifying round.

On the other hand, Derry City knocked out HB Torshavn, of the Faroe Islands, and then overcome FC KuPS, of Finland.

Both the Spartans and the Maroons will play the first leg away from home, with the return leg at the National Stadium.

The Play Off round matches will be played on August 24 and 31.