Sliema Wanderers to start UEFA Conference League campaign in second qualifying round after Olympiakos triumph

Sliema Wanderers’ European aspirations have been significantly boosted following Olympiakos’ historic triumph in the UEFA Conference League final on Wednesday night.

Olympiakos became the first Greek side to win a European trophy when they beat Fiorentina 1-0, courtesy of a goal by Ayoub El Kaabi on 116 minutes to lift the UEFA Conference League trophy in Athens.

Prior to this final, Olympiakos were set to compete in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League after they finished third in the Greek Super League, behind champions PAOK and AEK Athens.

However, the Greek side’s success has inevitably earned them the right to play in the group stages of the Europa League, vacating their place in the UEFA Conference League.

Reports said on Wednesday night said that Olympiakos’ sport in the UEFA Conference League will now be passed onto the cup winners of Georgia and Malta.

That means that Iberia 1999 and Sliema Wanderers will be the two teams to be promoted from the first qualifying round to the second qualifying round.

Sliema Wanderers won the FA Trophy after they beat ‘Old Firm’ rivals Floriana following a penalty shoot-out earlier this month.

UEFA are expected to confirm Sliema’s accession to the second qualifying round of the Conference League when they issue a circular to announce the rebalancing of the access list following the end of the 2023-24 UEFA club competitions.

Should Sliema be promoted to the second qualifying round of the Conference League, it would be a major boost for the Blues’ hopes of making a strong run in the qualifying phase of the competition, on their return to European football after an absence of ten years.