Sliema Wanderers to play either Armenia’s FC Noah or Macedonia’s FK Shkendhiya

Sliema Wanderers will open their commitments in this season’s UEFA Conference League when they will face the winners of the first qualifying round tie between FC Noah, of Armenia, and Macedonian side FK Shkendija.

The Wanderers, who qualified for the Conference League after placing third in the Premier League, were promoted to the second qualifying round following Olympiakos triumph in last season’s final.

Paul Zammit’s charges face a tricky first match in the competition as both FC Noah, of Armenia, and FK Shkendija could prove to be dangerous opponents.

For the Armenian side this will be their third participation in Europe after figuring in the Europa League in 2020 and the Conference League the following year, with both adventures ending at the first qualifying round stage.

On the other hand, FK Shkendija enjoy a stronger European tradition as the Macedonian side have come close on several occasions to reach the group stages of a UEFA club competition, but fell at the last hurdle.

Floriana have been a much tougher tie in the UEFA Conference League should they overcome San Marino’s Tre Penne when they were drawn to face Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes in the second qualifying round.

The Greens, who qualified for the Conference League after finishing as runners-up in the Premier League, will start as favourites to progress when they take on San Marino side Tre Penne.

However, their task will become much tougher should they reach the second qualifying round with Vitoria awaiting them.

The Portuguese side have reached the group stages of the Europa League in 2020. However, last season they were knocked out of Europe after losing to NK Celje, of Slovenia, in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.

Marsaxlokk, on their part, were drawn to face Georgian side FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi in the second qualifying round should they manage to overcome FK Partizani, of Albania.

The Georgian side’s best result in Europe is reaching the third qualifying round of the Europa League in 2019 when they were eliminated by Ararat-Armenia.

Last season, FC Iberia 1999 were eliminated by Steaua Bucharest, of Romania, in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.

Matches will be played on July 25 and August 1.