Spartans will face Shamrock Rovers, Jagiellonia, Lincoln Red Imps, Samsunspor, and Lausanne
Ħamrun Spartans have learned their opponents for the inaugural league phase of the UEFA Conference League, following Friday’s draws in Monaco.
The Maltese champions, who made history by becoming the first local side to qualify for this stage of European competition, will face Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Shamrock Rovers (Republic of Ireland), Jagiellonia (Poland), Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar), Samsunspor (Turkey) and Lausanne (Switzerland).
The Spartans, placed in Pot 6, were drawn against one club from each of the other five pots.
Fixtures with confirmed times will be released by Sunday, but Ħamrun already know the sequence of games.
The Malta champions will play six matches between October and December, with three at home – against Shakhtar Donetsk, Lincoln Red Imps, and Samsunspor – and three away – at Shamrock Rovers, Jagiellonia, and Lausanne.
The dates set by UEFA are October 2, October 23, November 6, November 27, December 11, and December 18.
Ħamrun sealed their historic qualification with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against RFS in Riga on Thursday evening. The result ensured passage into the league phase, sparking celebrations both in Malta and among the travelling supporters.
During Friday’s draw ceremony, UEFA deputy secretary general Giorgio Marchetti lauded Ħamrun for their remarkable achievement, noting the significance of their presence at this stage.
Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA deputy secretary general, congratulating Ħamrun Spartans after their historic qualification during the UEFA Conference League draws.
The standout name in the Spartans’ group is Shakhtar Donetsk, the 2009 UEFA Cup winners. After being eliminated from the Europa League play-offs by Panathinaikos, the Ukrainian giants drop into Europe’s third-tier competition and will look to make a deep run.
Now coached by former Turkey international Arda Turan, Shakhtar remain true to tradition, boasting a competitive mix of Ukrainian internationals and Brazilian talent. Their pedigree will make them one of the toughest opponents ever to face a Maltese club in Europe.
From Pot 2, Ħamrun were paired with Shamrock Rovers, the 21-time champions of Ireland. The Dublin club have recent history with Maltese football, having eliminated Hibernians in the Champions League first qualifying round back in 2022.
Their squad is largely composed of Irish players, but much of the attention is on 16-year-old Victor Ozhianvuna. Regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in Irish football, the midfielder is on the verge of completing a record transfer to Arsenal, with The Athletic reporting that a deal – expected to exceed the £1.6 million Tottenham paid for Mason Melia – could be finalized this week.
From Pot 3 came Jagiellonia Białystok, crowned Polish champions in 2023-24. They are part of a record four Polish clubs competing in this Conference League campaign, underlining the growth of Polish football on the European stage.
The Pot 4 draw saw Ħamrun paired with a familiar rival – Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar. The two sides met last season in the Champions League qualifiers, with Lincoln knocking out the Spartans in a painful exit. This time, Ħamrun will host the Gibraltarian side in what is expected to be a highly competitive fixture and a chance for redemption.
From Pot 5, Ħamrun drew Samsunspor, who are competing in European football for only the fourth time and for the first time in the league phase of a UEFA competition. Coached by German Thomas Reis, he is assisted by former Premier League player Luis Boa Morte.
The final name drawn was Lausanne of Switzerland from Pot 6. They qualified after upsetting Turkish giants Besiktas in the play-offs – a result that cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job as head coach. Their presence ensures another difficult test for the Spartans.
Meanwhile, Ħamrun’s success has lifted Maltese football in the UEFA coefficient rankings. Malta now sits 41st with 8.500 points.
