Ħamrun Spartans, Marsaxlokk to discover UEFA Conference League opponents

Ħamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk will discover their opponents in this season’s UEFA Conference League qualifiers when the draw of the UEFA competition will be held this afternoon in Nyon, Switzerland.

The Spartans are looking forward to this year’s competition as they are looking to reach the League Phase of the European competition for the second successive season.

But their road is far tougher than last season, as this time they must go through all the qualifying rounds, while last year their cause was aided by reaching the second qualifying round of the Champions League when knocking out Lithuanian side FK Zalgiris.

To aid their cause,  Ħamrun Spartans are one of the seeded sides in Group 5.

The Spartans can go up against Gibraltar side Europa FC, Kosovo’s FC Malisheva, Luxembourg side FC UNA Strassen, Welsh side Penybont FC, NSI Runavik, of the Faroe Islands, and Nomme Kalju, of Estonia.

No doubt, the Maltese side will be hoping to pick one of their opponents from Gibraltar, Luxembourg, and Wales as it would give them a better opportunity to progress.

Marsaxlokk, who qualified for the competition after placing second in the Malta Premier League last season, have a far tougher scenario ahead of them

The Southseasiders, who are back in Europe after an absence of one season, are pitted in Group 3 and are unseeded.

Marsaxlokk have some challenging opponents ahead of them that include, Kazakhstan’s Astana, Pyunik of Armenia, Belarus side Dinamo Minsk, Georgia’s Dila Gori, and Athletic Club d’Escaldes, of Andorra.

The UEFA Conference League first qualifying draw will be held at 6pm on Tuesday.