Update: Ħamrun face NSI Runavik, Marsaxlokk drawn against Pyunik as Valletta meet Rakow

Ħamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk were handed tricky ties in the UEFA Conference League when they were drawn to face KSI Runavik, of Faroe Islands, and Armenia’s FC Pyunik, respectively.

The Spartans, who qualified for the UEFA Conference League after placing third in the Malta Premier League, are looking to emulate last year’s feat of reaching the League Phase of the UEFA club competition.

Ħamrun were boosted by the fact that they were one of the seeded sides in their group and they were drawn to face the Faroes’ side NSI Runavik, with the first match likely to be held in the Nordic country.

Runavik are midway through their league season and are currently enjoying a very strong campaign as they are currently sharing top spot with Klaksvik on 29 points after 13 matches.

However, Runavik do not boast a strong record in Europe as in their last two participations in the competition, they failed to move past the first qualifying round.

In 2021, they were knocked out by Finnish side Honka 3-1 on aggregate while last summer, Runavik were ousted by another team from Finland, HJK, who came back from a 4-0 first-leg defeat to win the return leg 5-0 after extra-time and proceed 5-4 on aggregate.

If the Spartans progress past NSÍ Runavík, they will face Slovenian side FC Koper in the second qualifying round.

Marsaxlokk have a long trip awaiting them when they head to the former Russian Republic of Armenia to face Pyunik.

Pyunik are the most successful team in the country and became the first Armenian team to reach the group stages of a UEFA club competition when they reached the League Phase of the Conference League in 2022.

In 2024, they reached the Play-off Round of the Conference League but were knocked out by Slovenian side Celje, while last season they bowed out in the second qualifying round, when they were beaten by Hungary’s Gyori ETO.

Marsaxlokk have been paired with Hungarian side Debreceni should they advance from their opening-round tie.

Meanwhile, should Floriana fail to overcome Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, they would drop into the UEFA Conference League Champions Path, where they would face either Kauno Žalgiris of Lithuania or Drita of Kosovo in the second qualifying round.

Poland duties for the Citizens

Valletta, FA Trophy winners, will enter the competition in the second qualifying round where they have been handed a difficult assignment against Polish side Raków Częstochowa.

Raków are among Poland’s strongest clubs and were crowned Ekstraklasa champions in 2023. They have become regular contenders in European competition in recent years.

The Maltese side will play the first leg away from home, with the ties scheduled for July 23 and 30.