The draw for the UEFA Cup where Malta’s two teams, Birkirkara and Hibernians, were paired with Cypriot clubs, is a first for all clubs involved except Omonia Nicosia, who will be playing against Maltese opposition for the third time. Their previous encounters were against Rabat and Sliema.

The four clubs involved will probably be making use of the national airline AirMalta by means of a four-way system involving all clubs. Hibernians will fly out to Nicosia and the Apoel team will fly to Malta on the same plane. When Birkirkara fly out to Nicosia for the second leg, Omonia will come to Malta for the second leg of their tie with Hibernians.

It seems that the clubs from the two Island states of the Mediterranean have pooled their recourses to get the best out of the draw.

Birkirkara FC announced on their website that they already have had a strong response from their supporters who want to travel with the team to Cyprus for the second leg.