Malta will be hosting Georgia today at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali, in an Under-21 European Championship 2007 play-off, the first of a tie played over two legs. The 'away' match will be played in Georgia on 26 April.

After the format of the competition was changed last year, the lowest-ranked 16 nations, based on the last competition, were paired into eight matches, with Malta being drawn against Georgia who had placed fifth in Group Two with 11 points out of 12 matches.

The winners of this play-off will qualify to play in Group 3 together with Serbia & Montenegro and Lithuania, with each team playing one match at home and the other away.

This is one of 14 three-team groups, the winners of which will progress to play-offs to decide the seven teams to join host country, the Netherlands, in the final tournament.

All these changes to the Championship format have meant that Malta will play fewer matches than in previous editions of these championships, unless they qualify for the subsequent stages of the competition.

National U-21 coach Mark Miller, who helped Malta obtain the highest points' tally - five - in the group matches of the previous Championships, is aware of this shortfall in the number of competitive matches and the attendant disadvantages.

Miller is not expected to announce his formation until a few hours before the kick off. This is because of a number of factors, among them some slight injuries which some players picked up during the past weekend matches.

Among the players still doubtful are Alex Muscat of Sliema, David Camenzuli of Pieta and Clayton Failla of Hibernians, while Andrei Agius only arrived from Messina to join the squad yesterday.

Miller will have to generate motivation among his players so that they can perform to the good levels the team was tuned to when they had a full programme of matches.

Solid support from the public will certainly go some way towards helping to boost our players' competitive edge and hence their motivation.

Malta's cadets deserve this backing against Georgia. Progress to the next stage of the competition is not beyond their reach if they can muster a good mental and technical condition.

The match is being played at the Ta' Qali national stadium and kicks off at 6pm.

Tickets at Lm1.50 are available at the Stadium gates.

Women and children will be admitted free.