Winners face lucrative fixtures against Turkish giants Fenerbahce

Local champions Birkirkara were yesterday drawn to face Torshavn of the Faroe Islands in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.

It was the first time that a Maltese club was seeded in a UEFA club competition and the favourable draw shows that it pays to be seeded, of course, if Birkirkara can handle the tie properly.

In fact, the winner of this clash is set to face a lucrative two-leg tie against Turkey’s Fenerbahce in the second qualifying round and that could provide a substantial windfall in TV rights.

This was confirmed by club chairman Victor Zammit yesterday. “If we can manage the whole affair in a proper way and qualify, we will go into the second round where Fenerbahce will be waiting for us, as well as a sum of about half a million dollars in TV rights.

“It is certainly a favourable draw, for a change. We have suffered a lot before. This time, however, I must say this is the best draw we have ever had. In reality, it is a golden opportunity which we cannot miss.

“I am confident that we can do it against Torshavn. I am not saying that we will certainly qualify, but I feel this draw gives us a much better chance than usual.” He said.

Zammit confirmed that the club is bringing over a number of foreigners for a trial with the club. Two Italians – a goalkeeper and a midfielder – had to arrive yesterday. The club boss said that, in all probability, they will be signing a Senegalese central defender, Pascal Mendy, who also has a French passport. He has played for Dinamo Moscow in the Russian Premier League, Bellinzona in the Swiss league as well as in the Serie B and Serie C in Italy. He is 27 years old.

Among the Italians coming over for a trial are former Milan No. 3 goalkeeper Marco Taddonio as well as a former Polish national team goalkeeper. There is also an Italian midfielder who was on Brescia’s books and also played for them in the Intertoto Cup a few years ago.

Birkirkara play at home on 11 or 12 July and travel to Faroe Islands to play the second leg a week later.

The draw

First qualifying round draw

KS Elbasani (ALB)-FK Ekranas (LTU); FC TVMK Tallinn (EST)-FH Hafnarfjördur (ISL); FHK Liepajas Metalurgs (LAT)-FK Aktobe (KAZ); Myllykosken Pallo-47 (FIN)-The New Saints FC (WAL); Cork City FC (IRL)-Apollon Limassol FC (CYP); FC Sioni Bolnisi (GEO) -FK Baku (AZE); Dudelange (LUX)-FK Rabotnicki (MKD); FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk (BLS)-NK Široki Brijeg (BIH); Birkirkara FC (MLT)-B36 Tórshavn (FAR); Linfield FC (NIR)-NK Gorica (SLO); FC Pyunik (ARM) -FC Sheriff (MOL).

UEFA Cup

Sliema and Hibernians drawn against Romanian giants

Sliema and Hibernians were both drawn against Romanian opponents Rapid Bucharest and Dinamo Bucharest – two of the capital city’s giants – in the first qualifying round of the competition.

Sliema were drawn to play Rapid Bucharest away in the first leg while Hibs play at home first against Dinamo Bucharest.

It is the first time for both teams that they will be playing in Romania.

Sliema president Robert Arrigo said: “Considering what we have been through in the past, it is a slightly better draw. In all the Blues’ travels in past years, we have never been to Romania.

“Yet, Rapid finished second in the Romanian league, just five points behind champions Steaua, also of Bucharest, and that alone shows how strong this side is. But we will do our best to figure honourably,” he said.

Arrigo confirmed that Sliema are still interested in the services of Etienne Barbara of Birkirkara. “If there is a possibility that he may become available, we will be there, but so far, I assure you there is nothing concrete,” he said, adding that in all probability, Sliema will not be further involved in the transfer market.

Tony Bezzina, Hibs president, was also of the opinion that their opponents, Dinamo, are a prestigious side which has to be given all due respect.

He said: “They are definitely a strong side. We know our limitations and I think it will be a difficult tie for us. Their football comes from a different school.”

Bezzina also confirmed that Hibs will not be very active on the transfer market. “We will again be putting our faith in our youngsters. Andrew Cohen’s signature will probably be our main ‘capture’ this summer.,” he said.

The UEFA Cup first round first legs are to be played on 13 July and the return legs on 27 July.

The draw

(First leg July 13; second leg July 27)

KF Tirana (Albania)-Varteks (Croatia); Dinamo Tirana (Albania)-CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria); Koper (Slovenia)-Litex Lovech (Bulgaria); Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovian)-Ranger’s (Andorra); Domzale (Slovenia)-Orasje (Bosnia-Herzegovina); Hibernians (Malta)-Dinamo 1948 Bucharest (Romania); APOEL (Cyprus)-Murata (San Marino); Rijeka (Croatia)-Omonia (Cyprus); Lokomotiv Sofia (Bulgaria)-Makedonija Skopje (Macedonia); Vardar (Macedonia)-Roeselare (Belgium); Rapid Bucharest (Romania)-Sliema Wanderers (Malta); Ujpesti (Hungary)-FC Vaduz (Liechtenstein); Zimbru Chisinau (Moldova)-Karabakh (Azerbaijan); Mika (Armenia)-Young Boys (Switzerland); Fehervar (Hungary)-Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan); Zaglebie Lubin (Poland)-Dinamo Minsk (Belarus); Spartak Trnava (Slovakia)-Karvan Evlakh (Azerbaijan); Ameri Tbilisi (Georgia)-Banants (Armenia); BATE Borisov (Belarus)-Nistru Otaci (Moldova); Basel (Switzerland)-Tobol Kostanay (Kazakhstan); WIT Georgia (Georgia)-Artmedia (Slovakia); HJK Helsinki (Finland)-Drogheda United (Ireland); Brondby IF (Denmark)-Valur Reykjavík (Iceland); Gefle (Sweden)-Llanelli (Wales); Jeunesse Esch (Luxembourg)-Skonto (Latvia); Etzella Ettelbrück (Luxembourg)-Atvidabergs (Sweden); Ventspils (Latvia)-Gota (Faeroe Islands); Glentoran (Northern Ireland)-SK Brann (Norway); Randers (Denmark)-Akranes (Iceland); Portadown (Northern Ireland)-Kaunas (Lithuania); Rhyl (Wales)-Suduva (Lithuania); Levadia Tallinn (Estonia)-Haka (Finland); Skala Irottarfelag (Faeroe Islands)-Start (Norway); Lyn Oslo (Norway)-Flora (Estonia); IFK Göteborg (Sweden)-Derry City (Ireland)