When the draws for the semi-finals of the FA Trophy were made yesterday evening, champions Valletta were drawn to meet Birkirkara while in the other semi-final, Hamrun Spartans were drawn to face Floriana.

It is quite an interesting draw, even if local football followers were hoping that Valletta and Birkirkara – the two main contenders – be left apart. Moreover, this draw leaves a big question unanswered: who will be Malta’s UEFA Cup representatives next season if Valletta beat Birkirkara?

Valletta are already in the Champions League while neither Floriana nor Hamrun Spartans can enter a UEFA competition (not even the Intertoto Cup) next season for different reasons. The Spartans are without a licence and Floriana’s application was rejected by the MFA as it arrived one day late.

By yesterday, no one was in a position to state whether it will therefore be Birkirkara as losing semi-finalists, or the third placed club in the Premier League to go through to the UEFA Cup.

Valletta will be seeking a memorable double after their League win. They have won the Trophy 13 times in the past, the last being in season 2000-2001 when they had beaten the same Birkirkara in the final 3-0.

The Stripes will be seeking to reach their seventh final in nine seasons. Since season 1998-99, they only missed reaching the final twice. In six finals, they managed to lift the Trophy three times, losing twice to Valletta and on another occasion to Sliema in the process.

Floriana reached their last final two seasons ago when they lost to Hibernians in the final 1-0. But they have won the honour on no fewer than 25 times.

On their part, the Spartans have won the Trophy six times. Their last appearance in the final was in season 1994-95 when they lost 1-0 against Valletta.

The Floriana-Hamrun S. semi-final is to be played on Monday 19 May while the Birkirkara-Valletta clash is to be played on Tuesday 20 May. Both matches kick off at 7.30pm and will be played at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali.