Valletta will face champions from San Marino SP Tre Fiori in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.

The competitions’ draw for the new season 2011/2012 was made yesterday at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon.

Tre Fiori won seven San Marino championships and six time the national cup, making them one of the most successful clubs in the country.

This is Tre Fiori’s third participation in UEFA competitions after twice before failing to make it to the second round in 2009 (eliminated by Sant Julia of Andorra on penalties) and last season (against Rudar Pljevlja).

First reactions indicate that Valletta stand a good chance of advancing to the second round. However they have to exercise caution and concentration. If they go through, Valletta will meet FK Ekranes of Lithuania in the second qualifying round. Ekranes played against Floriana in the Champions Cup way back in 1993 and the Greens had qualified with identical 1-0 wins both home and away.

Valletta will play SP Tre Fiori away in the first leg on 28/29 June with the return leg at the Hibernians Stadium on 5/6 July.