Tickets sales for the Europa League qualifying round return leg between Birkirkara and West Ham next week have skyrocketed, according to the Malta Football Association communications officer Mark Attard.

Writing on Facebook, Mr Attard said that there has been “an explosion” in the sale of tickets for Thursday’s encounter, which he added could be a sell-out.

Birkirkara lost 0-1 with a last-gasp goal in Upton Park on Thursday.

The goal was scored by Tomkins after the Stripes had held the Londoners at bay with solid defending and good goalkeeping.

In spite of the defeat, the result has been welcomed by the football community as one of the best ever obtained by a Maltese club at international level.

Champions Hibernians have also made Malta proud by beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 in the first leg of the Champions League qualifying match. Their return match is in Israel on Tuesday.