There is no denying that modest Balzan did defy the odds in knocking out their more quoted opponents from Azerbaijan, FK Kesla (formerly Inter Baku) in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

A rather surprising but convincing 4-1 first leg win against the Azeris was enough to help them pass the second leg test in Baku last week. Still it was not easy as Kesla rallied to a 2-0 lead before Balzan struck the all-important goal in injury time through 20-year-old Serbian new signing Andrija Majdevac to see them through on a 5-3 aggregate score.

This goal put Balzan in the history books as it ensured qualification to the second qualifying round of the competition for the first time ever in the 80-year history of the club.

Balzan have now been pitted against former Czechoslovakia greats Slovan Bratislava.  The Slovakian club, formerly winners of the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1968-69 can boast a budget of 13 million Euros a year and are currently putting the finishing touches to a new 22,500 capacity, 70 million Euro stadium.

Slovan's objective will be that of reaching the Group stage of the competition just like they did in 2014-15.

Head coach Martin Sevela spoke about his team's chance of advancing further into the competition "Our main objective at this point is Balzan.  Of course, it is our great wish to qualify for the Group stage of the competition and go as far as we can, but it is premature at this stage to talk about this."

Asked about the hot climate, Sevela said that the hot climate conditions and the synthetic pitch will be there for both teams.  "Conditions will be there for both teams but of course it will be difficult for all the players.  Luckily at the moment conditions are very similar in Bratislava.  Players need to drink a lot during the match."

"There will be no excuses after the match.  We need to get a win here in Malta, though we know it will not be easy. Balzan are a very good solid outfit who knocked out Azerbaijan's Kesla in the first qualifying round so we know we have a competitive team in front of us," he added.

However, it could be that given the gallant spirit put up by the Maltese club's players over the two-legged affair against Kesla, another push from the Premier League runners-up for a fairy tale repeat could be in the pipeline.