Hamrun Spartans beat Zalgiris 11‐10 after a marathon 28‐ penalty shoot‐out to qualify for the second round of the UEFA Champions League (preliminary stages) where they will face Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine.

It was an emotional evening with the Spartans playing a blinder to deservedly go through. Starting with a two‐goal handicap from the match in Vil‐ vius, Hamrun went straight into attack completely dominating their opponents who never ven‐ tured forward.

Hamrun dictated matters creat‐ ing several scoring opportunities and after having a goal disal‐ lowed for offside, they de‐ servedly took the lead on 35 minutes when substitute Thioune headed home a Compri cross from the right.

Six minutes later, a packed Centenary stadium erupted when Joseph Mbong scored a beauty with a rocket from a distance.

In the second half, Hamrun eased the pressure but were still good enough to create several scoring opportunities, but failed to score that vital third goal.

The game went to extra time but with both teams tired out, the game lost much of its flair.

Zalgiris had Radenovic sent off for a second booking on 114 minutes but the Spartans failed to capitalise.

The game had to be decided on penalties and no decision was reached after 26 penalties with Hamrun missing two match points.

Then the decisive 14th round of penalties saw Ofori blasting over the bar and Cadjenovic hitting home, to send the Spartans deservedly into the second round.

Hamrun: Henry Bonello, Rafael Compri (E. Marcelina 99'), Joseph Mbong (N. Micallef 90'),

Vincenzo Polito, N'Dri Philippe Koffi (Jhonny 99'), Jovan Čadjenović, Eder (M. El Faris 90'), Ognjen Bjeličić, Domantas Šimkus (M. Garcia 79'), Merlin Hadzi (S. Thioune 22'), Ryan Ca‐ menzuli.

FK ?algiris: Carlos Olses, Luka Dumančič, Kassim Hadji (K. Lukasevic 107'), Ebenezer Ofori, Giedrius Matulevičius (D. Salci‐ novic 46'), Ovidijus Verbickas (Nemanja M. 67'), Vasilije Radenović, Joris Moutachy, Bruno Tavares, Yuri Kendysh, Liviu Antals

Referee: Matteo Marcenaro (Italy)