Should Ħamrun Spartans overcome Lithuanian side FK Žalgiris in the first qualifying round, the Maltese champions will go on to face Ukrainian giants FC Dynamo Kyiv in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. The draw was held on Wednesday afternoon at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
The second qualifying round fixtures are scheduled for the 22nd/23rd and 29th/30th of July 2025. Ħamrun or Žalgiris will host the first leg, before travelling away for the decisive return match.
Dynamo Kyiv, one of Ukraine’s most successful clubs, recently bolstered its squad with the signing of Colombian forward Angel Torres, formerly of Maltese side Balzan FC. The Ukrainian outfit boasts a rich history in European football, having won 17 Ukrainian Premier League titles and 13 Ukrainian Cups. Before Ukraine’s independence, Dynamo were also dominant in Soviet football, securing 13 Soviet Top League championships and nine Soviet Cups.
On the continental stage, Dynamo Kyiv have twice won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, in 1975 and 1986, and also lifted the UEFA Super Cup in 1975.
Hamrun Spartans, who reached the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League in recent seasons, will be eager to make further strides in Europe, but must first navigate past a tricky Žalgiris side before dreaming of a prestigious tie against Dynamo Kyiv.
