Ħamrun Spartans will find out their next Europa League opponents on Wednesday evening, when Maccabi Tel Aviv take on Pafos FC in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round at 8pm at the TSC Arena in Serbia.
The loser of this tie will face Ħamrun in the Europa League 3rd Qualifying round next Thursday at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali, while the winner will go on to play Dynamo Kyiv in the next round of the Champions League.
The first leg in Cyprus ended 1-1, with Maccabi scoring a dramatic equaliser in the 100th minute to keep the tie level heading into the return match. The Israeli side will now look to make the most of home advantage at the TSC Arena, where they’ve only lost once since February. Led by coach Zarko Lazetic, Maccabi boast a strong squad including the likes of Dor Peretz, Osher Davida and Dor Turgeman.
Pafos, meanwhile, were left frustrated after conceding so late in the first leg, having taken the lead through Mons Bassouamina. The Cypriot team are unbeaten in four matches and have lost just once in their last ten, but they’ve struggled away from home recently, with no wins in their last four trips.
With a place in the next Champions League round, or a showdown with Ħamrun in the Europa League on the line, both sides are expected to give it everything in what should be a tightly contested match.
