Preview: Europa League Valletta vs FC Minsk 1st Leg Published on: 18-07-2013

Valletta will be aiming for a positive result this evening as they take on FC Minsk from Belarus, kick-off 19:30hrs at the National Stadium.

The Citizens’ dream is to become the first Maltese side to qualify for the third round of the UEFA Europa League.

Last week, Valletta eliminated SP La Fiorita of San Marino aggregate (4-0).

Last month the Citizens won the Euro Challenge Cup, they shared the spoils in the first match against Hibernians 1-1, won against Birkirkara 1-0 and also won the final match against Sliema W. 3-1.

Valletta have strengthened the squad by signing some new foreigners, Italian goalkeeper Pietro Marino, Gambian midfielder Hamza Barry and Austin Aboje. Last week they also included Spanish striker Arnal Condea and Brazilian striker Rômulo Marques in the squad.

FC Minsk Lusitans were founded in 2006 and was based on the Belarusian First League club Smena Minsk. FC Minsk took over Smena licence and was able to start from the First League avoiding the Second League. Last season they placed sixth in the Premier League with 36 points.

The players at the disposal of coach Mark Miller are:

Pietro MARINO, Yenz CINI, Roderick BRIFFA, Jonathan CARUANA, Jason VANDELANNOITE, Luke DIMECH, Yessous CAMILLERI, Ian AZZOPARDI, Edmond AGIUS, Ryan FENECH, Dyson FALZON, Denni DOS SANTOS, Ian ZAMMIT, Shaun BAJADA, Hamsa BARRY, Llywelyn CREMONA, Arnal CONDE, Romulo MARQUES and Austin ABOJE.

Defender Jonathan Caruana will be included in tonight’s match, the international defender skipped the second leg through injury. Kurt Magro is missing, he is still recovering from injury.


The referee for tonight’s match is Oliver Drachta from Austria.