Ħamrun Spartans Face Ukrainian Giants Dynamo Kyiv In Champions League Qualifier
Champions League Qualification – Second Round, First Leg
Tony Bezzina Stadium
Kick-off: 19:00, Tuesday 22 July
Fresh off a dramatic penalty shootout win over Zalgiris, Ħamrun Spartans are set for one of the biggest games in their club’s history as they host Dynamo Kyiv in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
The Spartans will be looking to ride the momentum from their epic second-leg comeback, where they overturned a 2–0 deficit in regulation time before winning 11–10 on penalties at Ta’ Qali, a shootout fans won’t forget anytime soon.
But it’s fair to say the challenge ahead is on another level.
Dynamo’s recent form & European record
Dynamo Kyiv, 17-time Ukrainian champions, are no strangers to Champions League football. They enter the tie fresh, having skipped the opening round thanks to their league title win. However, they’ve had a shaky pre-season, winning just one of six friendlies, including a draw against West Brom and a loss to Croatian side Osijek.
Despite this, they’ve got big names in their squad:
Andriy Yarmolenko, 35, still going strong and expected to start on the right wing
Vladyslav Vanat, last season’s Ukrainian league top scorer with 17 goals
Dynamo are hungry to make up for last season’s disappointing European run and return to the UCL group stage after missing out last year.
Ħamrun’s team news
Coach Giacomo Modica may be forced into a change after Merlin Hadzi was subbed off early in the second leg against Zalgiris, possibly due to injury. Expect Saliou Thioune to feature more prominently after his goal in that match.
This could be the Spartans’ likely starting XI:
Bonello; Compri, Bjelicic, Polito, Camenzuli; Mbong, Ćađenović, Šimkus, Ederson; Thioune; Koffi
Click HERE to claim your No Deposit Bonus!What the Odds Say (via Meridianbet.com)
Ħamrun Spartans win: 5.20
Draw: 4.30
Dynamo Kyiv win: 1.55
Odds may not directly reflect odds on website. 18+ | Play responsibly.
What to expect
Yes, Dynamo are favourites, but Ħamrun have shown they can dig deep. They’ve already made history reaching this round and now they face the challenge of taking it one step further.
Dynamo’s experience might give them the edge, but if Ħamrun can stay disciplined and take their chances, there could still be room for drama at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
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