The 2024/25 season kicks off today for Hamrun Spartans Football Club, the Maltese champions, as they compete in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League against Lincoln Red Imps from Gibraltar.
This home match marks the official debut of Alessandro Zinnari, the new Italian coach of Hamrun Spartans. The team is poised to advance beyond this initial round, which would be a notable achievement. Securing a victory here would ensure their place in the play-offs for the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League, providing a safety net even if they do not progress further in the Champions League.
Two seasons ago, Hamrun Spartans were on the verge of this success. To date, no Maltese club that has won the Premier Championship in the prior season has managed to get past the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League since the inception of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
