Photo Credit: Hamrun Spartans Facebook
Ħamrun Spartans are on a mission to turn their recent heartbreak into a historic triumph. Coach Giacomo Modica has a clear message for his squad: channel the anger from last week’s painful defeat into the grit and determination needed to overcome Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight at the Topola Stadium in Serbia.
Last week’s first-leg clash at the Tony Bezzina Stadium was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Malta champions. With less than 20 minutes remaining, N’Dri Koffi’s cool penalty put them ahead, seemingly on the path to a memorable 1-0 victory. However, a late collapse saw the Israeli side snatch a crucial 2-1 win with goals from Roy Revivo and Elad Madmon, tilting the tie in their favor.
That result has put Maccabi in the driving seat to advance to the Play-Off round, where they would face Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev. Dynamo Kiev were recently knocked out of the Champions League by Cypriot club FC Pafos.
But for the Spartans, the stakes are even higher. A victory would not only be a remarkable comeback but would also secure their place in the League Phase of a UEFA club competition, a first for any Maltese team. Even if they are eliminated from the Europa League by Maccabi, they will still drop into the Conference League League Phase, a monumental achievement for the club and Maltese football as a whole.
The team knows that history is within their grasp. Tonight’s match isn’t just about winning; it’s about seizing a legacy.
