Hibernians FC will be playing in the preliminary round group of the UEFA Futsal Cup later this month in Finland.
When the draw was made in Nyon last month, the Maltese champions were pitted in the same group as Hamburg Panthers (Germany), JB Futsal Gentofte (Denmark) and host team FS Ilves Tampere (Finland).
Hibernians, who have already started their pre-season, meet Hamburg in their opening group match on August 28. The Paolites face Tampere the next day and Gentofte on August 31.
There are a total of eight groups in this early phase of the com-petition with the winners pro-gressing to the Main Round where they will be joined by 20 other teams, including favourites Marca Futsal (Italy), Iberia Stars (Georgia) and Eindhoven (Holland).
In a statement, Hibs, who won the Maltese title after beating Balzan FC in the final, said they are training hard to produce a stiff challenge to all their opponents.
They have made some changes to their squad.
Branko Nisevic is no longer available after being appointed coach of Hibs’ senior football team in the BOV Premier League.
Hibs have strengthened the squad significantly though with the recruitment of new players, inclu-ding four Malta internationals.
Georgian coach Avandil Sanitiani is now in charge of the Hibs’ futsal team while they have retained the services of their three Bulgarian players (Boicho Marev, Blogivist Marev and Giorgio Gerasimov).
Hibs have also added two new foreigners to their list – Georgians Levan Kobidzhe and David Bobokhaidze.
“We are aware that we’re in a tough group but we have full confidence in our players and we know we can obtain satisfactory results in the Futsal Cup,” the Hibs statement said.
“This team is showing great pro-mise. However, we have to keep our feet grounded as we did last season when we succeeded in winning the national league.”
The Squad
Keepers: Christian Cassar, Brian Baldacchino, Cain Agius.
Players: Frank Ellul, Cedric Sciberras, Jesmond Micallef, Darren Agius, Melvin Borg, Boicho Marev, Georgi Gerasimov, Levan Kobeidze, Kurt Bartolo, Daniel Brincat, Xavier Saliba, David Bobokhidze, Blogovist Marev.
Coaches: Avandil Sanitiani, John Mizzi (assistant).