The Paola stadium was one loud roar on Tuesday night as Hibernians beat Maccabi Tel Aviv to earn themselves at least €300,000.

If they beat them in the away game next Tuesday, they will pocket the same amount again and move on to the second qualifying round of the Champions’ League.

But this was not a one-off for Maltese clubs this month: last week Birkirkara pushed the Armenian team Ulisses FC out of the Europa League.

Were these good results a fluke? Or is it a sign that Maltese football is finally coming into its own?

“I was present for the Hibs game and I was pleasantly surprised. Maccabi were superior in the first half, but in the second half Hibs played their hearts out and scored two beautiful goals,” said Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, former Hibs coach.

We do not lack talent – we need better physical preparation

Maltese teams, he said, can technically match any opposition. “We do not lack talent – we need better physical preparation,” he said.

The Malta Football Association believes that the results could be a reflection of the radical changes that Maltese football has been undergoing since 2010.

“Football is not measured on one game,” said MFA general secretary Bjorn Vassallo. Players and clubs are now more in line with the requirements of UEFA, as training compensation and training camps have been changed.

Moreover, clubs have started investing long term to make it to European championships, where the prize money is high.

Birkirkara received €400,000 for winning two games against Ulisses FC. In the second qualifying round, against UK’s Westham United, they will get €300,000 for a win. If they make it to the third qualifying round and then get into the group stage, they could pocket €2.4 million.

Hibernians would pocket €12 million if they manage to score their way to the Champions League Group Stage.

Mr Vassallo strongly believes that the results are not a fluke. “We are now working hard to export players abroad, where they can work as professionals,” he said, adding that three young players were signed this week.

Former Malta coach Pippo Psaila said it was “very promising” for Maltese football that the Under-21 team was routinely putting up very good shows. Since they first started taking part in European championships in 1962, Maltese club teams have never made it beyond the second qualifying round – and that was only seven times in half a century.

According to the Times of Malta sports desk, the Tel Aviv team was the toughest that any Maltese team have had to play against – apart from when Hibs played Manchester United in 1968 and drew 0-0 at home.

“That was a great feat for us and the 25,000 in the ground. What great memories!” said Fr Hillary, who was the Hibs coach at the time.

But what about next Tuesday? What are we to expect in the second leg?

Hibs coach Branko Nisevic is expecting a tougher game. “Maccabi will be fired up to beat Hibs in front of their fans.”