Given the appalling record of Maltese clubs in European competitions, Valletta could be forgiven for treating their two-legged encounter with Iceland's Keflavik with a bit of apprehension but their coach Ton Caanen is urging his team to think positive.
With Valletta playing the first leg of their Europa League first qualifying round tie against Keflavik at the Centenary Stadium today (kick-off 5.30), the outspoken Caanen knows that a positive result at home is crucial.
"What I don't like is that no-one seems to believe that a Maltese team can reach the second round of a European competition," he said.
"I want to persuade our players that we have a chance to advance and we have to fight for it. The first match in European ties is very important and to stay in contention for qualification, we must get a good result here."
Apart from Cleaven Frendo, who is recuperating from a cruciate operation, all the players in the Valletta squad are in good health.
Caanen is expected to include Geert den Ouden in his starting formation after the tall Dutch forward made a cameo appearance in Valletta's Euro Cup game against Sliema Wanderers last Friday.
Jordi Cruyff, who missed the 2-0 defeat to the Wanderers, is also expected to be restored to Valletta's starting XI today. The Dutch midfielder was unavailable for Friday's match after travelling to Wales to attend the wedding of long-time friend Roberto Martinez who was recently appointed manager of Premier League club Wigan Athletic.
Despite his cautious optimism about Valletta's chances of setting up a second round clash with St Patrick's, Caanen is aware that Keflavik are no easy opponents.
The Dutch coach had the opportunity to run the rule over Keflavik after watching their league game against Throttur last Thursday. Keflavik won 3-2.
"Keflavik have already played nine games in the Iceland championship," Caanen said.
"They are fourth in the league and that shows that they are a good team.
"We must be well-prepared and fully focused. In football, there's always a chance of getting a good result and this is how we're going to approach this game."
Maltese participation in this season's UEFA competitions started on a negative note on Tuesday as champions Hibs, who won the pre-season Euro Cup, went down 2-0 to Montenegro's FK Mogren in the home leg.
While reiterating his wish for the level of Maltese football to improve, Caanen suggested that Hibs might have gained a better result if key players like Rumen Galabov and Terrence Scerri were not injured.
"Hibs had some important players missing on Tuesday," Caanen said.
"The Euro Cup is meant to help us prepare for UEFA commitments but for a team to have key players suffering an injury during this tournament is unbelievable."
Last season, Valletta bowed out of the Champions League in the first qualifying round after a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Slovakia's Artmedia.
Stripes in Croatia
Birkirkara arrived in Koprivnica yesterday afternoon ahead of their first leg against Croatian team Slaven Belupo this evening (kick-off 7).
Coach Paul Zammit has only taken 15 players to Croatia, including new signing Sylvano Comvalius. Yesterday, the squad trained at the Gradski Stadium, the venue of today's match.
Last season, Slaven Belupo beat Marsaxlokk 8-0 on aggregate in the first round of the UEFA Cup. In the same competition, Birkirkara lost 7-0 to H. Split, also from Croatia.
Sliema, Malta's other representatives in the Europa League, face Israel's Maccabi Netanya in the second qualifying round later this month.
Today's first legs
Sutjeska vs MTZ Minsk; Lahti vs D. Tirana; Grevenmacher vs FK Vetra; Runavik v Rosenborg; Haladas vs Irtysh Pavlodar; Sligo Rovers vs Vllaznia; O. Rustavi vs B36 Torshavn; A. Famagusta vs UN Kaerjeng; Slaven Koprivnica vs Birkirkara; Z. Chisinau vs Okzheptes Kokshetau; L. Distillery vs FC Zestafoni; Helsingborgs vs FC Mika; Valletta vs Keflavik; Dinaburg vs JK Nomme Kalju; B. Podgorica vs P. Warsaw; JK Trans Narva vs R. Velenje; Motherwell vs Llanelli; Banants vs Siroki Brijeg; S. Trnava vs FC Inter Baku; D. Minsk vs FK Renova; Randers FC vs Linfield; Simurq vs B. Yehuda Tel-Aviv; F. Reykjavik vs TNS.
Second legs - July 9.