Wanderers hold Šibenik in goalless draw

Sliema Wanderers held Croatian side HNK Šibenik in a goalless draw in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round on Thursday at the SC Hrvatskih vitezova in Dugopolje.

This result could definitely be considered as a most positive result for the Wanderers ahead of the return leg which will be played at the Centenary Stadium next Thursday, kick-off at 17:30.

The Blues had a number of attempts at goal, going close twice through Ivan Woods and then through Emiliano Lattes during the first half and once again through Lattes after the break. The hosts had several scoring opportunities but the Sliema rear-guard led by goalkeeper Viktor Szentpéteri managed to keep them at bay.

The winner of the clash between Sliema and Šibenik will be facing the winner of the two-legged tie between Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus and FC Banants of Armenia in the second qualifying round. Matches which will be played on July 15 and 22. Sliema or Šibenik would host the first leg.

SIBENIK Goran Blazevic, Tarik Ceri?, Luka Gusic, Mehmed Alispahic, Zeni Husmani, Stipe Bacelic-Grgic (63′ Ivan Elez), Antonio Jakoliš, Ivan Medvid, Ivan Fustar, Hrvoje Spahija, Sandro Bloudek (63′ Ivan Bozic).
SLIEMA Viktor Szentpéteri, André Portulez, Ian Azzopardi, Beppe Muscat, Sekou Tidiane Souare, Mark Scerri, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (92′ Noel Turner), Emiliano Lattes, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ivan Woods, John Mintoff (57′ Clayton Failla).
Referee: Markus Strömbergsson (SWE)
Assistant referees: Magnus Sjöblom (SWE), Daniel Wärnmark (SWE)
Fourth official: Johan Hamlin (SWE)