The journey which should have taken Hamrun Spartans to the Faroe Islands to face NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round at the við Djúpumýru in Klaksvik on Thursday, kick-off at 20:45, has not been completed yet with less than twenty four hours to go.
The Spartans were due to travel to the Faroe Islands on Tuesday evening but the flight was delayed till Wednesday morning due to fog. The flight eventually left the Malta International Airport on Wednesday morning but once again, fog led the pilot on Flight C3310 to divert the flight to Bergen in Norway.
The aeroplane landed in Bergen early in the afternoon and after having to stay for a couple of hours on the plane, the Hamrun squad was allowed to leave the plane with the club having to do makeshift arrangements with regards to accommodation in Norway.
Hamrun Spartans are hoping to be able to travel to Vagar Airport on Thursday morning although it remains to be seen whether the match will be played as originally scheduled. Since the flight would take around one hour and forty minutes and the journey between Vagar Airport and the town of Klaksvik takes another hour and fifteen minutes.
This first leg against NSI Runavik is set to be the first official appearance for the Spartans following a bitter sweet campaign last season as they failed to lift any silverware despite landing a historic spot in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.
Hamrun made a number of changes to their squad as Henry Bonello, Joseph Mbong and Matias Garcia are no longer with the club while Ivan Inzoudine, Blessing Eleke, Mouad El Fanis, Michele Carboni and Jonny were released.
Stefano Sanderra has been appointed as their new coach after the decision to terminate the contract of Giacomo Modica. New arrivals include defenders Messie Biatoumoussoka and Tobias Bjornstad, defensive midfielder Jack Ipalibo, Malta international midfielder Jake Grech and Gonzalo Virano, attacking midfielders Ante Coric and Marcelo and forwards Emmanuel Ernest and Villela.
The contracts of Celio, Rafael Compri, Ognjen Bjelicic, Emerson Marcelina, Vincenzo Polito, Kleri Serber, Eder and Damir Ceter were renewed.
NSÍ Runavík are based in Runavík on the island of Eysturoy. Founded in 1957, they managed to win their first championship in 2007. They also the Faroe Islands Cup in 1986, 2002 and 2017 and the Super Cup in 2008.
NSI Runavik are currently leaders in the Faroese Premier Division with 34 points from 16 matches. Last year, they placed third on 60 points, thirteen behind champions Klaksvik and four behind runners-up HB Torshavn.
Since taking part in UEFA club competitions for the first time in 2003, their best performance was eliminating Barry Town from the UEFA Europa League preliminary round to reach the first round proper. Last season, they defeated HJK Helsinki 4-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round but were eliminated after losing 0-5 after extra-time in the second leg.
The return match will be played at the Centenary Stadium on July 16, kick-off at 19:30.
Should Hamrun reach the second qualifying round, they would be facing FC Koper of Slovenia with the first leg played at home.