Gatt looking at home record for inspiration

Croatia's 2-2 draw with Euro champions France in Portugal on Thursday could spell bad news for Hibernians. As one of 42 teams embarking on their continental adventure this weekend, Hibernians, our sole representatives in the Intertoto Cup, face NK Slaven Belupo at Corradino today at 5 p.m.

The visitors are anything but a household name in European football but they are a Croatian club and their national team is one of the 16 finalists of EURO 2004. They owe their presence in the Intertoto Cup to sheer luck.

NK Osijek were refused a UEFA licence and subsequently lost their right to claim their country's first Intertoto Cup slot. Two other clubs finishing above Slaven Belupo in the league snubbed the competition.

This combination of events cleared the way for Relegation Pool leaders Kamen Ingrad and Hibs' imminent opponents to take part in the Intertoto Cup.

Hibs, whose third placing in the Premier League was insufficient to land them a UEFA Cup spot after Marsaxlokk contested the FA Trophy final, know they are in for a tough time against a team buoyed by their country's fine performance against the French this week. Coach Robert Gatt is banking on his team's positive home European record to spur Hibs to a good result.

"Needless to say that our first leg tie against Slaven Belupo promises to be tough. They have an impressive record in the Intertoto Cup," Gatt told The Times yesterday.

"But, we have not been beaten at home in European competition for the past three matches now. This factor should give added motivation to our players, I suppose."

Slaven Belupo surpassed expectations the last time they were involved in the Intertoto Cup. Two years ago, they made it to the semi-finals of the competition where they lost to Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart 3-1 on aggregate.

Hibs are no strangers to this pre-season competition either. Last year, they were knocked out by Finland's Allianssi in the first round.

A 1-1 draw in the return leg at the Hibs Ground was not enough to see them through after they had lost the first leg 1-0.

The year before, Hibs had advanced to the second qualifying round of the Champions League after a 3-2 win over Irish side Shelbourne but lost to Boavista 7-3. In the return leg at Ta' Qali, Gatt's men held the Portuguese to a 3-3 draw... a third positive result at home in two years.

The season before, Hibs had also beaten Poland's Zaglebie Lubin 1-0 at home but lost 4-1 on aggregate.

Gatt has praised his players' commitment but is concerned about the lack of competitive practice.

"We have tried to prepare for this game in the best way possible but we could not organise some friendlies which would have given us some much-needed match practice," Gatt said.

"Nevertheless, taking into account the particular difficulties caused by the awkward timing of the competition, I cannot complain about our preparations."

Hibs are not at full strength as midfielder Ndubisi Chukunyere and Cesar Paiber, their Argentine-born libero, are unavailable for selection.

Chukunyere, who tied the knot last Saturday, is nursing an injury and Paiber is in South America.

These absences aside, all the other players in the thin Hibs squad are at Gatt's disposal.

Hibs formation (probable): M. Muscat, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff, A. Pulis, R. Baldacchino (J. Micallef), A. Zahra (A. Cohen), P. Pullicino, E. Mbong, A. Schembri, A. Mifsud, T. Scerri.