The luck of the draw favoured Birkirkara last month but the onus was on the FA Trophy holders to capitalise on their good fortune when they crossed swords with Ulisses FC in the Europa League first qualifying round with an attractive match against West Ham United at stake.

A goalless stalemate in last week’s first leg at the Hibernians Stadium looked to have handed the Armenians a significant boost ahead of the return match.

But, taking confidence from their positive home showing, the Stripes turned in a brilliant performance to beat Ulisses 3-1 and progress to the next round.

As expected, there was a jovial atmosphere on the chartered Air Malta flight with the weary but happy faces of the Birkirkara players and fans encapsulating their feelings as the 100-odd contingent departed from Yerevan in the early hours of yesterday.

The team’s heart-on-sleeve performance at the Republican Stadium turned the tables on Ulisses as goals from Fabrizio Miccoli, Mauricio Mazzetti and Paul Fenech gave Birkirkara their first away win in 20 years of participation in Euro competitions, bar the 3-0 default victory over Andorra’s FC Santa Coloma in 2010.

The win in Armenia and qualification to the second qualifying round of the Europa League is an important landmark in Birkir-kara’s quest to start a new successful era.

Fans celebrate Birkirkara’s victory with Fabrizio Miccoli.Fans celebrate Birkirkara’s victory with Fabrizio Miccoli.

Credit must be given to the newly-elected committee, led by president Adrian Delia, who showed that they are not afraid to make tough decisions.

“To part with someone who had led the team to a string of successes was a courageous move from us,” Dr Delia told Times of Malta.

“I met a lot of resistance because (coach) Paul Zammit had been at the helm for six years but I think we are already reaping the fruit of our decision to appoint Giovanni Tedesco as the new coach.

“The incentive of playing against West Ham if we passed the first round definitely increased the importance of our participation in the UEFA Europa League this year but our qualification has not changed our plans.

“Our financial decisions are not based on the remote chance of encountering a top European side in the draw but we have laid the foundations of this year’s European endeavour on sound judgment.”

Dr Delia is looking forward to the encounters with West Ham. The first leg is scheduled for the coming Thursday at Upton Park (8.45pm) with the return leg a week later at the National Stadium.

“Our tie against West Ham will surely enhance the club’s image,” Dr Delia said.

“We have already received requests from Sky Sports to come over in order to learn more about our team. For us, the match at Upton Park will be an opportunity to show our true mettle and to produce another gallant display like we did in Armenia.”

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