Floriana, back in European competition after a 14-year absence, will face some familiar foes in the second qualifying round of the Europa League after being paired with AEK Larnaca.
The Greens have never met the Cypriot team in European competitions but AEK Larnaca are coached by former Valletta mentor Ton Caanen.
AEK, who finished fourth in the league last season but secured a berth in the Europa League after Omonia Nicosia won the cup, also have two ex-Valletta players in their ranks, defender Luke Dimech and Njongo Priso.
AEK Larnaca’s technical director is Jordi Cruyff who turned out for Valletta in the last year of his playing career.
The Dutchman welcomed the news that AEK will meet Floriana in the Europa League.
“I believe the draw is good for both teams,” Cruyff told The Times from Spain.
“The weather in the two countries is pretty the same at this time of the year, meaning that both teams are used to playing in the heat. Travelling costs are also relatively low, so financially it’s also a good thing for both teams.
“Floriana have improved a lot in the last year... I think it’s going to be an interesting game.”
Cruyff confirmed that Caanen has stayed on as AEK coach while Dimech has just signed a one-year contract extension after leaving a very positive impression last season.
AEK have also taken up the option to make Priso’s loan move from Valletta a permanent one. Priso, who is attracting interest from a host of clubs, has another two years left on his contract.
Cruyff also revealed that he made a second attempt to lure Michael Mifsud but the Malta striker declined his offer.
The first leg of the second qualifying round tie will take place at the Hibs Stadium on July 14 with the second leg in Larnaca a week later.
Birkirkara, Malta’s other representative in the Europa League, have been handed a trip to Albania after being pitted against KS Vllaznia in the first qualifying round.
The Stripes, who reached the second qualifying round of the Champions League last season, host Vllaznia in Corradino on June 30 with the return leg a week later in Shkoder.
This is the second time that Birkirkara, who finished third in the Premier League last season, have been drawn against an Albanian team in a UEFA competition.
Seven years ago, they lost 5-4 on aggregate to Partizan Tirana in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
Swiss side Thun await the win-ner of the Birkirkara/Vllaznia tie in the second qualifying round.
Europa League
First qualifying round
KR Reykjavik (Iceland) vs IF Fuglafjordur (F. Islands)
Daugava Daugavpils (Latvia) vs Tromso (Norway)
Elfsborg (Sweden) vs CS Fola Esch (Luxembourg)
The New Saints (Wales) vs Cliftonville (N. Ireland)
Honka Espoo (Finland) vs JK Nomme Kalju (Estonia)
Fulham (England) vs NSI Runavik (F. Islands)
IBV Vestmannaeyjar (Iceland) vs Saint Patrick’s (Ireland)
BK Hacken (Sweden) vs UN Kaerjeng 97 (Luxembourg)
Aalesunds FK (Norway) vs Neath FC (Wales)
FK Renova (Macedonia) vs Glentoran FC (N. Ireland)
FC Koper (Slovenia) vs Shakhter Karagandy (Kazakhstan)
FK Banga (Lithuania) vs Qarabag FK (Azerbaijan)
Paksi SE (Hungary) vs UE Santa Coloma (Andorra)
FK Rabotnicki (Macedonia) vs JK Trans Narva (Estonia)
FK Rad (Serbia) vs SP Tre Penne (San Marino)
FK Buducnost (Montenegro) vs KS Flaumurtari (Albania)
Ulisses FC (Armenia) vs Ferencvaros (Hungary)
Jagiellonia Bialystok (Poland) vs Irtysh Pavlodar (Kazakhstan)
FC Minsk (Belarus) vs Olimpik-Suvalan PFK (Azerbaijan)
FC Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia) vs Milsami Orhei (Moldova)
NK Varazdin (Croatia) vs FC Lusitans (Andorra)
FC Banants (Armenia) vs Metalurgi Rustavi (Georgia)
Birkirkara (Malta) vs KS Vllaznia (Albania)
NK Siroki Brijeg (Bosnia) vs Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
FC Spartak Trnava (Slovakia) vs FK Zeta (Montenegro)
First leg: June 30;
Second leg: July 7.
Second qualifying round
Floriana (Malta) vs AEK Larnaca (Cyprus)
Birkirkara/KS Vllaznia vs FC Thun (Switzerland)
First leg: July 14;
Second leg: July 21.