Malta play Denmark in the opening match from the 2012 Dove Men+Care International Series at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Ħamrun, today (kick-off: 5 p.m.).

The Danes, currently 20th in the international rankings, will host the return match in Copenhagen on September 29.

The teams hold a somewhat similar record on the European circuit, both accounting for Norway within the last 12 months and both nations fighting for valuable international ranking points.

Denmark Rugby League presi-dent Rune T. Nordvang said there is excitement surrounding his team at taking on their opponents on Maltese soil.

“The players are looking much forward to this series. The match in Malta will be the first ever game the Danish Lions play as a national team for world ranking points,” he said.

“They know they’ll have to raise their game but that is what they have been doing so far and I’ve seen them at the national gatherings – they are not prepared to lie down without a fight.”

Malta captain Chris Parker, who arrived from Newcastle on Tuesday, said this was the team’s big-gest challenge to date.

“The game will be one of the biggest tests we have had on home soil,” he said.

“As always, I expect to see a Malta side full of passion and progressing from the last hit out against Norway (September, Malta winning 64-24).”

London-based Australian referee Phill Browne will officiate the match with local referee Nadia Gosney confirmed as one of the two touch judges.