Bjørnstad strike earns Spartans a valuable draw in the Faroe Islands

NSÍ Runavík 1 – 1 Ħamrun Spartans P. Knudsen 26’  |  Bjørnstad 56’ Ħamrun Spartans produced a gutsy display to earn a valuable 1-1 draw against NSÍ Runavík in Klaksvík, staying well in the hunt to progress to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. It was a valuable result for the Spartans, particularly when one considers the tough build-up they had to the match. The Maltese side only arrived in the Faroe Islands at noon the previous day, giving Stefano Sanderra’s team practically no chance of a normal preparation. In fact, the players were thrown onto the pitch just eight hours after arriving in Klaksvík and, given the circumstances, produced an encouraging display. Despite falling behind to a Petur Knudsen goal midway through the first half, they kept their poise, and their patience was finally rewarded with a deserved equaliser from Tobias Bjørnstad that keeps them well in the hunt to secure qualification in Wednesday’s second leg at the Centenary Stadium. Coach Stefano Sanderra lined up his team in a 3-5-2 formation, with Damir Četer and Lucas Villela leading the line. The match was evenly balanced early on, with scoring chances few and far between. Ħamrun did have a chance on 12 minutes when the Runavík defence failed to clear a cross, but Jake Grech fired over when well placed. However, it was Runavík who drew first blood on 26 minutes: from a Jann Benjaminsen corner, Petur Knudsen was given time and space to head past Célio. Ħamrun tried to respond, and on the half-hour mark Damir Četer was played through by Guillaumier but was denied by the goalkeeper. Six minutes from the break, Jack Ipalibo came to the Spartans’ rescue when he blocked Emil Joensen’s shot. After the break, the Spartans tried to step up the tempo but continued to struggle to create openings. Runavík looked well in control, but the Spartans finally struck on 55 minutes. Guillaumier fed Lucas Villela inside the area, and the Brazilian forward quickly pushed the ball across the penalty box for the arriving Tobias Bjørnstad, who fired home. Ħamrun were now pushing forward, and on 64 minutes Jake Grech’s shot from the edge of the area was saved. The Spartans then suffered a blow on 77 minutes as Emerson Marcelina picked up an injury and was replaced by Kean Scicluna. The Spartans almost won it at the death when substitute Ante Ćorić sent in a fine cross, but Matthew Guillaumier failed to connect in front of a gaping goal, as the Maltese side had to settle for a draw — a result that leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the return.

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NSÍ RUNAVÍK: T. Ramos, A. Elisson (F. Drinic 16), D. Obbekjaer, V. Davidsen, J. Benjaminsen, B. Nolsoe, E. Joensen, M. Przybylski, M. Lindh (S. Skytte 83), P. Knudsen, T. Hestad (A. Knudsen 61). ĦAMRUN SPARTANS: Célio, J. Grech, R. Compri, E. Marcelina (K. Scicluna 79), V. Polito, T. Bjørnstad, M. Guillaumier, J. Ipalibo, D. Četer (E. Ernest 79), L. Villela (A. Ćorić 65), M. Biatoumoussoka. Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Ireland) Yellow cards: Przybylski, Knudsen (Runavík) #HamrunSpartans #ConferenceLeague