With France's much-anticipated visit fast approaching, Malta have a chance to vie for a more significant share of the European football limelight in the next few days.
How?... by achieving a positive result against Israel at the National Stadium this evening.
Although the prospect of facing a glamorous French team teeming with top-class players will inevitably excite the Maltese players, national coach Sigfried Held has been urging his charges to focus on the task at hand.
Israel are next in line and Held's caution stems from his conviction that Malta's opponents today are stronger than they are generally perceived to be.
"Israel should never be underestimated. In fact, I firmly believe that they are a better team than many might think and they will strongly challenge Slovenia for second spot in Group One," Held said yesterday.
"Having watched the video of their 5-0 victory away to Luxembourg I am more than certain that our team would have to play to the maximum of its abilities if we are to gain a good result. Any team coming to play in Malta have high hopes of obtaining a victory but we also have our objectives," the German coach said.
When it was put to Held whether the meeting with France will have conditioned the team's preparations for today's game, given the general view that Maltese are not used to playing two tough games within six days, the coach said: "No, the prospect of facing France over the next six days has not altered our preparation for the game against Israel. At present, we are only concerned with Israel."
In their opening 3-0 defeat to Slovenia in Ljubljana, Malta's bold resistance early on was undone by an unlucky Darren Debono own goal seven minutes from half-time. In the second half of that match on September 7, Held's men betrayed signs of weariness in the face of Slovenia's intensified pressure, eventually succumbing to a 3-0 defeat.
"Good organisation, tactical discipline and sound defending are the keys to a good result for us. If we manage to keep things tight at the back we can then aspire to create some attacks of our own," the former West Germany 1966 World Cup member said.
Held's hopes of a fine defensive display by his team will have been lifted by the news of Debono's return to fitness.
The Valletta defender was ranked doubtful after he suffered a hamstring injury in his side's 3-1 Premier League win over Birkirkara last week but still forced his way into Held's 20-man squad.
Debono's chances of regaining his full fitness in time to face the Israel team have been bolstered by his emerging unscathed from yesterday's training sessions.
The German coach hinted that Malta's rearguard will be staffed by the same players who began the match against Slovenia. Debono and Luke Dimech will assume the two centre-half roles with Brian Said taking up the libero position and skipper David Carabott and Jeffrey Chetcuti stationed on the right and left flanks respectively.
Stefan Giglio's suspension means that Held will be forced into one change in the middle of the park.
His void is likely to be filled by Noel Turner while Joe Brincat, only one game short of a 100 international appearances, has been preferred to George Mallia.
Valletta's Gilbert Agius completes Malta's midfield trident behind the now customary striking partnership of Kaiserslautern's Michael Mifsud and Chucks Nwoko of Birkirkara.
As is his wont, Held refused to give out hints on his initial XI but confirmed Brincat will be there.
It is believed that Dimech has been performing more than adequately in a holding midfield role for his Irish club Shamrock Rovers, raising suggestions that he could be perhaps more useful for the national team in that position given the dearth of combative midfielders in Maltese football.
Asked whether he has spared a thought to the idea of deploying the former Sliema hardman in midfield, Held said he believes Dimech is more effective in a central defensive role.
"Dimech's strength lies in his defending because he is not that creative. Having said that, I think he can do a good job for his team in a deep midfield role but as far as the Maltese team is concerned, Dimech is better off playing at centre-half."
Malta's formation: M. Muscat, N. Turner, J. Chetcuti, B. Said, D. Debono, L. Dimech, G. Agius, D. Carabott, M. Mifsud, J. Brincat, C. Nwoko.
Referee: S. Shebek (Ukraine FA).
Kick-off: 7 p.m.
Past encounters
06-09-1984 Israel vs Malta 2-1
02-12-1987 Israel vs Malta 1-1
18-10-1988 Israel vs Malta 2-0
11-01-1989 Malta vs Israel 1-2
(all friendly matches)