Spanish referee Cesar Soto Grado has been appointed to officiate the eagerly awaited UEFA Champions League Q2 first leg between Ħamrun Spartans and Dynamo Kyiv, scheduled for next Tuesday at 7 PM at the Centenary Stadium. Soto Grado, who has refereed 21 La Liga matches during the 2024/2025 season, including notable fixtures like Barcelona’s title-clinching game against Espanyol and the Madrid derby, will be supported by assistant referees Carlos Alvarez Fernandes and Ruben Besseril Gomez, as well as fourth official Victor Garcia Verdura. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be Valentin Gomez, aided by Miguel Sesma Espinosa, all from the Spanish federation.
In the lead-up to the match, Dynamo Kyiv faced a setback in their preparations, losing 1-0 to Croatia’s Osijek in their final pre-season friendly. The Ukrainian champions, under the guidance of former goalkeeper Oleksander Shovkovskyi, participated in several friendlies during their training camp in Austria. They also played against Midtjylland from Denmark, which resulted in a 3-1 defeat, and held West Bromwich Albion to a 1-1 draw.
As they gear up for the new season, Dynamo Kyiv will begin their title defense in Ukraine on August 2, facing Veres in an away match. Additionally, the club recently unveiled their new kits—a home white kit and an away blue kit—crafted by New Balance and inspired by the vibrant graffiti culture of Kyiv, reflecting the rhythm of the streets and the unwavering support of their fans. Notably, their logo now boasts a third star, symbolizing their impressive 30th league title, which they secured unbeaten in the past season.
This match offers a fantastic opportunity for Ħamrun Spartans to showcase their talent on the European stage, while Dynamo Kyiv aims to bounce back from their recent defeats and embark on another successful campaign.