Maribor Hosting Sevilla in UEFA Cup Knock-Out Stage
Following the winter break, the Ljudski vrt Stadium will be full, as all 12,500 seats have been sold out. Around 150 Spanish fans are also expected to attend the match.
This is the first time the perennial Slovenian champions survived the winter break in European competitions, and Maribor players cannot wait to run out on the pitch after a successful training camp in Turkey.
"We are aware of the responsibility, and this match is an honour and privilege for us. We are in a perfect shape, we can't wait to face the opponent," said Maribor head coach Ante Šimundža, who took over last September.
Maribor qualified for the round of 32 of the UEFA Europe League for the first time in club history by defeating Wigan Athletic of England at home in December to take second place in the qualifying Group D.
This was Maribor's second biggest success in European competitions, following the qualification to the UEFA Champions League in the 1999/2000 season.
The return match with the two-time UEFA Cup champions Sevilla is scheduled a week later in Spain.