The 2010-2011 UEFA Champions League kicked off well before the 2010 World Cup had even ended, with the first match being played on the 30th June as Europe’s smallest champions set out at the very start of the long and arduous road to Wembley. The champions of Andorra, Malta, San Marino and Montenegro contested the opening pair of two-legged ties for a chance to join the slightly less small boys in the Second Qualifying Round.
The opening game of the competition never actually took place as Andorran champions Santa Coloma’s Estadi Comunal pitch was in too poor a condition. The Andorrans were fined €10,000 and awarded a 0-3 defeat, which gave them little chance ahead of the second leg against Birkirkara in Malta. The tie was well and truly wrapped up by the end of an exciting first half with the Maltese leading 4-2 on the night and 7-2 on aggregate. Santa Coloma scored a late consolation in the second half to end up 7-3 losers and become the first team to be knocked out of this season’s Champions League.
The other tie was no more competitive, with Rudar Pljevlja of Montenegro winning their first leg 3-0 away against Tre Fiori at the Stadio Olimpico in Serravalle, San Marino. Rudar followed up with a 4-1 win at home a week later to complete a 7-1 rout.
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