Torreense host Sunderland for their first ever European home game
Portugal’s second-tier side come to the Europa League in Leiria after beating Sporting in the Taca de Portugal final.
Torreense face Sunderland this Thursday (17:45 BST) in what will be their first ever European home match. The Portuguese second-division club, last in the top flight in 1991-92, earned the Europa League debut by winning the Taca de Portugal in May against Sporting (2-1 after extra time, with Stopira scoring a penalty).
After making their continental bow by traveling to Norwegian side Lillestrøm, Torreense will now take on Ferencvaros, Ararat-Armenia, Celtic, Real Sociedad, Lech Poznań and Olympiacos before the end of January.
Playing European nights in Leiria
Torreense can’t use their Estadio Manuel Marques for UEFA matches, so they’ll host Sunderland in Leiria at the Municipal Stadium, almost 47 miles away. Andre Sabino, the club’s director of football and CEO, called it “a landmark moment” and said they want to compete, not just take part. Financially, Europa League league-phase qualification guarantees at least €5m, and the win over Lillestrøm already brought in €630,000.
Torreense
SunderlandThursday 15 October · 12:45Kick-off, where to watch and line-ups →SourceBBC SportRead the original articleMake your predictions for LaLiga, the Champions League and more, and compete with your friends on TuFutbolero.
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