The Portuguese second-tier team hosting Sunderland in Europe
Torreense, a Portuguese second-division club, are making their Europa League debut after beating Sporting 2-1 in May’s Portuguese Cup final. Their unexpected run matters both to the small club and to Portugal, whose teams earn valuable European ranking points through their performances.
The club last played in Portugal’s top flight in 1991-92 and became the first second-tier side to qualify for Europe by winning the Portuguese Cup. They have already earned three points, including a win over Lillestrom, and host Sunderland on Thursday, though the match will be played in Leiria because Torreense’s 2,431-capacity ground does not meet UEFA requirements.
- Torreense reached Europe by winning the Portuguese Cup.
- They have already earned three Europa League points.
- Sunderland visit their temporary home in Leiria.
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Torreense are a football club from Torres Vedras, north of Lisbon, and play in Portugal’s second division. They have not been in the top flight since the 1991–92 season, so their progress into European competition marks a rare step up for the club.
The Portuguese Cup gives clubs a route into Europe, and Torreense earned that place by beating Sporting in the final. They became the first Portuguese second-tier side to qualify for European competition by winning the cup.
European results can also affect Portugal’s standing in UEFA’s country rankings, which help determine how many places its clubs receive in future competitions. Torreense’s small home ground does not meet UEFA requirements, so the match against Sunderland is being held in Leiria.