Torreense Makes European Football History Despite Second Division Setback
Torreense, the Portuguese Cup winners, will make history as they secure a spot in the league phase of the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League. This achievement came after a thrilling 2-1 victory against Sporting CP in the Portuguese Cup final on Sunday. Despite finishing third in the Portuguese second division and aiming for promotion through the play-offs, Torreense faced a setback. They competed against Casa Pia, who finished 16th in the top flight, but lost 2-0 in the away leg after a goalless first leg. This defeat means Torreense, hailing from Torres Vedras, will participate in European football next season, although as a second division club. Due to their 2,500-seater stadium not meeting UEFA's requirements, they will play their home matches at the Estadio Algarve in Faro, located 193 miles away. Other clubs joining Torreense in the Europa League include Bournemouth, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Juventus, AC Milan, and Bayer Leverkusen. Historically, several second-tier teams have competed in European competitions: Vestri from Iceland, who won the 2025 Icelandic Cup, will enter the Europa League. FC Vaduz from Liechtenstein has regularly participated in the Europa League qualifying rounds despite spending most of the 21st century in the Swiss second division. Millwall and Birmingham City also made notable European appearances despite relegation in their respective seasons. This trend highlights the unique journey of clubs like Torreense, who, against the odds, will showcase their talent on a European stage.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-29