We need to talk about Torreensen, Portuguese second-class club challenging expectations and making history in this edition of the League of Europe.
The team led by Joao Nuno was expected to complete the league phase in its final position, but after two victories in the first four matches, currently ranks on clubs known as Milan, Real Sociedad, Crystal Palace and Marseille.
One of these victories came on Thursday evening, when the two goals scored at the extra time by Yavi Vazquez and Musa Drameh assured Torreens of a dramatic 3-2 triumph over the Armenian team Arrat-Armenia at the Estadio Municipal de Leiria.
But how did a second-class club become part of the League of Europe and leave behind some of the greatest names of continental football?
Torreense secured participation in this edition of the League of Europe after the month of May won the Portugal Cup — a success that was equally remarkable.
The club from Torres Vedras achieved what is considered one of the greatest surprises in the history of this competition, defeating Sporting Lisbon in the finals. Kevin Zohi and Stopira’s goals gave Torreens victory 2-1 and the great trophy.
With this success, Torreense became the first club from the second category to win the Portugal Cup. Moreover, the triumph provided the qualifications directly in the phase of the League of Europe, regardless of its championship position.
This is especially interesting, since Torreenes failed to secure promotion to the Portuguese football elite at the end of last season. They lost their réplay-off game of climbing Casa Pia.
The championship situation is far from extraordinary. After nine matches, Torreense ranks 12th in the Pro League, making their start in the European race even more impressive.
The recent confrontation against Arrat-Armenia, Torreense, developed at the Éstadio Municipal de Leiria, which has a capacity of 23,888 seats.
However, this is not the stadium where the club usually holds the matches as domestic. At the Portuguese championships, Torreense plays in ão Manuel Marquesão, a stadium with a capacity of only 2,500 fans.
Because their stadium does not meet UEFA criteria for European match development, the club is forced to play League meetings in Europe about 60 miles from home.
Thus, Torreense is writing a special story in Portuguese and European football: a second-class club, which won the local cup and is now challenging the continent’s giants in the League of Europe. /Telegraph/