The Viktorians now know their opponent for the second qualifying round of the Europa League. The draw in Nyon, Switzerland, paired us with the Norwegian team Tromsø IL.

The draw, which took place in Nyon, paired us with the Norwegian team Tromsø Turnforenings Fotballag. We will play the first match on the opponent’s home field on July 23. The second leg is scheduled for a week later at Doosan Arena.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

Tromsø IL was founded on September 15, 1920, under the name Tromsø Turnforenings Fotballag and is today one of Norway’s most prominent soccer clubs. It plays its home games at Romssa Arena, also known by its original name, Alfheim Stadion, which has a capacity of just over six and a half thousand spectators.

The club is considered the northernmost professional soccer team in the world, and thanks to its successes, it has become a symbol of sports life in the Arctic region.

Although Tromsø has yet to win the Norwegian championship title, it has finished in second place twice, in 1990 and 2011. Its greatest successes have come in the domestic cup, which it won in 1986 and 1996.

This is not the club’s first appearance in European competitions in its history. In the past, it qualified for the group stage of the Europa League, for example, in 2013. Among its most memorable moments is the so-called “snow match” against Chelsea of London in 1997, which has become a part of the club’s history.

In recent years, Tromsø IL has experienced a significant resurgence both on the field and financially. After returning to the top division in 2020, it has once again established itself among the best teams in Norway. These successes have contributed to growing fan interest and strengthened the club’s position as an important symbol of northern Norway.

Tromsø is the largest city in northern Norway and lies approximately 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Thanks to its unique location, it is often referred to as the “gateway to the Arctic.” The city is known for its stunning natural beauty, opportunities to view the Northern Lights, and the phenomenon of the midnight sun.