Last night, SK Brann welcomed Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg to Bergen for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, a major occasion for the club, the city, and Norwegian football. The match ended in a 1–4 defeat for Brann, leaving them with a challenging task ahead in the return leg in Salzburg on 30 July.
While progression in the Champions League now appears difficult, Brann’s European journey is far from over. Should they exit the competition at this stage, they will continue in the UEFA Europa League — ensuring more continental nights ahead this summer. Their back-to-back presence on the European stage is a clear sign of the club’s ongoing resurgence.
Brann’s women’s team is preparing for a major European night of their own, having been drawn against Inter Milan in the UEFA Women’s Champions League second qualifying round.
The match will take place in Milan on August 27, and if victorious, Brann will face the winner of Valur (Iceland) vs Braga (Portugal) just three days later. A huge challenge — and an exciting opportunity for one of Norway’s standout teams.
Both Viking and Rosenborg kick off their UEFA Europa Conference League journeys tonight, July 24.
Both clubs will look to gain the upper hand ahead of the return legs on July 31. We’re wishing them all the best in front of their home and travelling supporters.
Fresh off their Europa League semi-final run last season, Bodø/Glimt enters this summer’s action in the Champions League play-off round, with European group-stage football already guaranteed. As one of the strongest teams in the Nordics, Glimt continues to push the bar for Norwegian football abroad.
Vålerenga’s women’s team enters the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a first-round matchup against KuPS of Finland. Alongside Brann, they form part of a formidable Norwegian presence in the competition — and we look forward to seeing how far they go.
Fredrikstad FK, this year’s Norwegian Cup champions, will step into the UEFA Europa League in the third qualifying round. Their European campaign begins in August, and they’ll be aiming to carry their strong domestic form into continental competition.
Northern Ireland’s Dungannon Swifts will host FC Vaduz of Liechtenstein on July 31 at Solitude Stadium in Belfast, in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League tie. A huge moment for the club — and one that highlights how far they’ve come.
Cliftonville’s European adventure concluded last week after their second-leg loss to St. Joseph’s of Gibraltar. While the result didn’t go their way, their participation marks a significant moment in a growing Northern Irish-European footprint — and we’re proud to walk alongside them.
From early qualifiers to play-off rounds, from powerhouse clubs to bold newcomers, our partner teams are leaving their mark on European football this summer.
To Viking and Rosenborg: best of luck tonight. To Brann, Vålerenga, Fredrikstad, and Dungannon: onward to the next round. And to Cliftonville: well played.
Then you’ll want to learn from those who’ve already done it.
From ticketing compliance and fan flows to cross-border coordination and governing body expectations, here are the 10 things you need to know if you’re playing in Europe — based on lessons learned with Bodø/Glimt:
A Field Guide from Bodø/Glimt
Ten Things You Need to Know If You're Playing in Europe