Understand
Sunderland fans travel to Portugal for the club's first competitive European fixture on mainland Europe in 53 years
Overview
Thousands of Sunderland fans are travelling to north-west Portugal for the team's Europa League fixture against Torreense, marking the club's first competitive match on mainland Europe in 53 years. Because Torreense's home ground is small, the match is being held in Leiria. Supporters have undertaken complex travel journeys involving multiple flights, drives and buses, with many expressing that the rare European campaign is a monumental occasion that might never happen again.
Key points
- Thousands of Sunderland fans are travelling to Portugal for the team's first competitive fixture on mainland Europe in 53 years.
- Sunderland are playing Portuguese second division team Torreense in the Europa League.
- The match is being held in Leiria, about 66 miles away from Torreense's home ground.
- Fans reported complex travel itineraries involving flights, buses and hire cars to reach the city.
- Supporters described the European campaign as a massive milestone that might never come around again.