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Sunderland’s first European away trip in 53 years takes the Lads to Portugal, where a giant-killing cup triumph has put SCU Torreense on the continental stage. But what awaits the travelling fans?

Sunderland can reboot season against Torreense in Europa League in break from tough start to the Premier League

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Sunderland will face Portuguese Cup winners Torreense in their second Europa League fixture on Thursday. (via Sunderland Echo)

Sunderland face surprise Portuguese Cup winners Torreense on the second matchday of the league phase of this season’s Europa League. (via Sunderland Echo)

Black Cats can reboot season against Torreense in Europa League in break from tough start to the Premier League There is a pleasing symmetry about Sunderland’s Europa League trip to Portugal to face Torreense on Thursday night. The club’s last competitive venture on European soil, 53 years ago, was the second leg of a European Cup Winners’ Cup second-round tie against Sporting in Lisbon for the FA Cup holders, then in the Second Division. In a striking parallel, second-tier Torreense prompted widespread surprise by beating Sporting in the Portuguese Cup final last season. The reward was a place in the Europa League’s initial phase and their chances of reaching next spring’s sudden-death rounds were boosted when they beat Lillestrom 2-1 in Norway last month. Continue reading...

The team of officials have been confirmed for Sunderland’s Europa League fixture with Portuguese Cup winners Torreense. (via Sunderland Echo)

Torreense had two players sent off ahead of facing Sunderland – but UEFA’s suspension rules are important (via Sunderland Echo)

João Gonçalves, do Porto, vai estar no CSKA Sófia-Mónaco