The Algarve Stadium (Estádio do Algarve) between Faro and Loulé will serve as the venue for a first leg Europa League playoff clash between Portugal’s SC Braga and Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps on Thursday, August 21 at 8pm.
The Lincoln Red Imps normally play at Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar, which they share with other local clubs and which seats around 2,000 spectators. However, this venue no longer meets UEFA’s newer standards required for European competition matches, meaning they had to find another stadium to play their home match in the Europa League playoff.
SC Braga are considered heavy favourites and are enjoying a strong start to the season. To reach the Europa League playoff, Braga knocked out Levksi Sofia (Bulgaria) and CFR Cluj (Romania) with three wins and one draw. The northern Portuguese side is also 100% victorious in the Portuguese league so far, with two 3-0 victories over Tondela and Alverca.
Meanwhile, Lincoln Red Imps are fresh off their 3-0 win against Bruno’s Magpies in the Gibraltar Pepe Reys Cup (Super Cup). In the start of their European campaign, the Red Imps eliminated GÍ/LÍF Víkingur (Iceland) in the first qualifying phase of the Champions League, losing to Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) in the second round and dropping to the Europe League third round qualifier. In their matchup against Noah (Armenia), the Red Imps won in a penalty shootout after two draws, securing a spot in the playoff.
Tickets for tomorrow’s match cost €10 and will be sold at the stadium’s ticket offices from 4pm on the matchday.
