Trabzonspor set to end 720-day European drought - Milliyet

Milliyet AppUygulamayı AçWebWeb'de Devam Et ENTrabzonspor set to end 720-day European droughtNewsTrabzonspor Set To End 720-Day European DroughtTrabzonspor set to end 720-day European drought19.08.2026 - 14:29 | Last Updated: 19.08.2026 - 14:29

HABER MERKEZİ - Trabzonspor will make their long-awaited return to European competition on Thursday when they host Ferencvaros in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off round.

The Turkish side last played in Europe on August 29, 2024, when they faced Swiss club St. Gallen at home in the UEFA Conference League play-offs. The match ended 1-1 after extra time before Trabzonspor were eliminated on penalties.

Trabzonspor then missed out on European football in the 2024-25 season after finishing seventh in the league. Last season, however, they secured a return to Europe by winning the Turkish Cup, earning a place in the Europa League play-offs.

A victory over Ferencvaros would end Trabzonspor's 748-day wait for a European win.

Their last victory came on August 1, 2024, when they defeated Slovakia's Ruzomberok 1-0 at home in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

The Ferencvaros game will also mark Fatih Tekke's first European match as Trabzonspor head coach.

Tekke won the UEFA Cup as a player with Russian side Zenit but is preparing for his first European campaign from the sidelines. The 48-year-old began his coaching career at Kayseri Erciyesspor and later managed Boluspor, Manisaspor, Denizlispor, Istanbulspor, Bursaspor and Alanyaspor before returning to Trabzonspor.

Under Tekke, Trabzonspor finished third in the 2025-26 Süper Lig and won the Turkish Cup, securing a return to European competition after a one-season absence.

Trabzonspor and Ferencvaros will meet for the second time in European competition.

The two clubs previously faced each other in the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League group stage. Ferencvaros won 3-2 in Hungary, while Trabzonspor secured a 1-0 victory at home.

Trabzonspor finished third in the group with nine points, behind leaders Ferencvaros on 10 points and Monaco, who finished second on goal difference.