Brighton face Arctic test as Tromso tie threatens to stretch Hurzeler’s squad | OneFootball

Brighton face an Arctic test against Tromso in the Conference League play-off, a tie that could shape Fabian Hurzeler’s season.

NY Times reports Tromso swept Cluj 7-1, winning 5-0 away then 2-1 at home. Brighton visit on August 20 and host on August 27, with Aston Villa on August 23 in between.

Hurzeler’s teams began fast, taking 15 and 12 points from the first eight league games in 2024 and 2025. Another quick start matters, since an early exit could hurt. If they go through, six Thursday-Sunday turnarounds follow from October to December and a route to the final could add up to 17 matches.

Injuries complicate matters. Kaoru Mitoma, Carlos Baleba, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson are out, and Yankuba Minteh may join them after a right leg issue in the 3-0 win over Roma. The rebuild continues until the window shuts on one September.

Tromso’s season began in April, they finished third last year and are third after 16 games, seven points behind Bodo/Glimt with a game in hand. They dropped from the Europa League after a 4-1 loss to Hradec Kralove. The Romssa Arena, capacity under 6,700, has an artificial pitch and sits inside the Arctic Circle.

Hurzeler says he wants a strong, larger group able to play three times a week, treating Europe as a chance for youngsters while balancing the Premier League. The opener could be as testing as any, with Palace squeezing past Fredrikstad 1-0 at this stage before lifting the trophy.

Source: NY Times

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”