For some teams the Europa League is seen as a hindrance, a drain on already stretched resources. To others it is a reminder that they failed to achieve their number one goal of getting into the Champions League. For Wolves though, qualifying for European competition for the first time since 1980, it is not only an exciting venture into pastures new, it signals the start of a whole new chapter of the club.
True, the Thursday evening games coupled with the travel can put a strain on the squad. Plus the League and Wolves’ chances of repeating last year’s heroics are their number one priority. However there is a genuine excitement amongst the players, management and certainly the fans. So who are the clubs that they are up against?
Besiktas
Away 3rd October | Home 12th December
This Istanbul-based side undoubtedly have the greatest recent European pedigree of anyone in the group. Since the mid 1990s they have reached the last 16 of the Europa/UEFA/Cup Winners Cup six times, and the quarter finals another twice. More impressively though, they reached the last 16 of the Champions League in 2017-18, succumbing to Bayern Munich over two legs. Their Stadium, Vodafone Park, has a capacity of 41,903. At the time of writing, Besiktas sit 8th in the league with a win, draw and loss in their opening three fixtures.
Slovan Bratislava
Away 24th October | Home 7th November
The most successful club in their home nation – and the only one from either Slovak or the former Czechoslovakia to win European silverware – they lifted the Cup Winners Cup in 1969 when they beat Barcelona in the final. Based in the nation’s capital, they play their games at the brand new stadium Tehelné pole. With a capacity of 22,500 it only opened its doors in March of this year. At the time of writing, they are in second place in the league, amassing 16 points from seven games.
Braga
Home 19th September | Away 28th November
After facing two teams from the east, the other side to make up Wolves’ group is from the most westerly European country. Braga is located in the north-western region of Portugal, and is renowned for its Roman and pre Roman relics and architecture. The football team have a decent European record, finishing runners up in this competition in 2010-11. They failed to get past the qualifying rounds last season, but impressed this time around beating Spartak Moscow 3 – 1 on aggregate in the play-offs. This season they have so far struggled in the league, the opening four games yielding just four points.
