Torreense: The 14th Placed Second Division Side in the Europa League

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European football is usually reserved for the biggest clubs in each country.

But this season, one of the most unusual teams in the Europa League is SCU Torreense. They are a Portuguese second-division club from the town of Torres Vedras. Their route into Europe is one of the best underdog stories in football.

Torreense were competing in Liga Portugal 2, Portugal's second tier, during the 2025/26 season.

They weren't expected to be challenging the country's biggest clubs for silverware.

But they produced an extraordinary run in the Taca de Portugal, eventually reaching the final against Sporting CP. Sporting were obviously the overwhelming favourites.

The Lisbon giants had won the Portuguese league in the previous two seasons and had already established themselves as one of Portugal's dominant clubs.

Torreense, meanwhile, had only reached the Portuguese Cup final once before back in 1956, when they lost to Porto.

Torreense took the lead just three minutes into the final through Kevin Zohi. Sporting eventually equalised through Luis Suarez, sending the match into extra time.

With the game still level, Torreense were awarded a penalty after Sporting's Maximiliano Araujo was sent off. Ianique stepped up and converted from the spot, meaning Torreense had beaten Sporting 2-1 in a stunning upset.

The second-division club had won the Portuguese Cup for the first time in its history.

It was the first major trophy in the club's history and one of the biggest cup upsets Portuguese football had seen.

Winning the Portuguese Cup meant Torreense earned a place in the 2026/27 Europa League.

That means the club will spend the 2026/27 season playing in Portugal's second tier while simultaneously competing in the Europa League.

They will also face established European clubs during their campaign, giving a team from a town west of Lisbon the chance to play on one of the biggest stages in European football.

For context, Torreense's stadium, the Estadio Manuel Marques holds only around 2,400 spectators.

Now, instead of travelling around Portugal exclusively for second-tier fixtures, Torreense are preparing to take on some of Europe's established clubs.

Torreense currently sit 14th in Portugal's second-tier only a few places above relegation.