Thursday 20 August 2020
Kick Off 7pm
Tonight, we make our long-awaited return to European competition, as we entertain HB Torshavn from the Faroe Islands in the Europa League Preliminary Round.
There are very few survivors from our last European expedition, in 2015. Of Eddie Patterson’s team at that stage, Only Marcus Kane, Elliott Morris, Stevie Gordon and Willie Garrett are still with the club. However, the Glentoran supporters watching at home on the BBC Sport digital platforms will get their chance to see some new Glentoran faces as summer signings Gael Bigirimana, Luke McCullough, Jamie McDonagh, Dayle Coleing and Rory Brown are all available for selection.
Mick McDermott: “It’s fantastic that the club is back in European competition so early in our project. It is always a special occasion when a club plays in Europe, so bringing competitive European football back to the Oval is another positive step in this journey.
On behalf of the players and coaching staff, I guarantee that we will give our all because in games like this there’s no second chances - you either advance or you go home. We will be thinking about the fans at home cheering us on, and that alone will motivate us to do East Belfast proud.
Our opponent tonight is a strong team and will be highly organised. They have played 17 games since May, so they have an advantage in terms of match readiness and preparation. The have technically gifted players and as a team they like to dominate their opponent.
However, we have studied them well and believe our preparations have gone well this past two weeks since the draw.
I am genuinely sorry we will have no supporters in the Oval tonight. They will be missed. But we will do everything in our power to make them proud”.
Remember the unique circumstances caused by Covid-19 mean that this one-off tie will go to extra time and penalties if necessary. It will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website.
