The new UEFA Women’s Europe Cup, the continent’s second-tier club competition, just got a lot more interesting. Two prominent teams are set to clash with European rivals in the Round of 32. Sporting will play Sweden’s Rosengard, while Sporting de Braga faces Belgium’s Anderlecht. The draw for these exciting matchups took place on Friday, setting the stage for a compelling debut season.
Sporting’s journey to this new competition has been one of mixed emotions. As national vice-champions, the “Lionesses” had their sights set on the prestigious Champions League. They put up a brave fight, even securing a 2-1 away victory against Roma. However, a 2-0 home defeat in the third preliminary round knocked them out on aggregate. This pushed them into the Europe Cup on Thursday. While their rivals Benfica, the five-time national champions, secured a spot in the Champions League league phase, Sporting will now chase glory in this fresh tournament.
Their first opponent, Rosengard, is a respected name in Swedish football. Yet, they are currently in 11th place domestically, having a tough season. This marks a first-ever meeting between Sporting and Rosengard. Sporting will have the home advantage for the initial leg of this historic tie.
Sporting de Braga also tried their luck in the Champions League qualifiers earlier this season. Finishing third in their domestic league in the 2024/25 season, they played in a preliminary group back in August. Their hopes ended when they lost their second match against Brann. Now, they too begin a new chapter in the Europe Cup. Their clash with Anderlecht is also a maiden encounter between the two clubs. Braga will kick off their tie away from home, in the Belgians’ stadium.
The first leg matches for this Round of 32 are scheduled for October 7 and 8. The return legs will follow swiftly on October 15 and 16. Winners of these ties will advance to the Round of 16. This inaugural edition of the Women’s Europe Cup will play out entirely as a series of knockout rounds, making every match crucial.
Round of 32 Schedule:
- Häcken FF, Sweden vs. Katowice, Poland
- Sparta Prague, Czech Republic vs. Ferencváros, Hungary
- Inter Milan, Italy vs. Vllaznia, Albania
- GC Frauenfussball, Switzerland vs. Ajax, Netherlands
- Sporting, Portugal vs. Rosengard, Sweden
- FC Minsk, Belarus vs. PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany vs. Slovacko, Czech Republic
- Vorskla Poltava, Ukraine vs. Fortuna Hjørring, Denmark
- Breidablik, Iceland vs. Spartak Subotica, Serbia
- Gintra, Lithuania vs. FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
- Anderlecht, Belgium vs. Sporting de Braga, Portugal
- Young Boys, Switzerland vs. Sarajevo, Bosnia
- HB Køge, Denmark vs. Glasgow City FC, Scotland
- Slávia Prague, Czech Republic vs. Austria Vienna, Austria
- Mura, Slovenia vs. FC Dinamo-BSUPC, Belarus
- Hammarby IF, Sweden vs. Brann, Norway