There is just a week to go until the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League as we host FC Twente (to the ticket info!). What can we expect next Tuesday? We have taken a closer look at the opponents from the Netherlands.
FC Twente portrait
Having been founded from a 1965 merger, the club has seen a lot in its time, even in the recent past. The club was twice on the brink of insolvency, most recently in 2003. FC Twente rebuilt and gained the biggest success in club history soon afterwards - when in 2010 the club won the Dutch title for the first time since the merger. Twente followed up that glorious high with a cup win the following year.
The dream era would not last for long, however, with the club back in the financial doldrums by 2016. License problems in 2016 almost led to relegation. That was averted, but in 2017/18 the drop came due to on-pitch results.
Once again the club rallied and battled back. In 2019 they regained promotion to the top flight and qualified for Europe again in 2021/22!
'Welcome to the Enschede hell'
The opponents are known for the loyalty and passion of their fans, who have emerged united from all their difficulties. Close to 30,000 attended FC Twente's Eredivisie games last season in the city of 150,000 at De Grolsch Veste, which translates at the Grolsch Fortress, and has its own connection to a bicycle highway. Along with a fan club in Australia (the Tukkeroos), their supporters have a friendship with Schalke 04 from the relatively nearby Gelsenkirchen.
It is not just a club known for its supporters, however, with numerous former players of De Tukkers also making the big stage. Along with names such as Marko Arnautovic, Luuk de Jong and Hakim Ziyech, there is one former Twente player our fans also recall fondly - Marc Janko! The big striker left Salzburg for the Netherlands in 2010 and quickly played his way into the fans' hearts - not least because of his winning goal in the 2011 cup final against arch-rivals Ajax just three minutes before the end of extra time!
"I have two hearts beating in my chest", said Janko after hearing that we would face FC Twente for a spot in the UEFA Champions League play-off.
Two home matches for Pep
Our first European home match under Pepijn Lijnders will be a clash between two Dutch tactical masters. Joseph Oosting has been in the FC Twente dugout since 2023 - and like our new coach prefers a 4-3-3 formation, albeit with a more defensive form.
Along with captain Robin Pröpper, 22-year-old midfield youngster Sem Steijn is one of the most exciting players for the Tukkers, with new signing Sam Lammers (arrived from Rangers) leading the attack. An experienced goalkeeper who made his name in the German Bundesliga at Schalke 04 is between the posts in Lars Unnerstall.
It certainly won't be easy when we host one of the most exciting clubs in Dutch football on Tuesday in FC Twente. That makes your support from the stands all the more important, with tickets for the clash at the Red Bull Arena already on open sale for all registered users:
Do you want to cheer us on at De Grolsch Veste? You will find all the details on our official bus journey offering to Enschede here:
