Brighton were left to accept a 0‑0 result after a hard‑fought encounter with a resolute Tromso side in the opening leg of their UEFA Conference League play‑off. The Seagulls, who were playing their first competitive match of the new campaign, appeared to struggle at times against a Norwegian outfit that was in the middle of its own domestic season. The draw means that Brighton must produce a decisive performance at the Amex Stadium in the return fixture next Thursday, as any victory will be sufficient to see them through to the group stage of the competition. Ahead of the match, manager Fabian Hurzeler had warned that midfielder Carlos Baleba would miss the trip due to a minor injury, a situation that has been further complicated by reports linking the player with a possible transfer to Manchester United.
Despite Baleba’s absence, Brighton will soon turn their attention to the start of the Premier League season, where they are slated to host Aston Villa at the Amex on Sunday at 2 p.m., a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The match itself offered a series of dramatic moments that highlighted both teams' determination. In the 29th minute, Tromso goalkeeper Haugaard made a spectacular save from distance after a powerful strike from Brighton’s Rutter, who had unleashed a 25‑yard effort that forced the keeper to dive to his left and push the ball wide. Just a minute later, a corner was delivered, and the ball fell to Brighton’s Osman, who chest‑controlled it before unleashing a thunderous volley.
Haugaard once again proved his reflexes, smothering the shot and forcing a corner for Tromso. The first half continued with chances on both sides.
In added time of the half, a well‑taken corner from Gross found Boscagli in the box. Unmarked, the defender rose to meet the ball, only to head it over the bar, missing a golden opportunity to break the deadlock.
The second half saw Tromso threaten again in the 49th minute when Edvardsson’s pass found Heine Larsen. The ball slipped under the flag, but Brighton’s goalkeeper Verbruggen sprinted forward from his line to make a crucial save, preserving the clean sheet.
Midway through the second half, Brighton’s Ayari began to assert himself, carving out space and taking a shot that was ultimately palmed away, showcasing his growing influence on the pitch. Later, in the 75th minute, a superb cross from Cozier‑Duberry found Kostoulas in the penalty area. Despite the quality of the delivery, Kostoulas headed the ball over, missing a clear chance to give his side the lead. Near the end of the match, Tromso’s Vadebu found himself in a one‑on‑one situation after a defensive lapse from Vuskovic.
He entered the box cleanly but sent his shot wide, squandering what could have been a decisive goal. After the final whistle, Hurzeler addressed the club’s media, offering a measured assessment of the performance. He noted, "We anticipated exactly the way Tromso would set themselves up. They were compact, defensively disciplined, and had several players crowding the box to block our shots.
Their goalkeeper was excellent, and they transitioned well when they won the ball." He continued, "We created chances, but ultimately we have to be content with a draw, even though it isn’t the result we were hoping for." The manager also reflected on the team’s overall control of the game, acknowledging that the Seagulls were not quick enough in possession. "We had a few opportunities, but Tromso defended brilliantly. They generated two big chances from transition moments where we need to be more vigilant defensively.
Overall, they were a tough opponent, exactly as we expected," he said. Looking ahead, Hurzeler emphasized the importance of the upcoming second leg. "Now we are looking forward to the chance to win the game in front of our own fans.
There are specific areas we must improve against Tromso. They are a quality football side, so we will need to perform at our highest level to secure victory at the Amex," he concluded. The draw sets up an intriguing second leg, where Brighton will have the advantage of home support and the knowledge that a win will see them progress to the main draw of the Conference League.
The Seagulls will need to sharpen their attacking edge, increase the tempo of their possession, and tighten up defensively during transitions to avoid giving Tromso further opportunities. Fans can also look forward to the Premier League opener against Aston Villa, which promises to be a high‑profile clash as Brighton seeks to start the 2026/27 season on a positive note. The match will be available on Sky Sports, with a kickoff time of 2 p.m. on Sunday.
In addition, Sky Sports is promoting its Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £1 million for free entry.