Trabzonspor's opponents for the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage have been confirmed. The draw took place on Friday, 28 August, placing the Turkish side in Group H.
The club finished third in the Süper Lig last season and was eliminated from the UEFA Europa League play-off round by Ferencváros. That result sent Trabzonspor into the Conference League. According to Fotomac, the European journey will now continue in this new format. The team is also maintaining its strong domestic start. With one win and one draw from two matches, Trabzonspor sits fourth in the league with 4 points, just 2 points behind leaders Gençlerbirliği. They have started the season with 3 goals scored and 2 conceded for a +1 goal difference.
Which teams will they face?
Trabzonspor will face five different opponents in Group H. They will open their campaign away to Serbian side Red Star Belgrade (Crvena zvezda). Their second match is another away trip, to Finland's KuPS. The first home game will be against Scotland's Hearts. The fourth match sees them host Czech side Jablonec. The final group match is an away fixture against Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia. This schedule will shape the team's travel itinerary and preparation plans. You can check for fixture clashes on our fixtures page.
What is the pedigree of these opponents?
The recent European pedigree of the opponents varies. Red Star Belgrade competed in European cups last season, reaching the UEFA Europa League last 16 play-off round. They are managed by Albert Riera, with Vasilije Kostov as a key player. KuPS also played in Europe last season, advancing to the UEFA Europa Conference League last 32. Under manager Miika Nuutinen, their star player is Jaime Moreno. The other three opponents did not participate in European cups last season. Hearts, managed by Wouter Vrancken, rely on Cláudio Braga. Jablonec, coached by Jan Chramosta, features Lubos Kozel. CSKA Sofia is led by Hristo Yanev, with Leandro Godoy as an important figure.
How will Süper Lig form translate to Europe?
Trabzonspor enters the European competition with positive domestic form. The team is unbeaten in two league matches and will host Kocaelispor on 20 December. That match will be a critical Süper Lig fixture following the European group stage. The team's defensive organization and attacking efficiency will be tested both locally and on the continent. For updates on player fitness, visit our injuries page. The current squad depth will be decisive in managing the congested schedule.
What does this draw mean for the campaign?
The draw has handed Trabzonspor a challenging but navigable group. Travel to diverse geographical regions presents a logistical test. However, alongside opponents with recent European experience, there are also teams less seasoned at this level. This opens a window of opportunity for the Turkish club. While trailing the league leader by 2 points in the title race, the team aims to maintain its ambition in Europe too. The group stage will provide a platform for the technical staff to test rotation and tactical flexibility. You can check the early-season table on our standings page. Consistency in performance across both league and European competitions in the coming weeks will be key to the season's objectives.
