The roar of the European nights is set to return to the City Ground as Nottingham Forest discovered their fate in the Europa League play-off draw. The Premier League outfit have been paired with Swedish titans Malmo FF, setting the stage for a mouth-watering two-legged tie in August.
This monumental clash represents a significant hurdle in Forest's journey to the competition's lucrative group stage. For manager Steve Cooper and his squad, it marks a continuation of their fairytale resurgence, taking them back onto the continent's secondary stage for the first time in decades.
A Formidable Swedish Challenge
Malmo FF are no strangers to European football, bringing a wealth of experience to this tie. The Allsvenskan powerhouse are regular contenders in UEFA competitions and will provide a stern test for Cooper's men. The first leg is scheduled to be played at Malmo's Eleda Stadion on Thursday, 24th August, with the decisive return leg at a buzzing City Ground a week later on Thursday, 31st August.
The winners of this high-stakes play-off will secure a coveted spot in the Europa League group stage, joining the likes of Liverpool, West Ham United, and Brighton & Hove Albion. The losers, however, will be transferred into the knockout round play-offs of the UEFA Europa Conference League, ensuring their European adventure continues on a different path.
The Road Back to Europe
Forest's qualification for this stage was secured through their impressive 16th-place finish in the 2022-23 Premier League season, a testament to the remarkable work done by Cooper since his arrival. The play-off round is the final gateway for clubs who did not automatically qualify for the group stages, making these matches amongst the most tense and exciting of the European calendar.
The draw signals an electrifying period ahead for the club and its passionate fanbase, who have waited a generation to see their team compete with Europe's elite once more. All eyes will now be on the City Ground as Forest prepare to write a new chapter in their storied European history.
