Nottingham Forest are back in European football after a 30-year absence, learning their opponents for the Europa League 25/26 League phase.
Forest took Crystal Palace’s spot in the Europa League after originally qualifying for the Conference League, in a summer of drama that was eventually decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In the build-up to the draw, Evangelos Marinakis expressed confidence in Forest’s Europa League chances, expecting his side to go far in the tournament.
With the eight league phase opponents now known, here are a few details we spotted that will make the competition interesting for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.
Three things spotted in Nottingham Forest’s Europa League draw
A European Cup final repeat
When Malmö qualified for the Europa League through the play-off stage, it seemed like fate would bring Forest and the Swedish side back together.
Brian Clough took on Malmö in the 1979 European Cup final when Forest won the first of consecutive trophies in what is now the Champions League, one of the most famous nights in the club’s history.
Now, in the Reds’ return to UEFA competition, the two clubs will meet once more, this time at the City Ground in what will undoubtedly be an evening of reminiscing for both sides.
Nuno Espírito Santo set for Porto reunion
The clash with Porto is probably the most high-profile of the draw given their European pedigree, but the tie will carry more emotional weight for boss Espírito Santo.
In his playing days, Nuno was predominantly a backup goalkeeper, with a spell at Porto being his most successful, given that he was on the bench when the Portuguese side won the Champions League with Jose Mourinho at the helm.
Espírito Santo also went on to manage the side in 2016, spending a year in charge before moving on to English football with Wolves. Interestingly, Nuno signed Willy Boly for Porto before taking him to Wolves and then subsequently to Forest.
Nottingham Forest will face European pedigree
Forest will feel confident that they can overcome Ferencvaros, Sturm Graz, Malmö and FC Utrecht in the League phase, but alongside Porto, they will face away trips to two sides with recent success in UEFA tournaments.
The Reds will travel to Spain to face Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis in the league phase, who are fresh off disappointment in the Conference League, having lost to Chelsea in the competition’s final.
A trip to Portugal to face Braga will be one that fans will love, but the test will be one of the strongest they’ll face in the league phase. Braga have been regulars in UEFA competitions in recent years, reaching the Europa League final in the 2010/11 campaign before losing to Porto.
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