Brighton & Hove Albion have discovered their league phase opponents in the UEFA Conference League, following the draw in Monaco this afternoon.
The Albion beat Tromso IL 4-0 on Thursday evening to ensure qualification to the competition. Their three home opponents will be Monaco, Universitatea Craiova and Kauno Zalgiris.
Many Seagulls supporters are looking ahead to the away fixtures, which come against Panathinaikos, Getafe and Jablonec. So, here’s everything you need to know about Brighton’s away opponents, including location, estimated away allocation and points of interest in the city.
Panathinaikos, Greece
Panathinaikos are currently bottom of the Greek Super League, having not played their first game of the season yet. Last season, they finished fourth on 52 points.
Their top performer was attacking midfielder Anastasios Bakasetas, who registered eight goal contributions in the league. Their top goalscorer (9) and assist provider (6) was Andrews Tetteh.
Where is the nearest airport? The nearest airport is Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”. The stadium is a half-hour taxi journey from the airport, or you can travel via public transport in around 45 minutes.
Flights from London Gatwick to Athens International run multiple times every day and flight time is typically 3 hours and 40 minutes if you fly direct.
What’s the stadium capacity? The Olympiako Stadio’s capacity is 69,618, meaning there will be an away allocation of approximately 3,500.
What’s the city like? If you were lucky enough to go to AEK Athens away, this trip will feel very similar. The two sides’ stadiums are only a 15-minute drive away from each other.
However, if you didn’t go back in 2023-24, Athens is a city that offers plenty to do away from the football. The city is lively and extremely walkable. Monastiraki and Psyrri are among the busiest areas for visitors, while areas such as Pangrati and Petralona offer a more local feel.
Points of interest:
- Acropolis of Athens – Acropolis, Athens 105 58: The most obvious attraction, an ancient citadel and home to the Parthenon, offering some of the city’s best views.
- Panathenaic Stadium – Leof. Vasileos Konstantinou, Athens 116 35: A historic marble stadium and host of the first modern Olympic Games.
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center – Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea 176 74: This is a modern cultural centre with a large park, gardens and views towards the Aegean.
Getafe, Spain
Getafe currently sit ninth in La Liga, having won one and lost one of their opening two games of the season. Last season, they finished seventh on 51 points.
Their top scorer was Martin Satriano, who registered six league goals in his debut season for the Spanish side. 31-year-old Luis Milla was also key, providing 10 league assists, earning him a move to Italian side Como.
Where is the nearest airport? The nearest airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Getafe’s stadium is around a 25-minute drive from the airport, while Madrid’s extensive public transport network provides another option. If you stay in Madrid, it will take around an hour to get the train to the stadium.
Flights from London Gatwick to Madrid-Barajas run multiple times every day, with direct flights taking around two-and-a-half hours.
What’s the stadium capacity? The Coliseum has a capacity of 16,500, meaning there will be an away allocation of approximately 825. However, some stands are closed on matchdays as there are currently construction works going on at the stadium.
Authorities allowed a stadium capacity of 10,200 for Getafe’s last Conference League game against Partizan Beograd. This would give Brighton an away allocation of 510.
What’s the city like? Getafe is a much smaller and quieter city than Madrid, sitting just south of the Spanish capital. Most supporters will likely stay in Madrid, with Getafe easily accessible by train and Metro. If you do stay locally, the city has plenty of bars and restaurants around its centre.
Points of interest:
- Cerro de los Ángeles – Cerro de los Ángeles, 28906 Getafe, Madrid: A hill and park considered the geographical centre of the Iberian Peninsula, home to a famous monument and chapel.
- Catedral de Santa María Magdalena – Plaza Magdalena, 1, 28901 Getafe, Madrid: A historic 18th-century church and one of Getafe’s most recognisable buildings.
- Santiago Bernabeu – Av. de Concha Espina, 1, Chamartín, 28036 Madrid, Spain: For those fans staying in Madrid, you must visit Real Madrid’s stadium. Tours cost around €37 via the club website.
Jablonec, Czechia
Jablonec finished fifth in the Czech First League last season, collecting 55 points from 35 games. Their top league goalscorer was Jan Chramosta, who scored 10 times.
The Czech side have already played three league games this season, winning all three, while their run through Conference League qualifying included victories over Varazdin and RFS before their shock penalty shoot-out win over Scottish side Rangers.
Where is the nearest airport? The nearest major airport is Vaclav Havel Airport Prague. Jablonec is around a 90-minute drive from the airport, while public transport takes approximately three hours.
Flights from London Gatwick to Prague run multiple times every day, with direct flights taking around two hours.
What’s the stadium capacity? Stadion Strelnice has a capacity of 5690, with the away capacity at under 300 for UEFA matches.
What’s the city like? Jablonec is very different to Brighton’s other away trips, being a small city surrounded by forests and mountains in northern Czechia. It is known for its glass and jewellery industry.
Points of interest:
- Museum of Glass and Jewellery – U Muzea 398/4, 466 01 Jablonec nad Nisou: A museum dedicated to the city’s famous glass and jewellery industry, including the world’s largest public collection of glass Christmas decorations.
- Mseno Reservoir – Jablonec nad Nisou, 466 01: A large reservoir surrounded by walking routes and green space, popular with locals during the summer.
- Jested – Jested 1015/4, 460 08 Liberec: The distinctive mountain and television tower overlooking the region, around a 30-minute drive from Jablonec.
Written by Isabelle Martin
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