Brighton's Ghanian forward Ibrahim Osman (R) with a shot on goal during the UEFA Conference League play-offs first leg football match between Tromso and Brighton & Hove Albion at Romssa Arena in Tromso, Norway, on August 20, 2026. (Photo by Rune Stoltz Bertinussen / NTB / AFP)
Brighton were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw away to Norwegian side Tromso in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off on Thursday played 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle.
Tromso goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard produced two sharp first-half saves to deny Georginio Rutter and Ibrahim Osman as Brighton controlled much of the contest but failed to find a breakthrough.
The hosts threatened on the counter-attack as Heine Larsen was foiled by Bart Verbruggen, before Isak Vadebu wasted a golden opportunity in the closing minutes for Tromso.
Brighton are appearing in Europe for only the second time after reaching the Europa League last 16 in 2024. They will host Tromso next Thursday in the return leg.
