This was the scene as Albion arrived at Tromso (Image: Newsquest)
This was the scene as Albion arrived at Tromso (Image: Newsquest)
Fabian Hurzeler has urged Albion players to seize the opportunity they worked for last season.
And that means coming through a two-leg Conference League play-off with Tromso.
The Seagulls will secure a place in the group stage if they get the better of the Norwegian Elitserien high-flyers over the next eight days.
Hurzeler and his captain Lewis Dunk faced the media in a brief press conference on the eve of the first leg at the Romssa Stadum, which will be packed to its near-7,000 capacity on Thursday.
The head coach said: “We know it’s a big game, a big opportunity for us.
“We will face a strong opponent. We saw a lot of games and their style of play, how they try to play football from the back.
“How intense they press is very impressive.
“We should be ready. The main message will be that we need to focus on us.
“That we need to bring our qualities on the pitch and hopefully we can be successful.”
Albion had a look at the artificial pitch but did not train.
Hurzeler said: “It is, of course, a different pitch but we don’t want to use it as an excuse.
“Next week they will come to our stadium.
“Tomorrow, we play in their artificial grounds.
“Of course, it will be a change for the players but I am sure they will get used to it quickly and then we should be ready.
“I saw a group that really enjoys being here, that is sticking together. That tries to get a feeling of the pitch.
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“We will try to play our game and be successful.
“There is a big opportunity for us. The boys worked hard through the whole season.
“They went through the highs and lows together but we always showed resilience.
“This is the reward we get from this and especially the work from the players.
“They always stick together, they aways faced the adversity we had through a season.
“Now it is up to the players that we will finish this work by being successful in these two games.
“We know it will be a tough opponent but that is our goal.”