Match Preview: Lincoln vs FC Twente

European football returns to Gibraltar this evening as we prepare to take on FC Twente in matchday two of the UEFA Conference League league phase.

After last week's narrow 2-1 defeat away to Norwegian side SK Brann, Juanma Pavón's side will look to build on the positives from an encouraging Bergen performance as we aim to secure our first points of this season's European campaign.

FC Twente's visit is another exciting occasion for the club and our supporters, with the Imps preparing to test themselves against opposition from one of Europe's most established footballing leagues.

Looking to build on our performance in Norway

Our UEFA Conference League campaign began last Thursday with a hard-fought encounter against SK Brann in Bergen.

After an impressive first-half defensive display, we took the lead on the hour mark through Kike, who reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area following Nano's free-kick to fire home our first goal of this season's league phase.

Despite our efforts, the Norwegian side fought back to secure a 2-1 victory, leaving us without points from our opening fixture.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of encouraging signs from our performance, and the squad will be determined to carry those positives into tonight's clash.

We also enter the fixture on the back of a 2-1 domestic victory over Lynx, with Alex Mula producing two outstanding goals, including a spectacular effort from the halfway line, to maintain our unbeaten start to the Gibraltar Football League season.

The opposition: FC Twente

Our opponents arrive in Gibraltar with three points already on the board following a 1-0 home victory against Swiss side FC Thun in their opening UEFA Conference League fixture.

Managed by John van den Brom, FC Twente are an established Eredivisie outfit with considerable experience in Dutch and European football.

The Enschede-based side have enjoyed a strong start to the season, recording several impressive domestic results, including a 3-2 victory over PSV Eindhoven in September.

However, they head into tonight's encounter looking to respond to a 2-1 home defeat against FC Utrecht last weekend, a result which brought their nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions to an end.

Twente will undoubtedly provide a stern test, with their technical quality and attacking threat presenting another challenge for our squad.

Another familiar name among the visitors is former Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst, who joined FC Twente from Ajax during the summer. The Dutch international has reunited with Erik ten Hag, who previously managed him at Old Trafford and now serves as FC Twente's Technical Director. The pair were part of Manchester United's 2022/23 Carabao Cup-winning campaign, adding further experience and pedigree to the Dutch club ahead of tonight's encounter.

Another European night at Europa Point

Tonight's fixture marks our return to European action on home soil, where we have enjoyed some memorable occasions in recent seasons.

Among those was last season's unforgettable 2-1 victory over Polish champions Lech Poznań, when Christian Rutjens' late header secured a landmark result for the club and Gibraltar football.

That evening demonstrated the importance of our supporters and the atmosphere they can create at the Europa Point Stadium, something we will be hoping to experience once again tonight.

With another major European opponent visiting Gibraltar, Juanma Pavón and his players will be determined to produce a competitive performance and give our supporters another occasion to remember.

The challenge will be significant, but the Imps have shown throughout our European journey that we are capable of competing against strong opposition, and tonight presents another opportunity to demonstrate that determination on the European stage.

A special occasion for Eersteling & Clara Pinto

Tonight's encounter will also hold particular significance for Dutch duo Julliani Eersteling and Nico Clara Pinto, who have the opportunity to face a club from their home country on the European stage.

Having both played an important role in our European campaign, Eersteling and Clara Pinto will be hoping to help the Imps produce another strong performance against familiar opposition in front of our home supporters.

Match information

Competition: UEFA Conference League – League Phase, Matchday 2

Fixture: Lincoln Red Imps vs FC Twente

Date: Thursday 22 October 2026

Kick-off: 9:00pm

Venue: Europa Point Stadium

Live Coverage: Gibtelecom TV