Torreense's Vásquez: 'We came to compete, not for an outing'
After Torreense's first-ever European win, 2-1 at Lillestrom, defender Javi Vásquez says the result boosts confidence for their struggling league campaign.
Torreense won 2-1 away to Lillestrom in the opening round of the Europa League, the first victory in a European competition in the Portuguese club's history.
Left-back Javi Vásquez, who set up the winning goal, spoke to Record after the final whistle.
"We did not come here for an outing. We came to compete, to show that there is a high level in Portugal, and we want to show that always. It is the start of a beautiful story, now it is about carrying on," Vásquez said.
He added: "We knew it would not be easy to face a rival of such a high level, but we trust ourselves. We had said beforehand that we were there to win. It took personality, to play as we know how, and we showed that. We were not afraid to play these matches."
On the celebrations, Vásquez said: "Incredible. Winning and starting like this away from home, with our supporters travelling so far, is a source of pride and great happiness." He also linked the result to Torreense's domestic campaign: "It was a dream to be here playing these matches. Doing it with a win makes it even better. It was the start, it gives us confidence for the league, where we did not start so well, and now it is about carrying on."
The result drew reaction well beyond Torres Vedras. Portuguese prime minister Luís Montenegro posted on X: "What a debut, Torreense. Congratulations on the 2-1 win in the Europa League. A show of determination and team spirit. A result that makes all Portuguese proud." Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, called it "one of the most beautiful pages in the history of the club from Torres Vedras" and congratulated players, staff and supporters. Foreign outlets including Argentina's Olé and The Athletic also covered the result, noting that Torreense are one of two Portuguese clubs in this season's Europa League despite not playing in Portugal's top flight.
Vásquez pointed to the league as the next target after the win in Norway. If Torreense can carry the confidence from this result into their domestic fixtures, it may help address the slow start he referred to in the Portuguese championship.
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