Vigo Lives the European Night: Celta Chases Historic Comeback

Today, Thursday, April 16, 2026, Balaídos transforms into a roaring fortress at 6:45 PM CEST for the return leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals. Celta de Vigo hosts Freiburg with the epic mission of overturning a daunting 0-3 deficit from the first leg in Germany.

Epic Training Session at Balaídos with Thousands of Fans

This very morning at 11:00 AM, over 3,500 celestes packed the stands of Abanca Balaídos for an unforgettable open training session. From 10:30 AM, entire families, fan groups, and kids with scarves cheered Iago Aspas, Swedberg, and Claudio Giráldez as they fine-tuned tactics for the miracle. The atmosphere was deafening, setting the perfect tone for the European battle.

From Unbeaten in Europe to the German Blow

Before the 0-3 Freiburg setback (Grifo 10', Beste 32', Ginter 78'), Celta was unstoppable in the competition: knocked out PAOK in the round of 16 (3-1 aggregate, epic 2-1 win in Thessaloniki) and beat Lyon in the playoff round (key victory in France). Earlier phases featured thrashings of Dinamo Zagreb (3-0) and Nice (2-1), cementing Swedberg and Strand Larsen as a lethal duo.

Vigo, Celeste Capital on Pause

Excitement overflows every corner since dawn:

• Fan gatherings: O Berbés, A Cova Celtic, and Praza América set up giant screens with empanada and queimada.

• Public squares: Plaza de España filled with kids painted as Aspas and Swedberg.

• Streets gridlocked: Gran Vía and Beiramar blaring nonstop celeste honks.

• 28,000 official tickets sold out in just 30 minutes for season ticket holders and general public.

WHERE TO WATCH THE MATCH?

• Spain TV: Movistar+ (dial 7), M+ Liga de Campeones 2 (dial 61)

• Galicia: TVG with Galician commentary

• Streaming: Official Movistar+ app, UEFA.tv website

Likely lineup: Villar; Mingueza, Starfelt, Urošević, Javi Rodríguez; Ilaix Moriba, Dotor; Zalewski, Beltrán, Swedberg; Strand Larsen.

6:45 PM CEST - Movistar+ and TVG -