TSG Hoffenheim begin their UEFA Europa League group stage campaign on Thursday (16:45 UTC). The first European match of the season sees Pellegrino Matarazzo's side travel to Crete to face Greek representatives OFI.

The European opener follows an important Bundesliga home victory. Last Saturday, Hoffenheim secured three key points with a 2-1 win over VfB Stuttgart. Adam Hložek was the match-winner with a brace. The Czech attacker is currently the team's top scorer this season with two goals in three league appearances.

The result leaves the team in 13th place in the Bundesliga table with three points from three matches. Recent form shows a mixed record of two wins, one draw, and two losses from the last five outings. The away run started with a 4-0 victory at Erzgebirge Aue in the DFB-Pokal, followed by a 3-2 defeat in Cologne.

For the trip to Greece, Matarazzo could rely on the trusted starting eleven from the weekend. In the win over Stuttgart, Hoffenheim lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Oliver Baumann in goal. The back four consisted of Vladimír Coufal, Ozan Kabak, Ardian Hajdari and Micky van de Ven. The midfield featured Bambasé Conté, Leon Avdullahu, Wouter Burger and Adam Daghim, with Adam Hložek and Tim Lemperle leading the attack.

OFI Crete, from the Greek Super League, have not impressed in their recent pre-season friendlies, recording two losses and a draw. Preparations for the new campaign have been bumpy for the club from Heraklion.

Immediately after the Europa League opener, Hoffenheim face another away trip in the Bundesliga on Sunday. They will travel to face 15th-placed SC Paderborn 07. Hoffenheim's first Europa League match of the season is scheduled for 17 September 2026 at 16:45 UTC.

Hoffenheim begins their Europa League campaign on Thursday at 18:45 against OFI Crete. Manager Christian Ilzer said his team goes into the match as the "clear favourite". The game will be broadcast on Nitro and Sky. TSG have scored six goals and conceded seven this season. Two years ago, the club was eliminated in the Europa League group stage as 27th in the table.