Brann produced a stunning away performance to thrash AEK Larnaca 4-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff on August 28, 2025. The Norwegian side all but secured a historic place in the group stage with a breathtaking display in Cyprus. Brann took an early lead and never looked back, adding a second before halftime to stun the home crowd. The second half saw more of the same, as Brann's energetic pressing and incisive passing tore the AEK defense apart, resulting in two more well-taken goals. AEK Larnaca, usually strong at home in Europe, were completely overwhelmed and unable to mount any significant response. The result gives Brann an enormous advantage for the second leg in Bergen, where they will be heavy favorites to complete the job. The Brann coach called it a perfect European night, while the AEK manager described the defeat as a painful and unacceptable result.