New Euro test for Dortmund

European football will take Borussia Dortmund to the very edges of the continent. Following a win over Austrian side Wolfsberger AC, Thomas Tuchel takes his squad to Norway to take on Odds BK, albeit in unusual conditions with an artificial surface awaiting them following yesterday's journey on small aircraft.

There will be no 60,000 sell-out - as Dortmund managed in the last round setting a new UEFA Europa League record - but it does offer more humble preparations ahead of Bundesliga trips to clubs like Ingolstadt. "Every victory is a good result and we have to be a team that blank out the conditions. Whether full stadium, empty stadium or no stadium," Tuchel said at the pre-match press conference.

Not included in the trip to Norway was Marco Reus who was 'voluntarily' omitted from the squad, perhaps as a concern over the artificial surface that Dortmund will play on. However, Tuchel emphatically confirmed he wasn't injured amid concerns over previous ankle problems. The Dortmund boss will be without right-back Lukasz Piszczek who suffered an injury yesterday. A long-term diagnosis of the Polish international's injury will be made this week.

"It will be a good test of character for the players," said left-back Marcel Schmelzer who has excelled under the new coaching team at Signal Iduna Park. Borussia Dortmund come off the back of an impressive 4-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach to kickoff the 53rd Bundesliga season after victories over Wolfsberg in Europe and Chemnitz in the German Cup.

All focus on Europe

The Europa League has formed a crucial part of Tuchel's preparations so far as the yellow-and-blacks look to succeed in Europe's minor competition - a Champions League place, however, is on offer for the eventual winner in May. "The next hurdle is ahead with Odds BK. We are the clear favorites in this encounter," said sporting director Michael Zorc. "And our aim is to go through, no ifs or buts."

"We expect a physically strong opponent who is playing a very British type of game," explained Tuchel who expects his opponent to play 4-1-4-1. The Norwegians are fifth in their domestic league after 20 games and are competing in European competition for the third time in their history. So far, Odds have come through three rounds with wins over Irish side Shamrock Rovers and Sweden's Elfsborg. "It's a huge opportunity for them to prove themselves," Tuchel added.

In attack, former Kaiserslautern and Greuther Fürth player Olivier Occéan is the most recognizable name, the Canadian striker back at the club for his second spell. Meanwhile, 41-year-old Frode Johnsen is still part of Dag-Eilev Fagermo's squad after a career that has taken him from Rosenborg to Japan.

There are 21 other matches in the playoff round featuring most notably Turkish giants Fenerbahce who head for Athens-based side Atromitos, while Ajax take on Jablonec at home after being knocked out Champions League competition by Rapid Vienna.