'You can't write off Le Bris' team in European race'
[Getty Images] It's the Radio 1 Big Weekend in Sunderland and it's even bigger weekend for the city's football club, who on Sunday face Chelsea in a match that IF they win and the results at Liverpool or Brighton - or indeed both - go their way, could be playing European football for the first time in 53 years. The tantalising prospect of a Conference League final in Istanbul, or even a Europa League final in Frankfurt, would have seemed idiotic if the idea had been mooted to Sunderland fans last summer after the exultation of their dramatic Championship play-off final win. Finishing 17th was the only thing on most fans' minds.
Now, though, every conversation with a Sunderland supporter begins with talk of qualifying for Europe. Chelsea, of course, stand in their way, the current holders of the Conference League title. But, Sunderland have a tendency to keep going 'til the end and in front of a sell-out crowd at the Stadium of Light, which will be rocking on the final afternoon of the season, you can't write off Regis le Bris' team.
Despite Chelsea's superior record at the Stadium of Light, the stark fact is just one point separates the two teams and, with Le Bris' side showing an intensity and energy in recent weeks, you would not rule out an urgent review of passport expiry dates and a reappraisal of a European map long left to gather dust in the loft. Explore Sunderland content on BBC Sounds