UEFA Europa League Odds and Sods

UEFA Europa League Odds and Sods

The UEFA Europa League has seen some incredible comebacks. In the second round of the 1984/1985 UEFA Europa League Queens Park Rangers took on Partizan Beograd. In the first leg of the competition Rangers thumped Partizan 6-2, all but burying their chances of progress to the third round. Partizan were not to be outdone and struck back in the second leg beating Rangers 4-0, and winning the tie on the away goals rule.

Michael Buskermolen of AZ Alkmaar flies over Javier Gonzalo of Villareal during the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final, first leg match between Villareal and AZ Alkmaar on April 7, 2005 at the Madrigal in Villareal, Spain.

Spain boasts the most successful UEFA Europa League clubs. In the tournament’s 49 year history Spanish clubs have won the competition 11 times, and produced seven runners up – adding up to a total of UEFA Europa League 18 finals appearances. Italy have achieved the same number of finals appearances with one less title.

German teams had a dramatic impact on the 1979/1980 UEFA Europa League season. Five German teams qualified for the competition, and all five then made it through to the quarterfinals. Each of these quarterfinals was then won by a German team, resulting in both the semi-finals and final being all-German affairs.

Italy claims the honours for dominating the UEFA Europa League for the longest unbroken stretch. The Italians have twice retained the UEFA Europa League amongst their clubs for a three year period: 1989-1991 and 1993-1995. During these two periods Inter Milan, Juventus, Parma and Napoli all lifted the cup.

The UEFA Europa League Odds and Sods award for least successful finalist in UEFA Europa League history is shared between Birmingham City, Espanyol, Borussia Dortmund and Marseille – all four teams have endured two unsuccessful UEFA Europa League final appearances.

Swedish club IFK Göteborg were the first team to complete a UEFA Europa League ‘treble’ when they won the UEFA Europa League in 1982. This victory came on top of Swedish league and cup titles the same year. Since then only three other clubs have managed to repeat this accomplishment. Winning the UEFA Europa League on top of a domestic league title is relatively more common and has been achieved by 12 clubs.

No team has won the UEFA cup three times in succession. Three Spanish clubs have won the trophy two seasons in succession, namely Real Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla FC. Sevilla had an excellent opportunity to make it three in a row in 2008, however their form carried into domestic competition and saw them instead qualify for the 2007/2008 Champions League.

If you enjoyed this UEFA Europa League Odds and Sods page check out the UEFA Europa League Records page for statistics and records from this prestigious competition.