UEFA Europa League

UEFA Europa League

Football League
UEFA Europa League

1971


The Europa League, originally known as the UEFA Cup, is a continental club competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Considered the second most prestigious in Europe after the Champions League, the competition was inaugurated in the 1971-72 season, with the aim of expanding international participation to clubs that did not qualify for the existing competitions: the European Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup. The competition took its current name in the 2009-10 season after integrating the Intertoto Cup, a qualifying summer tournament. Since the 2014-15 edition, the champion gets a place in the next edition of the Champions League.

Origins and early years (1971-1981)

The competition was inaugurated in the 1971-72 season, originally under the name of the UEFA Cup, with the purpose of offering a platform for international competition to clubs that did not qualify for the European Cup or the European Cup Winners' Cup. The inspiration came from the International Fair Cities Cup, a tournament for teams from cities with international fairs. The first edition featured 64 teams from 32 federations, with clubs from northern and central Europe dominating from the start, especially from England, the Netherlands and Germany. Tottenham Hotspur F.C. became the first winner, marking the beginning of an era in which English clubs, such as Liverpool FC, and German clubs, such as Borussia Mönchengladbach, dominated the competition.

English and German dominance (1981-1990)

During this decade, teams from England and Germany continued to excel in the competition, with clubs such as IFK Göteborg and Real Madrid also emerging as competitive forces. It was an era of consolidation for the UEFA Cup, where some of the rivalries and narratives that endure to this day began to be forged. Teams such as Juventus, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid began to make their mark, marking the beginning of their history in European competitions.

Expansion and evolution (1990-2009)

The competition continued to evolve and expand, with a greater diversity of winning clubs from different parts of Europe. The introduction of more teams from lower leagues increased the competitiveness and interest in the UEFA Cup. During this era, clubs such as Parma, Galatasaray and Valencia CF made their mark by winning the tournament. This era also witnessed memorable moments and individual records, such as the achievements of outstanding players who became legends of their clubs and the competition.

Rebirth as the Europa League (2009-present)

In the 2009-10 season, the competition was renamed the Europa League, ushering in a new era with significant changes to the format and presentation. This change sought to revitalize the competition, increasing its prestige and attractiveness for both clubs and fans. Sevilla FC has dominated this era, becoming the most successful club with a total of seven titles, closely followed by teams such as Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea FC. The introduction of a Champions League place for the winner increased competitiveness and the desire of teams to win the tournament.

Most successful teams

Sevilla FC: With seven titles, Sevilla FC is the most successful club in the history of the Europa League/UEFA Cup. Their victories have helped cement their reputation in Europe and have been instrumental in the growth of Spanish soccer in European competitions.

Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, and Atletico Madrid: These clubs have won the tournament three times each, highlighting their consistency and success in European competitions over the years.

Other notable clubs: Teams such as Borussia Mönchengladbach, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, IFK Göteborg, Parma, Feyenoord, Porto, Chelsea, and Eintracht Frankfurt have won the tournament on multiple occasions, demonstrating the diversity and competitiveness of the Europa League/UEFA Cup throughout its history.