European Super Football

The 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match contested between Aberdeen and Real Madrid <More news and stories involving Aberdeen> It was the 23rd European Cup Winners' Cup final, a football tournament contested by the winners of each qualifying nation's national cup. The competition was eventually disbanded in the late 1990's but it often provided some special moments. This particular triumph was led by one of the greatest football bosses of all time.  SAF gains a 1983 Cup Winners Cup medal at last. The legendary manager can add one more to his vast collection, with UEFA recently granting a medal for this iconic success. The thought of a Scottish team outside of Glasgow winning a European trophy is almost unthinkable now. Depite Fergies huge part in this success, only the starting players and five substitutes received winners' medals after a famous win over Real Madrid. His Assistant manager Archie Knox and midfielder Dougie Bell, who mis...

The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a European football club competition contested annually by the winners of domestic cup competitions.  The Cup Winners' Cup was for a long time regarded by UEFA as the second biggest European club competition, behind the European Cup (now Champions League) but ahead of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (later the UEFA Cup and now Europa League). The video below explores some of the most iconic matches and moments in the competition.  One of those iconic moments in more detail 1983 final: Aberdeen 2 - 1 Real Madrid Yes you read that correctly. Aberdeen once beat Real Madrid in the final of a European competition. It was a match and occasion that put a certain Alex Ferguson in the spotlight.  Aberdeen took the lead early in the first half with a goal by Eric Black, but Real Madrid drew level following a penalty scored by Juanito in the fifteenth minute.  It remained 1-1 so the match went into extra time. The winning goal was scored for Aberdeen ...

It's time to explore another football icon. This time it's Bryan Robson.  A former player and manager that is held in high regard by so many in English and world football. The start of a fantastic career Bryan Robson started his career with West Bromwich Albion in 1972, making over 200 appearances and serving as club captain. During his time at West Brom, he scored 46 goals in 245 appearances. In 1981, he moved to Manchester United. This is where he made a name for himself.  Becoming a Manchester United legend He very quickly became the club's longest-serving captain. During his time there, he won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one Football League Cup, two FA Charity Shields, and a European Cup Winners' Cup . Known as "Captain Marvel," Robson was voted the greatest-ever Manchester United player in a 2011 poll of former players, conducted for a book celebrating the club's 19th league title. One of his finest performances for the club came in 1...

Manchester United were the first English team to win the European Cup back in 1968.  Let's have a look at some of their greatest ever nights in European competition. Click here to read more news from the often crazy world of Manchester United.    More on the 1968 European Cup final A dream come true for Sir Matt Busby. United had suffered the tragedy of Munich a decade earlier and recovered over the next few years to eventually become champions of Europe for the first time. They won 4-1 after extra time and their legendary team of the 1960's finally won the competition. Watch some highlights from the match in the video below. Barcelona at home in 1984 After Sir Matt Busby retired and before Sir Alex Ferguson took over at United in 1986, they very rarely performed well in Europe. They did have the occasional great night though. The editor of Greater Manchester Football spoke about the match: "Old Trafford has never been louder. The Stretford End was rocking in response t...

Everyone at European Super Football was saddened by the news of the passing of the iconic Kevin Campbell. A striker whose blend of finesse, power, and finishing made him a standout player at several clubs.  Campbell is best remembered for his spells at Arsenal and Everton. At Highbury, he helped The Gunners win the First Division title in 1991 and secured both the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993. He also played a crucial role in Arsenal's victory in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final against Parma in 1994. Another highlight of Campbell's career was his loan move to Everton from Turkish side Trabzonspor in March 1999. Escaping a difficult stint in Turkey, he scored nine goals in eight games, helping Walter Smith’s team avoid relegation. Campbell's popularity soared at Everton, especially after he scored the winning goal in a 1-0 Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield in September 1999. This victory was particularly memorable as it marked the last time Everton won at An...

Franz Beckenbauer is a German former professional footballer and manager.  Quick summary of his career During an illustrious career, he was nicknamed "The Emperor" because of his elegant style, dominance and leadership on the field, The first name "Franz" is reminiscent of the Austrian emperors. He is widely regarded to be one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was a versatile player who started as a midfielder, Beckenbauer made his name as a central defender. He is often credited with having invented the role of the modern sweeper. Very few players have had that level of impact on the sport.  Club career At club level with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1967 and three consecutive European Cups from 1974 to 1976. The latter feat made him the first player to win three European Cups as captain of his club. He became team manager and later president of Bayern Munich. After two spells with the New York Cosmos, he...

It's time to have a look at another football icon.  This is a slightly altered version of an article first published here on Greater Manchester Football. (Gullit played for Sampdoria between 1993 and 1995) Ruud Gullit is a Dutch legend who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. Early career In 1978, Gullit signed professionally for HFC Haarlem. He made 91 league appearances for Haarlem and scored 32 goals. He made his debut for the club at just 16 years old, becoming at the time the youngest player in the history of the Eredivisie. In his first season at the club, they finished bottom of the Eredivisie, but bounced back the following season winning the Eerste Divisie. Gullit was named as the best player in the Eerste Divisie that season. Click here to read about more football icons In the 1981–82 season, Gullit was in fine form as Haarlem finished fourth and qualified for Europe for the only time in their history.  First two transfers The young Gullit was considered ...

 It's time to explore another football icon Mark Hughes is a Welsh football coach and former player of many clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. He is the manager of Bradford City. From Old Trafford and then to Barca, Bayern and back During his playing career, he operated as a forward or midfielder. He had two spells at Manchester United. His first spell at Old Trafford came between 1980 and 1986 when he won the FA Cup in 1985. In 1986, he moved to Barcelona but this time wasn't a success for Hughes. It was during this time when had a loan spell with Bayern Munich.  In 1988, he returned to Old Trafford and had a very successful 7 years. He won the FA Cup twice, the Premier League twice, League Cup and a UEFA Cup Winners Cup. He finally left in 1995. Part of the reason for his departure was the development of the Class of 92 at Manchester United.The video below contains a good insight into his time at Old Trafford. For a period, he was up there as o...

Luis Figo is our latest icon to feature on European Super Football. Figo's journey to becoming a global superstar was remarkable.  With his immense skill, versatility, and unmatched determination, Figo etched his name in football history and left an indelible mark on the sport. In this article, we will delve into the career of this legendary footballer, also exploring one of the most controversial transfers of all time. Shining at Sporting  Figo's passion for football was evident from a young age. He joined the youth team of Sporting Lisbon, one of the renowned Portuguese clubs. His exceptional performances in the youth setup quickly caught the attention of scouts, and at just 16 years old, he made his debut for the senior team. Luis Figo in his Sporting Lisbon days is one of the greatest finds ever. pic.twitter.com/RV3ComIvLE — Old Days Football (@OldDaysFootball) March 22, 2016 The Sporting Lisbon days helped Figo hone his skills and build a strong foundation. His ...

Real Madrid 3 - 0 Pachuca Real Madrid have claimed the first-ever FIFA Intercontinental Cup with a commanding victory over Mexican side Pachuca in the final. Author - Jack L Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring at Lusail Stadium, the same venue where he netted a hat-trick in the World Cup final two years ago. Second-half goals from Rodrygo and Vinícius Jr sealed the win for Los Blancos. Mbappé put Madrid ahead just before half-time, calmly slotting home from close range after Vinícius rounded Pachuca goalkeeper Carlos Moreno. Rodrygo doubled the lead seven minutes after the break with a stunning curling strike from the edge of the area. The goal was upheld following a VAR check, as referee Jesús Valenzuela ruled that Jude Bellingham, positioned in an offside spot, hadn’t interfered with play. Click here to discover Real Madrid news and stories from European Super Football Pachuca’s captain, Salomón Rondón, tested Thibaut Courtois with a long-range free-kick, and the former West Brom an...

Various nations have discovered their opponents for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers following a draw in Zurich. Are you happy with the draw? Author - Mark Lee England, now led by new head coach Thomas Tuchel, will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra in their group. Wales find themselves up against familiar rivals Belgium, alongside North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein. Scotland’s group includes Greece, Belarus, and the loser of the Portugal v Denmark Nations League quarter-final, while Northern Ireland will take on Slovakia, Luxembourg, and the winner of the Germany v Italy Nations League clash. Matches will take place over five international breaks from March to November 2025. Group winners will secure automatic qualification for the World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, with runners-up heading into play-offs. Scotland and Northern Ireland, drawn in smaller four-team groups, will start their campaigns in September. Meanwhile, Scotland also face Greece in ...

Everyone at European Super Football was saddened by the death of Jimmy Greaves Greaves is often regarded as one England’s greatest strikers and a member of the squad that won the 1966 World Cup During his career, Greaves scored 132 goals for Chelsea in 169 matches between 1957 and 1961. He then moved to Tottenham and becoming their all-time top scorer with 266 goals in 379 appearances. He also scored 44 England goals in 57 appearances – including six hat-tricks. A statement on the Tottenham website read : “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves, not just Tottenham Hotspur’s record goalscorer but the finest marksman this country has ever seen.” It goes onto say: "there’s no question that Jimmy’s arrival in N17 made us an even better team. He was a natural goalscorer, always in the right place at the right time to add the finishing touch to another well-worked move, while he could also create his own goals, as he did on numerous occasions by g...

 Let's explore the history of the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United.  It is considered to be one of the biggest rivalries in world football along with the Old Firm derby in Scotland and the Superclásico in Argentina. Gary Neville is a player that often symbolised the rivalry between the two clubs. This means more! Fans and players of both clubs have often argued that this rivalry means more than each local rivalry. People have often said hat the rivalry has been fuelled by the proximity of the two major cities that they represent, their historic economic and industrial rivalry, significant periods of domestic footballing dominance and European success, and their popularity at home and abroad, as two of the biggest-earning and widely supported football clubs in the world. Each club can also claim a level of historical supremacy. They are the most successful English teams in domestic, European and worldwide competitions. Between them they have won 39 league tit...

 Cliftonville 3-1 Linfield Cliftonville have ended their 45-year wait for cup glory, they are Irish Cup winners for the first time since 1979.  Linfield put in a lot of effort and hard work but on the day, Cliftonville just did a little bit more. Unfortunately for their fans, Linfield fell short. Those inside the stadium had hoped for something spectacular and Hale's goal certainly delivered that. A closer look at what happened in Belfast It was ultimately two extra-time goals from Ronan Hale that handed Cliftonville the trophy . Both sides had been locked together at the end of the 90 minutes. Ethan McGee’s 14th minute opener for the Blues was cancelled out by 52nd minute header from Cliftonville’s Sam Ashford. The best reaction 4️⃣5️⃣ hours since we won the Irish Cup. pic.twitter.com/Cpez8qC4ug — Cliftonville FC 🏆 (@cliftonvillefc) May 6, 2024 Jamie, a Cliftonville fan, said: "Linfield put up a strong fight, which is why they are among the top teams in the count...

It's time to explore another football icon Denis Irwin was a key member of the Manchester United of the 90's that dominated the Premier League If you don't know much about him, this article will help you out. Before Man United Denis Irwin began his career with Leeds United in 1983, making 72 appearances in the Second Division, before moving on to Oldham Athletic on a free transfer in 1986.  Watch:  Oldham Athletic's Denis Irwin scores a free kick v Plymouth Argyle at Boundary Park 88/89 He helped Oldham reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup and the final of the League Cup in 1990. Playing a part in United's dominance  In the summer of 1990, he was transferred to Manchester United for a fee of £625,000.  In 12 years at Old Trafford, he made 296 Premier League appearances and won seven Premier League title medals, as well as two FA Cup winner's medals (1994 and 1996), a League Cup winner's medal and UEFA Champions League and European Cup Winners' Cups.  ...

Did you know there are now four European competitions? No, the European Cup Winners Cup isn't coming back. These four competitions are the Champions League, the Europa League, the Europa Conference League and the Fenix Trophy. 2021 saw a Fenix rise from the ashes of the greed of Europe's elite super league fiasco. Minnows could dream of pure football for the fans. It was new, radical & explosive. 2022 we'll be on 🔥 as we crown the inaugural champions of amateur European football. ⚽️ Happy New Year ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/iIoxY4JLDR — Fenix Trophy (@FenixTrophy) December 31, 2021 What is the Fenix Trophy? The Fenix Trophy is already well underway and features Non-League clubs from across Europe. The clubs involved are famous for a variety of reasons including clubs that have been rebuilt and run by fans and clubs featuring significant social and cultural projects. Aside from football, the FENIX Trophy will also promote friendship between clubs from several European nati...

Eintracht Frankfurt 1 - 1 Rangers (Eintracht Frankfurt win 5-4 on penalties) Rangers suffered a penalty shootout defeat in their fifth European final as Eintracht Frankfurt triumphed. Rafael Borre put home the decisive spot-kick after Aaron Ramsey was denied just moments earlier in front of the Rangers fans at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. Those same people had been euphoric when last season's Scottish champions took the lead through Joe Aribo's ice-cool second-half finish in Seville However, Borre then created some incredible scenes in a jam-packed Eintracht end 12 minutes later as he steered in a soft equaliser to send this energy-sapping contest all the way. Immediate reaction The Rangers players crumpled to their feet as the 11th-placed side in the Bundesliga prevailed in the shootout, executing five composed penalties to claim their second European trophy and a place in next season's Champions League group stages. With the Scottish Cup final in just three days...

Let's have a look at the best reaction from around the continent as Chelsea moved a step closer to the last 16 of the Champions League with a hard-fought win over Malmo. The reigning European champions ahead when Hakim Ziyech converted at the back post following a superb pass from Callum Hudson-Odoi. Post match reaction Click play on the video below to hear what Ziyech had to say about his and the team's performance in Sweden.  One Chelsea fan who commented on the above YouTube video was very positive about the win: "I absolutely love this man. True Chelsea fans will support our wizard until the very end." Another spoke to us offline and said: "It was a good win even if it wasn't the best performance. We are almost through to the next stage of the competition which is obviously the main at this stage of the season. Picking up three points in the next game would mean we can rest players for the final group game. That could be crucial." This is how the C...

PSG 4 - 0 Atletico Madrid Champions League winners start Club World Cup with emphatic win Author | Jack L Stadium | Rose Bowl Paris Saint-Germain made a commanding start to their first-ever Fifa Club World Cup campaign with a comfortable victory over Atletico Madrid in Pasadena. The newly crowned European champions controlled proceedings from the outset in the sweltering California heat, dominating possession in front of a crowd of 80,619 at the iconic Rose Bowl.  They had a remarkable 82.6% of the ball in the opening 15 minutes, setting the tone for what turned into a one-sided affair. Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring with a precise low strike from the edge of the area, giving Jan Oblak no chance. Goncalo Ramos had several opportunities to extend the lead but was wasteful in front of goal, missing the target three times. Vitinha doubled the advantage just before the break, gliding through the heart of the Atletico defence before finishing coolly past Oblak. The Slovenian goalkee...

 Lionel Messi has been named men's player of the year at the 2022 Best Fifa Awards. The World Cup winner beat French forwards Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to the prize. He captained Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, and scored 27 goals in 49 games for club and country in 2021-22. Liam, a Manchester United fan, told us: "You have to say, he deserves it. The World Cup was the crowning glory of this career." In a long statement, Messi told the media: "It's amazing. It's an honour for me to be here tonight and win this award. Without my team-mates I wouldn't be here. It was an amazing year and I achieved the dream that I've been hoping for so long and finally, I managed to achieve it." Manuel, a PSG fan, was delighted with Messi winning the award: "He deserves this award. However, more for his performances with Argentina then PSG sadly. I don't think we have seen the best of him in Paris." This is a full list of the other wi...