Features
DOM 07.06.2015
The Liga BBVA’s superiority on the European stage over the last few years is undeniable. Spanish sides have won 6 UEFA Champion League and 7 UEFA Europa League titles, a total of 13 European trophies. The gulf between the Spanish topflight and the next most successful league in this regard is enormous. The Premier League only has 5 such accolades (3 UEFA Champions League, 2 UEFA Europa League).
Real Madrid were the first team to seal a European title in the twenty first century. Los blancos lifted their ninth UEFA Champions League in 2002, after beating Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1 in Glasgow thanks to that now famous Zinedine Zidane goal. It was the turn of Valencia CF two years later, although on this occasion los Che were crowned the UEFA Cup champions. The then Rafa Benítez-managed side ran out winners after defeating Olympique de Marseille 2-0 through goals from Vicente Rodríguez and Mista.
2006 was one of most prolific years in Spanish footballing history. FC Barcelona clinched the second UEFA Champions League title in their club’s history following a 2-1 victory over Arsenal FC in Paris in which Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti got on the scoresheet. One week before that Sevilla FC won their first ever UEFA Cup title. The Andalusians saw off Middlesbrough FC 4-0 courtesy of an Enzo Maresca brace and two goals from Luis Fabiano and Frédéric Kanouté.
Sevilla FC won their first two UEFA Cups back-to-back
The Seville outfit repeated the feat the following year. Sevilla FC defended their UEFA Cup title after beating another Spanish team, RCD Espanyol. The two sides were held to a 2-2 draw after extra time, with Adriano Correia and Frédéric Kanouté finding the back of the net for the Andalusians and Albert Riera and Jônatas Domingos grabbing the goals for the Catalans. Sevilla came out of top in the penalty shootout 3-1 to seal their second ever title in the tournament. Only two years were needed for a Spanish team to be crowned European champions again. Josep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona were crowned UEFA Champions League winners yet again after seeing off Manchester United 2-0 in Rome. Goals from Samuel Eto'o and Leo Messi resulted in los azulgranas being able to celebrate their third such title. It was the turn of Atlético Madrid to fly the Spanish flag on the continental stage in 2010 by winning the UEFA Europa League. Los rojiblancos overcame the challenge of Fulham FC after extra time, with the game finishing 2-1. Diego Forlán put the Madrid outfit in front, but Simon Davis got an equaliser for the Londoners shortly afterwards. The Uruguayan talisman got the winning goal to avoid penalties.
The success alternated between Barcelona and Atlético between 2009 and 2012
Barcelona tasted European more glory after lifting the UEFA Champions League at the expense of Manchester United once again in 2011. Pep Guardiola’s charges won their fourth continental crown in a Wembley final, the same setting in which the Catalans were bestowed with the title in 1992. Goals from Pedro Rodríguez, Leo Messi and David Villa cancelled out Wayne Rooney’s effort, with the final finishing 3-1.
Barcelona and Atlético alternating of European success was confirmed in 2012. Los rojiblancos won the UEFA Europa League again that year after beating Athletic Club in the Bucharest final. The Madrid outfit thumped the Basques 3-0 thanks to a Radamel Falcao brace and a Diego Ribas goal.
In 2014, just like in 2006, Liga BBVA won both the Europa League and the Champions League
In 2013 the run of Spanish clubs in Europe was ended as they did not win a title, however a year on, in2014, they achieved excellence in both. Sevilla FC won their third UEFA Europa League in Turin after drawing 0-0 with Benfica before winning on penalties. In the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid downed Atlético in the final in Lisbon. The Rojiblancos went ahead through Diego Godín, however in added time Sergio Ramos sent the game into extra time. In these 30 minutes Madrid came back to win the décima thanks to goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo.
This season Spain has once again won the European double. Sevilla won their fourth Europa League in Warsaw as they downed Dnipro FC 3-2 thanks to goals from Grzegorz Krychowiak and a Carlos Bacca double. On the other hand, FC Barcelona lifted their fifth Champions League after downing Juventus 1-3 with goals from Ivan Rakitić, Luis Suárez and Neymar.
The UEFA Supercup, a private Spanish party
In addition to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League titles, the UEFA Supercup will go to a Liga BBVA side. Indeed, in the last 15 matches played, Spanish teams have won eight. Real Madrid (2002 and 2014), Barcelona (2009 and 2011) and Atlético Madrid (2010 and 2012), with two Supercups each are the Spanish sides leading the way. Valencia (2004) and Sevilla (2006) complete the list. There have also been three more finalists: on two occasions Sevilla have been runners up (2007 and 2014) and Barcelona (2006) once.
|
League |
UEFA Champions League |
UEFA Europa League |
UEFA Supercup |
Total* |
|
Liga BBVA |
6 |
7 |
8 |
21 |
|
Premier League |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
|
Serie A |
3 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
|
Bundesliga |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Primeira Liga |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
Russian Premier League |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Eredivisie |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Ukranian Premier League |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
*Titles since the 2000/2001 season
© LALIGA - 2015