La Liga BBVA dominated the UEFA Europa League

Liga BBVA sides continue to dominate the UEFA Europa League following Sevilla FC’s latest win against FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. Since the competition became the UEFA Europa League following the previous name of the UEFA Cup, Spanish sides have won it in four of the six editions.

It all started in the 2009/10 season when Atlético Madrid won in Hamburg against Fulham. The side, who were at the time managed by Quique Sánchez Flores downed the English side in extra time thanks to a goal from Diego Forlán. The final score was 2-1 and the Rojiblancos, in addition to winning the first Europa League in its new format, lifted their first European trophy in 48 years.

In 2012 came Atleti’s second

The side from the capital got to the final in the 2011/12 season, a campaign that saw Spanish domination, with three of the four semi-finalists coming from Liga BBVA. Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club and Valencia CF were in the last four, with Sporting Clube de Portugal completing the line-up. The final in Bucharest saw Diego Simeone’s outfit lift the trophy thanks to a Radamel Falcao inspired3-0 win over the Basque side.  

Atlético de Madrid won the title twice; in 2010 and 2012

Sevilla’s turn

In the 2013/14 edition side’s from this country carried on their love affair with the tournament. Valencia and Sevilla met in the semi-finals in a game that the Andalusian outfit took the spoils thanks to a last minute Stéphane M'Bia effort. Benfica of Portugal awaited in the final, and a tense match went to penalties, that finished 4-2 in the Spanish side’s favour. Goalkeeper Antonio Alberto Bastos 'Beto', was the hero on the night as he saved two spot kicks.

Sevilla have won their second consecutive UEFA Europa League just as they did in 2006 and 2007

This trophy sees Sevilla lift the cup for the first time in seven years. They won the trophy in both 2006 and 2007 when the competition was in its old format. Before the Andalusians, other Liga BBVA sides to have won the UEFA Cup were  Valencia in 2004 and Real Madrid in 1985 and 1986.