Cup Winners' Cup

:For the Asian competition, see Asian Cup Winners Cup.

Related Topics:
Asian - Asian Cup Winners Cup

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The Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition between the winners of the European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been run by the UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960/61 season, and the last in 1998/99. The competition was then merged into the UEFA Cup.

Related Topics:
Football - Europe - UEFA - UEFA Cup

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No club managed to retain the Cup Winners' Cup, although FC Barcelona won it on four occasions (1979, 82, 89, 97) and finished runners up twice (1969, 91). R.S.C. Anderlecht won it twice (1976, 78), and finished runners up twice (1977, 90); in addition, four finals over five years between 1993 and 1997 saw the holder reach the final the next year only to lose (Parma 1993 and 1994, Arsenal 1994 and 1995, Paris Saint Germain 1996 and 1997).

Related Topics:
FC Barcelona - R.S.C. Anderlecht

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During its existence, the cup was regarded as the second most important European club competition out of three; behind the UEFA Champions League and ahead of the UEFA Cup. It was eventually scrapped however, as in many new European countries the domestic cup competition was seen to be of little value compared to the prestigious, old tournaments of Western Europe, such as the FA Cup and the Scottish Cup. In addition, these cups were often won by the domestic league winners who would then qualify for the Champions' League leaving only the runner-up to participate.

Related Topics:
UEFA Champions League - UEFA Cup - FA Cup - Scottish Cup

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