The last ever Uefa Cup final features Werder Bremen and Shakhtar Donetsk, both teams overcoming their countrymen in the semi-final to give them the opportunity to life the famous trophy for the final time. Next season, The Europa League is European soccer’s second biggest tournament featuring an extended format compared to this season’s affair. The Uefa Cup has struggled for prominence in recent years due to the style and glamour of the Champions League but the tournament has seen some of the famous names and famous soccer strips throughout the years.
The first final was an all English affair The tournament began in the early 1970s, taking over from the Fairs Cup and the first final was a two legged affair between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. It may seem that the English dominance of European soccer is a very modern thing given how often the instantly recognizable soccer jerseys from the English Premier League make it the last four of the Champions League but the first Uefa Cup final indicates there has always been strength about this nations European entrants. The match was vividly remembered as the all white soccer kit of Spurs clashed with the vibrant gold soccer equipment from Wolves, with the London club running out eventual winners by a score of 3-1 over two legs. The Uefa Cup final was played over two legs until 1997, since when it has been a straight one-off game. The most successful teams in Uefa Cup history are Juventus, Inter Milan and Liverpool, who have all won the cup three times. All three of these teams have a very notable and proud European soccer history and all three have markings on their soccer kit denoting European triumphs.
Shakhtar Donetsk or Werder Bremen will be hoping to emulate the previous winners by adding their name to the famous trophy and hopefully being allowed to keep the trophy for good. Shakhtar earned their place in the final by overcoming Dynamo Kiev with a 1-1 draw in the away leg giving the team the platform to finish the job at home. Shakhtar’s vivid orange home top is not too dissimilar to the soccer jersey worn by Wolves in the very first Uefa Cup final and no doubt the Ukrainian team will be looking to go one better than the Midlands club.
Away victories in the German semi-final. Werder Bremen’s passage to the final was very different with a 1-0 defeat in their home tie placing them as massive underdogs to progress to the final. Driven on by Diego, Werder Bremen pulled off a sparkling display in Hamburg as they overturned the deficit and shocked the home side by recording a 3-2 victory, which saw them on the road to Istanbul by virtue of the away goals rule. This was enough to place the team into the final with a high level of confidence and it is shaping up to be an exciting encounter and one that will last in the history books.
Shakhtar Donestk or Werder Bremen may not be the biggest names in European soccer nor do they have soccer jerseys worn by fans the world over but there is no doubt that both teams will be looking to serve up some entertainment for their fans and soccer fans in general in the Uefa Cup Final.
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