Ahead of the Europa League final clash between Sevilla and Roma, we take a look at some of the most fascinating facts about UEFA’s second tier European club competition.
The Europa League, Europe’s second-tier club football competition, often takes a back seat to its prestigious sibling, the UEFA Champions League. But it’s a competition that boasts its own intriguing tales and fascinating facts. As Roma and Sevilla go head-to-head in Wednesday night’s final here are five things you probably never knew about the Europa League.
1. Formerly known as the UEFA Cup
Before its rebranding in 2009, the Europa League was known as the UEFA Cup. Established in 1971, the UEFA Cup had a rich history of its own, featuring legendary clubs and memorable matches. The name change was aimed at revitalizing the competition and giving it a fresh identity.
Almost 20 years exactly since lifting the UEFA Cup with Porto, his first European triumph as a manager, Jose Mourinho undoubtedly faces one of his stiffest tests yet. https://t.co/XEjCkvd0lF
— CNN International (@cnni) May 31, 2023
2. Unique group stage format
Unlike the Champions League’s group stage, which consists of eight groups of four teams, the Europa League boasts a distinct group stage format. It features twelve groups of four teams each, resulting in a total of 48 teams competing for a place in the knockout stages. This format ensures a wide range of matchups and adds to the tournament’s unpredictability.
The UEFA Europa League 2022/2023, Competition Format, Group Stage, Knockout Stages, Final#europaleague #europaleague2023/2024 #uefa #europaleagueknocoutstage #europaleaguegroupstage #manchesterunited #arsenal #championsleague #europaconferenceleague https://t.co/UGRcO1knQJ
— Gautam Kapoor (@gautamkapoor54) November 5, 2022
3. Unbeaten Run of Sevilla FC
Wednesday night’s finalists Sevilla boast a remarkable history in the Europa League, winning the competition a record six times. Such has their dominance been in the competition that the teams with the next most competition titles are Inter Milan, Liverpool, Juventus and Atletico Madrid, each of whom have won it three times. Sevilla have never finished as runners up, winning each of the six finals that they have played in.
Europa League Final tonight at 10PM.Sevilla vs As Roma🔥🔥
— Chris Migwambo (@CMigwambo) May 31, 2023
~Sevilla have never lost a Europa league final they have played in.
~Jose Mourinho is unbeaten in any UEFA final.And so we have a final.#dajeromadaje#EuropaLeague #UELfinal#LaJoya #Roma #Sevilla #SevillaRoma pic.twitter.com/DonW1nrNaW
4. Longest Penalty Shootout
The Europa League final in 2021 was between Villarreal and Manchester United. The game ended 1-1 and went to penalties. It took a whopping 22 kicks before a shot didn’t go in. That meant all the outfield players on both sides converted their shots, as did the Villarreal keeper Geronimo Rulli. Rulli then proved himself the hero as he went the right way and saved opposite number David de Gea effort to secure the title for The Yellow Submarine.
Europa League finalists Villarreal and Manchester United meet again, this time in the #UCL group stage 👀
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) August 26, 2021
📺👇 Relive that epic 21-penalty shootout from the 2021 #UELfinal https://t.co/iB7SKRBHcW pic.twitter.com/4imClmV4LC
5. Pathway to the Champions League
The Europa League isn’t just a standalone competition; it also offers a pathway to the prestigious UEFA Champions League. The winner of the Europa League automatically qualifies for the following season’s Champions’ League group stage. This adds an extra incentive for clubs, as it provides an opportunity to compete against Europe’s elite and potentially earn a coveted spot in the pinnacle of club football.
