The European Champions League, or Champions League for short, is the annual football event hosted by UEFA, the highest level football event for European clubs, and one of the most influential and highest level football events in the world. The history of the Champions League can be traced back to 1955, when the event was called Europe
The European Champions League, or Champions League for short, is the annual football event hosted by UEFA, the highest level football event for European clubs, and one of the most influential and highest level football events in the world. The history of the Champions League can be traced back to 1955, when the event was called the European Champions League, and only the champions of national leagues could participate. In 1992, the event was renamed the European Champions League, and the scope of participation was expanded to allow the top teams of national leagues to participate.
In the history of the Champions League, three Bundesliga teams have won the Champions League, namely Bayern Munich, Hamburg and Dortmund. Now, let's review the glory of the three teams in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich: King of European Championship
Bayern Munich is the most successful football club in Germany and one of the strongest teams in Europe. Bayern Munich has achieved amazing results in the European Championships, winning six European Championships in 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013 and 2020. Bayern Munich is the only team in the history of the Champions League to win the championship for three consecutive years, and also the only team in the history of the Champions League to win all the games in one season.
Bayern Munich won the first Champions League in 1974 against Atletico Madrid of Spain. The match was held at the Hessel Stadium in Brussels. The two sides were tied 1-1 within 90 minutes and entered overtime. In extra time, Bayern Munich's Muller and Hoennis scored two goals respectively to help the team win the championship 4-1. Bayern Munich won the second and third Champions League in 1975 and 1976, respectively, against France's Saint Etienne and Spain's Real Madrid. These two games were held at the Prince Park in Paris. Bayern Munich won 1-0, completing the feat of three consecutive Champions League titles.
Bayern Munich won the fourth Champions League in 2001 against Valencia of Spain. The match was held at Milan's San Siro Stadium. Within 90 minutes, the two sides reached a 1-1 draw and entered a penalty shoot out. In the penalty shootout, Bayern Munich goalkeeper Kahn saved the other side's three penalties, while Bayern Munich's Evsen scored the decisive goal to help the team win the championship 5-4. Bayern Munich won the fifth Champions League in 2013 against Dortmund of Germany. The match was held at Wembley Stadium in London. Manjukic and Robben of Bayern Munich scored two goals in the 60th minute and 89th minute respectively, helping the team win the championship 2-1. This is the first time in the history of the Champions League that there is a German derby final.
Bayern Munich won the sixth Champions League in 2020 against Paris Saint Germain of France. The match was held at the Duluz Stadium in Lisbon. Bayern Munich's Koeman scored the only goal in the 59th minute, helping the team win the championship 1-0. This is the third championship Bayern Munich has won in the 2020 season, and it is also the first time in the history of the Champions League that Bayern Munich has won all competitions in one season.
Hamburg: the dark horse of the Champions League
Hamburg is one of the oldest football clubs in Germany and the only team in the history of the Bundesliga that has never been relegated. Hamburg's achievements in the Champions League are not outstanding. It has won the Champions League only once, in 1983, when the opponent was Juventus of Italy. The match was held at the Olympiaco Stadium in Athens. Hamburg's Margot scored the only goal in the eighth minute, helping the team win the championship 1-0. This is Hamburg's highest honor in Europe, and also the fourth German championship team in the Champions League.
Hamburg's road to the Champions League was not smooth. They met Aberdeen in Scotland, Nottingham Forest in England and Vienna Express in Austria in the group match. Hamburg only achieved two wins, two draws and two losses in the group match. With the advantage of goal difference, Hamburg reached the semi-finals as the second in the group. In the semi-final, Hamburg's opponent was Gothenburg, Sweden. Hamburg easily reached the final with a total score of 4-0 in the two rounds of the game. In the final, Hamburg's opponent was Italy's Juventus, which was a European powerhouse at that time, with such superstars as Platini, Bonnick, Tardinelli, etc. Hamburg showed tenacious fighting spirit in the game. With a header from Maggette, he defeated Juventus and became the dark horse in the Champions League.
