1983 European Cup Winners' Cup final
Match programme cover
Event1982–83 European Cup Winners' Cup
Aberdeen Real Madrid
Scotland Spain
2 1
After extra time
Date11 May 1983
VenueNya Ullevi, Gothenburg
RefereeGianfranco Menegali (Italy)
Attendance17,804

The 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match contested between Aberdeen of Scotland and Real Madrid of Spain. It was the final match of the 1982–83 European Cup Winners' Cup tournament and ffthe 23rd European Cup Winners' Cup final, a football tournament contested by the winners of each qualifying nation's national cup.

Aberdeen played one more round than Real Madrid as they were required to play in a preliminary round prior to the first round proper. Matches until the final were held over two legs, whereas the final itself was a single match at a neutral venue. The final was held at Nya Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Watched by a crowd of 17,804, Aberdeen took the lead early in the first half with a goal by Eric Black, but Madrid drew level following a penalty scored by Juanito in the fifteenth minute. At the end of normal time, the match remained at 1–1. The match went into extra time, with the winning goal scored for Aberdeen by John Hewitt in the 112th minute. Aberdeen won the match 2–1 and won their first European trophy. This would be both clubs' last Cup Winners' Cup final; as the competition was folded in 1999, Real Madrid – which by then had already won six European Cups and would win two UEFA Cups later that decade – will never achieve the record of winning all three pre-1999 major European trophies (European Cup/Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League and the Cup Winners' Cup).

Route to the final

Scotland Aberdeen Spain Real Madrid
Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg
Switzerland Sion 11–1 7–0 (H) 4–1 (A) Prel. round Bye
Albania Dinamo Tirana 1–0 1–0 (H) 0–0 (A) First round Romania Baia Mare 5–2 0–0 (A) 5–2 (H)
Poland Lech Poznań 3–0 2–0 (H) 1–0 (A) Second round Hungary Újpesti Dózsa 4–1 3–1 (H) 1–0 (A)
West Germany Bayern Munich 3–2 0–0 (A) 3–2 (H) Quarter-finals Italy Inter Milan 3–2 1–1 (A) 2–1 (H)
Belgium Waterschei Thor 5–2 5–1 (H) 0–1 (A) Semi-finals Austria Austria Wien 5–3 2–2 (A) 3–1 (H)

Aberdeen

Aberdeen qualified for the 1982–83 European Cup Winners' Cup after they defeated Rangers 4–1 in the 1982 Scottish Cup Final on 22 May 1982.[1] They began their European Cup Winners' Cup campaign against Swiss team Sion, with a home game at Pittodrie Stadium on 18 August 1982.[2] Eric Black scored in the very first minute of the game, and Aberdeen went on to win 7–0.[3] The return match was played on 1 September 1982.[4] Aberdeen were drawn against Dinamo Tirana from Albania in the first round proper.[5] The first leg was played at home once again, and the Scottish team won 1–0. The return leg resulted in a goalless draw, sending Aberdeen through.[6]

In the third round, Aberdeen were drawn against Lech Poznań from Poland. They won 2–0 at home in the first leg, which was followed by a 1–0 win away.[7] In the quarter-finals, they were drawn against Bayern Munich.[8] In the first leg, played at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, the two clubs were held to a 0–0 draw.[9] In the return game in Scotland, Aberdeen went through with a 3–2 victory.[10] Aberdeen played Waterschei Thor, who had defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals. Aberdeen won 5–1 at home, but lost 1–0 away in Belgium for an aggregate win of 5–2.[11]

Real Madrid

Real Madrid automatically qualified for the first round, where they drew 0–0 away in their first match against Romanian team Baia Mare. Madrid won the return match at home 5–2. Their second round opponents were also from eastern Europe, Újpesti Dózsa, this time from Hungary. Madrid won both legs, first 3–1 at home and then 1–0 away. Their quarter-final opponents were Internazionale. After the first leg at the San Siro resulted in a 1–1 draw, Madrid won 2–1 at home at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[10] Madrid were drawn against Austria Wien in the semi-final. Austria had knocked out Barcelona in the quarter-finals, who were the reigning champions of the European Cup Winners' Cup.[10] The two teams drew 2–2 during the first leg in Vienna, and Madrid qualified for the final with a 3–1 victory at home on 20 April.[12]

Background

Real Madrid had extensive experience in European competitions. They had previously made it to the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 against English club Chelsea. The match was a 1–1 draw after extra time, with Chelsea winning 2–1 in the replay.[13] They had more success in the European Cup, having won the competition during its inaugural year in 1956, and retained the trophy for the following four seasons. Their most recent European success had come in the 1965–66 European Cup, where they defeated Partizan Belgrade.[14]

The 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup was the first European final in which Aberdeen had appeared. Only two clubs from Scotland had previously won European trophies, Celtic and Rangers.[15] Prior to the match, some of Aberdeen's supporters travelled to Gothenburg by fishing boat from Scotland, whilst others slept on the streets next to the stadium.[15] Real Madrid player Uli Stielike was recovering from a thigh injury prior to the match, but was cleared by the club's doctors.[15] Likewise, Aberdeen's Eric Black was declared fit to play for this match after being injured for a month.[16] Aberdeen full-back Stuart Kennedy was named as a substitute, despite being injured in the Semi-Final and unable to play, as a mark of respect from Alex Ferguson. Kennedy's injury proved to be so severe that he never played professionally again.

Match

Summary

First half

Prior to the match, the pitch had been covered by tarpaulin in order to protect it from the rain. The referee made an inspection of the pitch prior to kick-off and determined that the surface was fit to play upon.[16] The match started, and Aberdeen immediately went on the attack. Madrid's goalkeeper Agustín misdirected a goal kick, Gordon Strachan broke away from his marker and chested the ball down. He lobbed the ball forward to Eric Black who hit a twenty-yard volley towards the Madrid goal. Agustín saved the shot, tipping it onto the crossbar of the goalframe. Strachan took the corner, crossing it to Alex McLeish. The ball deflected off McLeish's head, and Black pounced on the ball sending it into the back of the Real Madrid goal to put Aberdeen up 1–0.[16]

The conditions on the pitch started to get muddy very quickly, which partially resulted in Madrid's comeback. Alex McLeish of Aberdeen passed the ball back to goalkeeper Jim Leighton, but it became stuck in the mud part way in the penalty area. Leighton rushed out from the goal line to claim the ball but took down Madrid striker Santillana in the process. A penalty was awarded by the referee. Real's captain Juanito scored the penalty to put Madrid level.[16] Madrid dominated the remainder of the half, with John Metgod and Uli Stielike looking particularly comfortable in defence and midfield, respectively.[16]

Second half

The teams were equally matched during the first part of the second half. Strachan led another Aberdeen attack in the 55th minute, passing it to Peter Weir who took the ball down the flank. His cross back to Strachan was met by a volley, but it deflected off Agustín's legs. Aberdeen immediately attacked once more, with Weir moving again down the flank, but his cross was met with a header by Black who sent the ball over after already moving into an offside position.[16] In the 80th minute, Weir created another opening with a further cross. This time it was caught by Agustín. The goalkeeper momentarily dropped the ball, but dived onto it before any Aberdeen players could take advantage of the mistake.[16]

Extra time

Normal time finished at 1–1, sending the match into extra time. The winning goal came in the 112th minute. Weir passed the ball to Mark McGhee, who took the ball down the left wing. He crossed it into the box towards substitute John Hewitt. He threw himself into the path of the ball and connected with a glancing header to put Aberdeen ahead once more.[16]

Details

Aberdeen Scotland2–1 (a.e.t.)Spain Real Madrid
Black 7'
Hewitt 112'		 Report Juanito 14' (pen.)
Attendance: 17,804[17]
Referee: Gianfranco Menegali (Italy)
Aberdeen
Real Madrid
GK1Scotland Jim Leighton
RB2Scotland Doug Rougvie
CB5Scotland Alex McLeish
CB6Scotland Willie Miller (c)
LB3Scotland John McMaster
RM4Scotland Neale Cooper
CM7Scotland Gordon Strachan
CM8Scotland Neil Simpson
LM11Scotland Peter Weir
CF10Scotland Eric Blackdownward-facing red arrow 87'
CF9Scotland Mark McGhee
Substitutes:
DF12Scotland Stuart Kennedy
GK13Scotland Bryan Gunn
MF14Scotland Andy Watson
FW15Scotland John Hewittupward-facing green arrow 87'
MF16Scotland Ian Angus
Manager:
Scotland Alex Ferguson
GK1Spain Agustín
RB2Spain Juan José
CB4Netherlands John Metgod
CB5Spain Paco Bonet
LB3Spain José Antonio Camacho downward-facing red arrow 91'
RM8Spain Ángel
CM6Spain Ricardo GallegoYellow card 98'
CM10West Germany Uli Stielike
LM11Spain Isidrodownward-facing red arrow 103'
CF7 Spain Juanito
CF9Spain Santillana (c)
Substitutes:
DF12Spain José Antonio Salgueroupward-facing green arrow 103'
GK13Spain Miguel Ángel
DF14Spain Isidoro San Joséupward-facing green arrow 91'
MF15Spain Francisco García Hernández
FW16Spain Andrés Alonso García
Manager:
Argentina Spain Alfredo Di Stéfano

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if score still tied.
  • Five named substitutes.
  • Maximum of two substitutions.

Post-match

The local police reported that only five arrests were made of fans for being drunk and disorderly. Nils Klintenberg, the police commander, said "There were no problems. We were pleased to have them here."[15] One Aberdeen supporter collapsed following the first goal and died.[15]

After the game legendary Real coach Alfredo Di Stéfano conceded the better team had won and commented; "Aberdeen have what money can't buy; a soul, a team spirit built in a family tradition."[18][19]

The European Cup Winners' Cup was run until 1999, with Aberdeen's success in the 1983 final being the last time that a Scottish club lifted the trophy.[20][21] Real Madrid ultimately never won the competition, nor did they ever reach the final again.[20] It remains the last time Real Madrid was defeated in a European tournament final tie. Aberdeen qualified for the 1983 European Super Cup, where they played 1983 European Cup champions Hamburg. The first game in Hamburg was drawn 0–0, with Aberdeen winning the return match 2–0.[22]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Rangers on a lucky streak". The Times. No. 61481. 15 March 1983. p. 23. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  2. ↑ "Aberdeen gamble on Bell to ring changes". The Times. No. 61314. 18 August 1982. p. 17. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "Aberdeen Goal Spree". The Times. No. 61315. 19 August 1982. p. 19. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "Sporting Fixtures". The Times. 1 September 1982. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "European and other fixtures". The Times. No. 61338. 15 September 1982. p. 22. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  6. ↑ Ball, Peter (30 September 1982). "English woe, Scottish cheer". The Times. No. 61350. p. 23. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  7. ↑ Ball, Peter (4 November 1982). "Scottish duo provide a crumb of comfort". The Times. No. 61380. p. 22. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Juventus are back singing hits again". The Times. No. 61469. 1 March 1983. p. 22. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Power play keeps Aberdeen top". The Times. No. 61474. 7 March 1983. p. 18. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 Ross, James M. (9 January 2008). "European Competitions 1982–83". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  11. ↑ "Last night's results". The Times. No. 61511. 20 April 1983. p. 24. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  12. ↑ "Aberdeen's final date with Real". The Times. No. 61512. 21 April 1983. p. 24. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "1970/71: Replay joy for Chelsea". UEFA. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  14. ↑ "Finals" (PDF). UEFA. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Jones, Stuart (13 May 1983). "The Ferguson clan show world the Real McRoy". The Times. No. 61531. p. 22. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Jones, Stuart (12 May 1983). "Aberdeen victorious in extra time". The Times. No. 61530. p. 30. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  17. ↑ Report (page 22)
  18. ↑ Webster, Jack (19 November 1983). "Here we go... all the way to glory". The Glasgow Herald. p. 18. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "Sir Alex's five dates with destiny". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). 8 May 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  20. 1 2 "UEFA Cup Winners' Cup". UEFA. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  21. ↑ "The night Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen rocked Real Madrid: 40 years on". Guardian. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  22. ↑ "1983: Ferguson first for Aberdeen". UEFA. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
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