The UEFA Cup. The largest and longest European tournament reached its culmination with a final between Real Madrid and Videoton Szekesfehervar. Sounds strange, but that was a final between Spain and Hungary, the powers of the 1950s. A revival? Well, both countries hoped for that. Apart from this largely symbolic quality, there was little in common between the finalists: mighty Real against fairly unknown provincial Hungarian club. Hardly a contest? Depends on the point of view. Depends on the draw in every stage of the tournament – Real eliminated stronger opponents on the way to the final than Videoton. Videoton was particularly lucky in the semifinals, when they met Zeljeznicar (Sarajevo) – it could have been Inter (Milan). Or Real Madrid. Yet, as a novelty, Videoton and Real between themselves disposed of all Yugoslavian participants and half of the English ones: Videoton eliminated Partizan, Zeljeznicar, and Manchester United (in the ¼ finals); Real eliminated Rijeka and Tottenham Hotspur (also in the ¼ finals). What else? Videoton never won any European trophy and reached a final for a first time. The last time Hungarian club played an European final was 1975 and only once a team from this country won a cup – Ferencvaros, in 1965, when the UEFA Cup was still the International Industrial Fairs Inter City Cup. Spain was without success in the UEFA Cup since 1966 and Real Madrid never won this trophy. Now, Spain at large, hardly cared for victories of Real, but in Madrid the pain was strong: the club did not win anything since 1966 and reached European finals again only recently – and lost all 3 of them (twice lost the Cup Winners Cup final and once the European Champions Cup final). Also-run never does for Real and this time the opponent was seemingly weaker. May be weaker on paper, but Videoton had strong presence in Hungarian football for about 10 years and in any case underestimating the underdog is often fatal.
Videoton was happy to make its way to the final – here they are triumphant after eliminating Zeljeznicar (Sarajevo) – so why not collect the cup as well? They were not at the level of Anderlecht, Tottenham Hotspur and Inter, which Real eliminated one after the other, but there was not sure victory just because of famous name.
Real seemingly did its homework and was determined not to underestimate its opponents – the first leg was in Szekesfehervar and Real came out ready for a kill. The cup winner was practically decided in this match: Real won 3-0. Michel scored the opening goal in the 31st minute, then Santillana scored the second in the 77th minute, and Valdano finished the job in the 89th. At home it was just to collect the trophy.
Very likely Real took it easy in the second leg, but Videoton, although practically without any chance, went for a victory anyway.
Real pretended for a penalty, but none given
Videoton showed teeth.
And defended well itself.
Few minutes before the end Videoton scored.
In front of 90 000 Real fans modest Videoton won on Bernabeu 1-0. It was not enough to win the cup, but it was brave finish. David was unable to beat Goliath, though.
The Spaniards lifted the UEFA Cup for the first time.
Videoton reached its pinnacle this year, but had no chance of winning the UEFA Cup. Nothing to really blame them – Real was vastly superior in everything and miracles happen seldom. Videoton everything they could and perhaps were one of the few teams losing a final without big regrets, but proud or themselves. Some of the players were already in the Hungarian national team and bearded goalkeeper Peter Disztl acquired some European fame.
Just because Videoton not a club which could reach European finals again, one more photo – this from early stage of the tournament, when playing a final was no more than tiny dream.
Real perhaps was not completely happy playing at city like Szekesfehervar and third-rated European trophy, but they had to wait and suffer disappointments for almost 20 years, so any continental success would do. At last, it was done. Videoton was convenient opponent, so initial superiority helped. Of course, there is no team in he world to regret weak opposition, but Real’s ambitions were larger than this achievement. The team looks fine, as names go, but it was not strong enough in the eyes of club’s brass and fans – changes were coming, the first one was that Stielike won his last trophy with Real. His long spell with the club was at its end and he was going to be replaced. It was great he finally won European cup with Real, but perhaps the victory was more important to Santillana, Camacho, and Miguel Angel, who went through all trials and tribulations of the lean, best forgotten, 1970s. Trophy at last. And the UEFA Cup had one more name added to the list of winners.