09-05-2019, 11:26
Well, that`s been a boring old week European-wise, has it not? – and no, I`m not talking about Brexit. It`s made our game against Ebbsfleet seem positively mundane.
With the possibility that all 4 teams in the Champions League and Europa League finals will be English this year, I`ve dug out my nerd hat, put it on and gone back through the records to see if there`s ever been a case before of all 4 finalists coming from the same country. (Yes, I know I`m tempting fate, but as I`ve no allegiance whatsoever to either Chelsea or Arsenal I really don`t give a toss; so sue me.)
It turns out that it hasn`t, as far as I can see; that includes the old European Cup and UEFA Cup as well. There have been several cases of a country providing 3 out of the 4, but never all 4. If any of you are sad enough like me to be interested, as far as I can tell Italy has done it 4 times (1989/90, 1994/5, 1996/7 and 1997/8), Spain twice (2013/4 and 2015/16) and Germany once (1979/80).
If that`s not sent all of you to sleep, nothing will.
With the possibility that all 4 teams in the Champions League and Europa League finals will be English this year, I`ve dug out my nerd hat, put it on and gone back through the records to see if there`s ever been a case before of all 4 finalists coming from the same country. (Yes, I know I`m tempting fate, but as I`ve no allegiance whatsoever to either Chelsea or Arsenal I really don`t give a toss; so sue me.)
It turns out that it hasn`t, as far as I can see; that includes the old European Cup and UEFA Cup as well. There have been several cases of a country providing 3 out of the 4, but never all 4. If any of you are sad enough like me to be interested, as far as I can tell Italy has done it 4 times (1989/90, 1994/5, 1996/7 and 1997/8), Spain twice (2013/4 and 2015/16) and Germany once (1979/80).
If that`s not sent all of you to sleep, nothing will.