The European Champions Cup, the crème of the crème. Two upsets at the first round – FC Zurich eliminated Glasgow Rangers and Dynamo Dresden did the same to Benfica. Yet, nothing earth-shaking – both Rangers and Benfica were ailing, the Swiss champions were rising and Dresden, if not a great team, was at lest sturdy, experienced, and fairly consistent team. Everywhere else the expected clubs won The draw played a little joke opposing Sliema Wanderers (Malta) to TPS (Turku, Finland), thus giving a chance of one outsider to go the dizzy – for such clubs – 1/8-finals. The Fins got the upper hand thanks to away goal – 1-2 and 1-0.


TPS were the easiest opponent in the second round and FC Zurich were lucky to play against them. The Swiss easily went ahead. The rest of the matches brought some interesting results: Liverpool lost the away first-leg to Trabzonspor (Turkey) 0-1. Similarly, Bayern lost in Ostrava 1-2 to the Czechoslovak champions Banik. But everything restored to normal in the second matches, both Liverpool and Bayern thrashing their daring opponents. Particularly Bayern – struggling in West Germany's championship, too old, and in need of rebuilding, Bayern definitely meant business in Europe – the old foxes still had enough skills, tricks, and determination for cup-format direct elimination challenges. So far they won 3 matches and lost one, scoring 13 goals and allowing only two in their net. Looked like yet another Bayern year coming – in deep trouble at home, the Bavarians obviously wanted to save the season with 4th straight European cup. No surprises in Munich – surprises were elsewhere: Saint Etienne eliminated PSV Eindhoven - 1-0 and 0-0. The French repeated exactly the same results from their first round matches with CSKA (Sofia). By now they were experienced, solid, more careful, and bets were on the Dutch, who were more adventurous and hungry team. But, as the previous years, Eindhoven was unable to prevail when really mattered. They were becoming one of the failed hopefuls. The real blast was delivered in Belgium: FC Brugge eliminated Real Madrid. Scoreless tie in Madrid, followed by annihilation. 2-0 is nothing but annihilation of Real, even when not very great. FC Brugge had great team, if not their best ever, at least close to that, and still rising under the cognac-fumed influence of Happel, but beating Real so categorically? Not exactly the expected outcome.

The quarter-finals produced its lucky draw as well – Dynamo Dresden vs FC Zurich. Techically, one of the two weaker teams was going to the semi-finals. May be Saint Etienne, Bayern, or FC Brugge were more deserving? Well, the deserving are those who qualify. FC Zurich qualified thanks to away goals – 2-1 in Zurich and 2-3 in Dresden. Borussia Moenchengladbach continued their progress: FC Brugge kept them at 2-2 in Dusseldorf, where Borussia played their European games, for the stadium in Moenchengladbach was too small. The Germans won the second leg 1-0 and went ahead – curiously, Borussia was more impressive as a visitor then as a host, if playing in Dusseldorf is considered home match. Saint Etienne was perhaps becoming too experienced, and thus careful, for their own good – they overcome Liverpool at home 1-0, but Anfield was bitter pill to swallow – 1-3. It was not that St. Etienne gave up, but Liverpool was fresher, hungrier, less conservative on the pitch. Not to mention that traditionally the English play successfully against the French. The real drama was not the English vs French, but Dinamo Kiev vs Bayern. There was little football, but a lot of physicality and determination. Both teams were vastly experienced, had similar philosophy – win, no matter how, and both teams had to remedy domestic seasons with international success. Both were handicapped as well – Onishtchenko and Gerd Muller were injured. Both clubs were aging and badly in need of fresh talent, which was not available... which made for tough, unpleasant to the eye duel. Bayern extracted 1-0 win at home, but Beckenbauer was worried. The match was fairly equal and the Soviets missed a few chances.

Sepp Maier saves? Or Oleg Blokhin misses? Maier was the hero of Bayern this year, which is quite telling... if the best player of mighty Bayern is the goalkeeper...

And Bayerm played mean defense and constant pressure at the second leg. Without Muller there was no one to really score – Torstensson was moved deeply back to help the defense; Rummenige was firmly placed in midfield, and Beckenbauer did not venture an attack even once. Without real bite, Bayern was doomed to fail – Dynamo managed to score 2 goals, Bayern nil. The European era of Bayern ended.

Buryak shoots and Schwarzenbeck looks... helpless. And helpless looks Beckenbauer against Konkov. Dinamo did not win easily – they missed a penalty; scored from another, and the winning goal was scored after a free kick: the massive and deadly German defense did not give many chances to rather unimaginative opposition.
The semi-finals – yet another joke of the fate: Dinamo Kiev vs Borussia Moenchengladbach. Too many Germans for the Soviets? May be it was good think after all? Well, the results were exactly the same – 1-0 and 0-2. The only difference was that this time it was not Dinamo losing by a goal and winning by two – he matches were again tough, but Dinamo struggled and on top of everything their goalkeeper Rudakov failed them in Dusseldorf. At least so was written in the Soviet press – in reality, he was a keeper of the 'shaky' kind and under pressure he often made mistakes. Bayern had no sufficient bite, but Borussia with Simonsen, Heynckes, and Bonhof was another story. There was some hope for Dinamo – after the second goal Borussia moved back and looked – from aside – tired. Dinamo put some pressure, but it was Borussia shaped by Udo Lattek, hence, skilled in defensive matters. Dinamo did not look hopeless or tired, but it was predictable team – and paid the prize for that.

In the other semi-final everything went 'normal' – the fairy-tale of FC Zurich ended, outclassed by Liverpool. The Swiss lost both legs, scoring a single goal at home, and receiving 6 – three in each match – in return.

Cup Winners Cup was no fun again – very few classy clubs qualified. At a glance, Anderlecht, Atletico Madrid, and Hajduk Split were obvious favourites. Add Hamburger SV, Southampton, and may be Napoli and Olympic Marseille – clubs representing stronger national leagues, but hardly successful internationally. This CWC vintage was unattractive, to say the least. Predictable, if anything. And the tournament progressed without surprises... the draw was tough to improving Rapid (Vienna), facing Atletico (Madrid), and Southampton – Olympic (Marseille). Rapid and Marseille were eliminated, but it was no big news. The rest of 1/16 finals paired either clearly unequal clubs, or equal, but on small scale, so it did not matter who won or lost. Only one thing deserves mentioning: Levski-Spartak (Sofia) annihilated Reipas (Lahti) – 12-2 and 7-1. The Finns were expected to lose, so the results were not a news. A curiosity rather, one player scored 10 goals.

Kiril Milanov scores one more with a header in Sofia – Reipas' defender Reppo tries a bit of wrestling without success. Milanov scored 6 goals in Sofia and trumped 4 more in Lahti. Ten goals is a lot, but against helpless Finns it was no more than a note. However, Milanov continued scoring in the next rounds – two more against Boavista (Porto). These two were vital – they qualified Levski-Spartak to the ¼ finals. One more goal against Atletico (Madrid) – providing victory in Sofia, but not enough for final victory. 13 goals in total – as far as I know, nobody scored more in the history of Cup Winners Cup. Milanov is the all-time record scorer of now defunct Cup Winners Cup – nobody bested him in a single tournament. Records are fine, but the tournament went on its way.

Nothing spectacular in the next round: Atletico (Madrid) had the hardest draw, but managed to eliminate Hajduk (Split), winning both legs 1-0 and 2-1. A minor upset: MTK (Budapest) eliminated Dinamo (Tbilisi), also winning both legs 4-1 and 1-0. The only unclear pair, without even tentative favourite, Levski-Spartak eliminated Boavista. Yes, thanks to Kiril Milanov – he scored the sole Levski's goal in Porto, Levski losing 1-3; and then scored the decisive second goal for Levski in Sofia – 2-0. The away goal qualified the Bulgarians.

The quarter-finals were reached by 5 relatively strong teams, so, the luckiest – or fairest? - of draws would have at least one strong club out. It was the luckiest draw – Atletico (Madrid), Napoli, and Hamburger SV had weaker opponents. Anderlecht vs Southampton competed the draw – one had to die. Anderlecht was simply the classier team at the time, and although Southampton fought bravely, they ended short of a goal. 2-0 for Anderlecht in Brussels; 2-1 for Southampton in the second leg, Anderlecht survived. Little drama elsewhere – both Napoli and Hamburger SV played 'classic', if not exciting tournament matches – ties away, followed by wins on home turf. MTK and Slask (Wroclaw) were hardly the teams able of big surprises. The only excitement came from Levski-Spartak – Atletico (Madrid). The Spaniards were not at their best and lost 1-2 in Sofia. They were not overwhelming in Madrid either – it was rather chaotic, gritty match, driven by frustration. Atletico won 2-0 and qualified , but both goals were scored from penalties. Unconvincing victory, leaving bitter feelings, especially in the Levski's camp: even 30 years later Levski's captain Kiril Ivkov maintains that the outcome of the match was decided in advance – hinting of UEFA. The referee was obviously given instructions to qualify Atletico. Was it so nobody can tell, but one thing was clear – neither team really deserved to prevail. The simple truth is Atletico scored the needed goals, Levski did not. It was not a match to remember.

And four absolutely predictable teams reached the ½ finals. Where they also played predictably... Napoli got its 'Italian' win at home, 1-0, but it was clearly not enough against flying Anderlecht. Catenaccio and trickery vs total football... Anderlecht won 2-0 in Brussels and reached the Cup Winners Cup final for a second consecutive year. Meantime Atletico won 3-1 in Madrid, perhaps outdoing itself. But negative results mean nothing to iron Germans – already there was no such thing as 'decisive lead' against German team. In Hamburg it was all Hamburger – 3-0.

By the spring of 1977 minds changed somewhat: weak tournament, but at least the final was to be great. The most deserving teams reached it and the hopes of spectacular show were high. Anderlecht was already seen as heir of great Ajax. Continuing and perhaps even developing further total football. The relation was obvious – 5 Dutch players in the squad, Arie Haan the direct link with Ajax, added by exciting Belgians, particularly Francois van der Elst. They already thrilled Europe in 1976. The West Germans also represented total football and with the inevitable retirements of the stars of 1972-74, other names came in the lightspot. Some of those were playing for Hamburger SV. To a point, Hamburger SV shared the fate of Juventus and Athletic (Bilbao) of the European Champions Cup final – one of the big clubs at home, staying in the shadow of others for too long. HSV lacked both domestic and international success. They won nothing since the formation of the Bundesliga and even experienced a crisis. They emerged only in 1976, winning the German Cup. Good players, but... rather in terms of the general state of West German football. Reimann, Nogly, Kargus, Hidien, Volkert were something like third level of German stars – speaking of the depth of talent in the country, but also of particular generation. Not, when the biggest stars were retiring, at least from the national team, those above were invited to replace them. Unfortunately, they were practically of the same age as the retirees and they were no Beckenbauers, Overaths, and Mullers. Curiously, Ajax connection pops up too – Horst Blankenburg led HSV to their Cup victory in 1976, and now they had Arno Steffenhagen. Ajax vs Ajax, in a sense, but the odds tipped to Anderlecht: Blankenburg was no longer around and Steffenhagen represented the dark fall of great Ajax after 1973. The Belgians were bright and rising; the Germans were somewhat lesser stars, coming that far by default. Let's face it: Rensenbrink was major star before taking the role of Cruyff in the national team of Holland. Kargus was deep reserve in the West German national team in 1974 – and still was in 1977. Volkert was not even considered for the national team when Muller and Grabowski were playing and Heynckes was healthy. Ajax-style thrill was expected at the final, Anderlecht winning at the end. A new dynasty was coming. And how appropriate and symbolic was to play the final at Amsterdam – one more reference to Ajax.

Anderlecht – heir apparent of great Ajax.

But heirs, however spectacular, are usually failing to even come at par with their predecessors. Anderlecht was not Ajax. And Hamburger SV were very hungry bunch. Both teams healthy and at excellent form, though. The first half was a reminder of the final in 1976 – Hamburger SV was attacking, seemingly pushing Anderlecht back, and dominating. Fast and physical football on display. Things changed in the second half back in 1976, but not this year – Hamburger continued pressuring and generally playing better. By now another reference came to mind: the West Germany – Holland final in 1974. Back then Vogts neutralised Cruyff. Now it was Kaltz taking the task to neutralize Rensenbrink. It was just as effective as Vogts'. However, HSV's coach Kron went a step further than Schon in 1974: Memering was taking personal care of Ressel. And it was not all – Raymond Goethals copied Rinus Michels, by saying that his Anderlecht had technical advantage. Did not work for Michels in 1974... did not work for Goethals in 1977. Volkert tormented the Belgian defense – a more physical player, he was closer to Uwe Seeler than Gerd Muller, a predecessor of Horst Hrubesh. The other big revelation was Arno Steffenhagen, who seemingly was taking symbolic revenge – Haan was great Ajax, and Steffenhagen – dead Ajax. Now, in Amsterdam, Steffenhagen played great football splitting Anderlecht's defense time and again. Anderlecht fought back, but when goals were finally scored, they were German goals. At the end, it was Hamburger SV on top. Goethals gracefully acknowledged that the better team had win, pointing at collective play of the Germans. Kron singled out Kaltz, Volkert, and Steffenhagen as the key to victory.

Final, Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam, 11 May 1977, att 66000



Hamburger SV (0) 2 RSC Anderlecht (0) 0

78' 1-0 H: Volkert (pen)

88' 2-0 H: Magath



Hamburger SV

Kargus; Kaltz, Ripp, Nogly, Hidien; Memering, Magath, Keller;Steffenhagen, Reimann, Volkert

RSC Anderlecht

Ruiter; Van Binst, Van Den Daele, Thissen, Broos; Dockx (Van Poucke),Coeck, Hann, Vander Elst; Ressel, Rensenbrink

German joy: Steffenhagen, Kargus, Nogly, Kaltz, and Magath. Look at Steffenhagen lifting the Cup in Amsterdam. Haan nowhere to be seen... and forget about Ajax.

May be not... Hamburger SV duplicating Ajax's 'bathing-gowns' of few years back.

Worthy winners. From left: Peter Nogly – captain, Rudi Kargus, Manfred Kaltz, Hans-Jurgen Ripp, Georg Volkert, Caspar Memering, Willi Reimann, Peter Hidien, Felix Magath, Ferdinand Keller, Arno Steffenhagen.

Well, well... First ever European trophy for Hamburger SV. First West German Cup Winners Cup after 1967. Sweet revenge for Arno Steffenhagen, plagued by troubles – one of the punished players of the German match-fixing scandal of the early 1970s and part of Georg Knobel's deeply declining Ajax. Good for the rest of the team, no longer 'third layer' of German football. Manfred Kaltz practically established himself as an European star. Young Felix Magath was not yet the big star, but he impressed his name on the minds of fans and specialists. At last West Germany got its much anticipated third big club. And it was just beginning for Hamburger SV – more and better things were coming. They arrived in style. Oh, not the pink shirts and the bathing robes I am talking of.

The shift of power was clearer in the European club tournaments. Nothing really drastic – same countries, but different clubs. As far as the tournaments go, there is something risky: winners of this domestic season qualify for next season in Europe. Few summer months rarely suffice for major ups or downs, yet, nothing guarantees that a great squad now will be in the same form after vacation and transfer period. As a rule of thumb nobody expects big names suddenly falling to pieces or a miniscule club having great team out of the blue: the usual favourites and outsiders remain, at least before the competitions begin. Actually, longer – as long as a 'favourite' goes ahead no matter how. The UEFA Cup was rather normal in the fall of 1976: favourites winning at the expense of real small fry. Unfortunately, the draw cannot be entirely beneficial for the biggies and some pairs opposed strong clubs – thus, Ujpesti Dosza, FC Porto, Ajax, and Manchester City , losing to (in the same order) Athletic Bilbao, Schalke 04, Manchester United, and Juventus. To me the hardest was Ajax – Manchester United – as a fan of both clubs, it was tough to chose. I was hoping for revival of both clubs, in a sense, it did not matter who went ahead; in the same time it was sad to see either club eliminated so early. Ajax was still shaky, so the better at the time rightfully qualified for the next round. In retrospect, the losers above 'deserved' elimination – one or another way, all of them were going downhill at the moment. The winners were going up to some degree, but it was a case of suprising results – just tough, fairly equal pairs, one had to be out. Real surprises were few: AEK (Athens) eliminated Dinamo (Moscow) in overtime (2-0 and 1-2), Celtic (Glasgow) lost to Wisla (Krakow) 2-2 and 0-2, and Inter (Milano) eliminated by Honved (Budapest) after 0-1 and 1-1. The Italians struggled, but even this was not exactly unexpected, considering the general decline of Italian football in the last 5-6 years: Inter was a surprising loser, but not Cesena, eliminated by 1.FC Magdebourg. Milan was perhaps most emblematic – they eliminated Dinamo (Bucharest), but with great difficulty: 0-0 and 2-1.


The 1/16 finals produced even fewer surprises: Milan confirmed its suspect form by struggling against Akademik (Sofia). The Bulgarians won the opening leg 4-3 and given the historic difference of class, the second leg in Milano was not a walkover – Milan won 2-0, but really! 5-4 against small Bulgarian club – something was very wrong with Milan. And so was with Barcelona – they barely survived the Belgian KSC Lokeren, thanks to away goal – 2-0 and 1-2. Juventus had tougher luck – once again going to Manchester, this time to face United. Just like Manchester City, Juve lost 0-1 away, but did a bit better at home, winning 3-0 – vs 2-0 against City. I am not sure was it some relief for the Citizens to see United beaten by more goals then City, but I was surely unhappy. Yet, it was still a matter of fairly equal draw, where the win would go either way. Some other confrontation were similar, although involving not so famous clubs, including the elimination of Wisla (Krakow) by RWD Molenbeek (Brussels). The only bomb was dropped by AEK – after eliminating Dinamo (Moscow), now they faced Derby County. There was no question who will continue... even after the first leg in Athens, where AEK won 2-0. Only three goals were needed to restore justice... yes, there were three goals scored, but in the Derby County's net. AEK won again – 3-2.

In the third round Barcelona was clearly the luckiest – they had an easiest draw and progressed confidently after two large wins against Osters IF (Sweden): 3-0 and 5-1. May be too confident wins... The rest of the pairs were more or less between equals, so nothing really out of normal – Milan's play with fire finally ended: Athletic thrashed them 4-1 in Bilbao and the heroics of Milan were not enough at the end. They were short of a goal, winning 3-1 in Milano, and Athletic went ahead. More dramatic was the battle between Queen's Park Rangers and 1. FC Koln. Both clubs strong and playing their best football, the challenge was exciting. QPR built solid 3-0 lead in London, but what could be enough against Germans? On home turf they scored 4, however QPR managed to give one back and qualified for the next round thanks to the away goal. 'Normal' results end here, though – two major upsets were delivered: RWD Molenbeek took the scalp of Schalke 04. Granted, Schalke were not exactly great at the time, but still favourites against lesser Belgian club. It was not a walkover, yet, Schalke was unable to win at all – RWD Molenbeek advanced after 1-0 at home and 1-1 in Gelsenkirchen. And finally – AEK dropped a third bomb. The victim this time was Crvena zvezda. AEK won 2-0 in Athens and survived the barrage in Belgrade. They lost, surely, but scored precious away goal – 1-3 – and thanks to it moved up to ¼ finals.

On the surface, the ¼ finals were not all that problematic – with a single exception, the Spanish derby between Athletic and Barcelona, the rest was seemingly easy draw for the favourites. And even the Spanish pair appeared predictable – Barcelona was the likely winner. But one has to remember that Spanish football traditionally is triangular – it is not only Barcelona vs Madrid, but Basques against Spanish and Catalonians as well. If anything, the Basques are fighters and they clinched the victory – 2-1 and 2-2. Tough in Spain, but easy in Italy – Juventus practically eliminated 1. FC Magdebourg in East Germany, winning the first leg 3-1. In Torino, there was time for economy – 1-0 was enough to keep the East Germans humble. The other two ¼ final pairs went wrong... Feyenoord was expected to win, but apparently RWD Molenbeek built confidence and ambitions by progressing that far, and they were hungrier – they kept Feyenoord at scoreless tie in Rotterdam and clinched 2-1 win in Brussels. One fairy tale continued, the other however was surely to end – AEK were simply lucky so far. True, they eliminated much stronger opponents, but that is precisely the pure luck. Underestimated so far, but no doubt QPR had learned the lesson. AEK became ambitious, yet, QRP, if playing seriously, would be too much for the Greeks. Most likely QPR learned no lesson – they won with confidence in London, 3-0. Then they had to realize that two legs mean two matches... AEK won 3-0 in Athens, and after fruitless overtime the winner was to be decided by penalty shoot-out. Penalties were not the forte of British teams – to their own peril, the Brits somewhat think even now that shoot-outs are not the right way to produce a winner. Hence, shoot-outs were British weakness – and AEK won dramatically 7-6. Second fairy tale continued, bigger than RWD Molenbeek's – so far, AEK eliminated Dinamo (Moscow), Derby County, Crvena zvezda, and Queen's Park Rangers. Coming close to the final.

Coming close, but no closer – AEK faced Juventus in the semi-final. The Italians knew how to learn lessons and underestimating was hardly in their character. They were too much for the Greeks – the fate was decided in Torino, where everything became painfully clear: 4-1 for Juventus. Try scoring 4 goals to Dino Zoff. Try coming near to Dino Zoff, actually. AEK did not come close even to a goal – Juventus won in Athens as well, 1-0. RWD Molenbeek fared better – Athletic was still considered not that great opponnent and Belgians ever play seriously, on top, if not above, their abilities. Neither club won a match, but the Basques managed to score away goal in Brussels. After 1-1 and 0-0, they went ahead. RWD Molenbeek at least exited unbitten and unhumiliated.

The end of a dream: captains Morini (Juventus) and Papaioannou (AEK) shaking hands before the match ending 4-1 Juventus.

Juventus vs Athletic. Two clubs with long history and big standings in their respective countries. Also two clubs so far never winning anything in Europe, unlike all of their great enemies. No wonder, both opponents were highly ambitious. Given the traditions, the history, the mentality in both countries, the final was not to be a pinnacle of exciting football, but rather heavy clash. And true to expectations, it was not memorable final. A careful affair, full of trickery, stifling and suffocating the game. Both teams were defensively-minded, did not shy away from time-wasting and simulations. There were plenty of killers in each team, and if the finals were not condemned as particularly vicious, the reason may be that both teams were the same, so there was no clear victim to be seen. Juventus looked mightier on paper, but the boys from Bilbao were especially tough bunch. They had stars as well – Iribar, Alexanko, Guoicoechea, Irureta, but it was the collective toughness to matter. As for Juventus – their line-up speaks for itself. In front of 75 000-strong crowd, Juventus clinched Italian-style victory at Stadio Comunale – 1-0. Tardelli scored in the 15th minute.

Final 1st Leg, Stadio Comunale, Turin, 4 May 1977, att 75000



Juventus (1) 1 Athletic Bilbao (0) 0

15' 1-0 J: Tardelli



Juventus

Zoff; Cuccereddu, Gentile, Scirea, Morini; Tardelli, Furino,

Benetti; Causio, Boninsegna (Gori), Bettega

Athletic Bilbao

Iribar; Oñaederra, Escalza, Guoicoechea, Guisasola; Villa, Irureta,

José Angelo Rojo, Churruca; Dani, José Francisco Rojo

Bettega looking deadlier than he was in reality in the first final leg.

Tardelli gets the ball from Bilbao's net – he just scored.

The second leg at San Mames was attended by almost half of the Torino's audience, but it was Basque crowd. Juventus again scored early, steering the match in the traditional Italian pattern. The hosts were not some continental or British club, though. Tooth for tooth they fought and finally won 2-1.

Final 2nd Leg, San Mames Stadium, Bilbao, 18 May 1977, att 43000



Athletic Bilbao (1) 2 Juventus (1) 1

7' 0-1 J: Bettega

11' 1-1 AM: Churruca

78' 2-1 AM: Carlos



Athletic Bilbao

Iribar; Lasa (Carlos), Guisasola, Alesanco, Escalza; Villa,

Churruca, Irureta; Amarrortu, Dani, José Francisco Rojo

Juventus

Zoff; Cuccureddu, Morini, Scirea, Gentile; Causio, Tardelli,

Furino, Benetti; Boninsegna (Spinosi), Bettega

Athletic in attack, Juventus in defense. Hopeless defense? Let's say the usual Italian defense.

Athletic won, but the EUFA Cup went to Torino... Bettega's away goal decided the outcome. The result is unusual, even unfair, but rules are rules. The point is, there was no clear winner – perhaps the most equal of finals. There is not convincing argument in favour of Juventus, yet, it was not unfair victory, like some of the finals of the 1970s, where sympathies were on the losing side. Here, either team would have been unconvincing winner. Both played similar tactics – 4-4-2; both were rough killers of football; both professed philosophy of winning only, football actually unimportant for the aim.

First ever European trophy for the Old Lady! At last! It was barely won, but won.

Athletic Bilbao – brave, if not great finalists. Very disappointed at the end. With time they found reason for some pride, calling themselves 'sub-champions'. Alas. second best is not trophy holder.

What a team!And what a successful year for Juventus! The spell was broken – Juve just started winning internationally. Shall I mention Trapattoni? He had to be mentioned in 1977, when he was not yet the world-famous coach – no need of mentioning today, thanks to the same 1977. Juventus played attacking football approximating total football – against weaker opponents. Against strong teams, it was old tried and proven catenaccio, slightly modified, but defense was coming first as ever. 4-4-2 formation, but let's not count those who were skilled in defending.

Malta at the very bottom – how true was that? Were they really weaker than, say, Iceland? Difficult to judge, for the dwarfs of football world hardly ever played competitive games against each other. The curious part is but one: most of the dwarfs had old clubs and old championships. The structure existed years before many other countries. At least on local level the history was rich and trophy rooms – crammed. Yet, domestic history had nothing to do with international success. Malta run the smallest league in Europe – along with Iceland, they had 10-team league. Smaller championship existed, but they were not official – San Marino, Andora, the Vatican, Northern Cyprus. Wales and Lichtenstein had no championships at all, their better clubs playing respectively in the English and the Switzerland's leagues. The smallest, but still a league – 2 relegated, Zebbuq Rangers, 9th, and Senglea Athletics, 10th. Both names meant little in Malta and absolutely nothing outside the island. Senglea did not win a single match, finishing with 3 points. Zebbuq Rangers had a chance to survive: they and Msida St. Joseph finished with 13 points each, and by rules goal-difference was not decisive factor. A play-off instead, which provided some drama – the match ended tied: 2-2 and went into penalty shoot-out. Msida clinched the victory 5-4 and survived, Zebbuq went down.


Generally speaking 5 clubs were traditionally stronger, but this is just an overview. Hamrun Spartans were 5th, yet closer to the relegation zone than to medals – they were 8 points behind the 4th. The next three clubs fought for 2nd and 3rd place – Hibernians missed the podium by 2 points and Valletta missed silver also by 2 points. Sliema Wanderers finished 2nd , losing only one match, but with 27 points they were far behind the champions. Floriana comfortably won the title with 33 points. They finished unbeaten and more – they won 15 out of total 18 championship games. Scored 53 goals, 10 more than the second best scorers, and allowed only 12 goals in their net. Truly supreme.

Panini gave different year for this squad – 1977-78, but who can really tell? Maltese teams and players are difficult to place in actual time, for they were of little interest to the world. At home, however, it was different – Floriana are one of the better Maltese clubs. They won their 24th title – very few clubs have so many even today in 21st century, when Valletta is considered the top club of Malta. Valletta were favorites back in the 1970s as well, but they had won only 9 championships by 1977. Floriana was way above everyone... fate is cruel, though - 25th title was surely coming. It did – in 1993. Floriana kind of faded after 1977.

The Cup final was an opportunity for a double – Floriana reached the final and given their excellent form in the championship, they were favorites. Valletta, having so-so season, was hoping at least to win something, but seemingly it should have been easy victory for Floriana. It was not – Valletta scored a goal and the champions did not.

Once again, the year of this photo may be wrong – the kit is the hint: Valletta played with fashionable Adidas in 1977-78, so may be this picture is from 1976-77. Valletta won the Cup for 4th time and from a time distance one thing can be detected: so far Valletta was not the dominant Maltese club, but among the better ones. But the club was on the rise. On the other hand, Floriana was going into decline. May be the Cup final of 1977 indicated the shift of power – easy to say now, but not back then.

Unlike Albania and Cyprus, Luxembourg did not dally with new formats or enlargement of the league. They kept conservative view and rightly so – with limited talent and resources, why changing anything? Normal season of the 12-team league. Red Black ( Pfaffenthal) and Aris (Bonnevoie) finished at the last two spots and were relegated. Up the table the more interesting was the very top - Red Boys (Differdange) secured 3rd place, but was no factor in the race for the title. Progres (Niedercorn) and Jeunesse (Esch/Alzette) were the contenders – Progres scored the most goals, but they ended 2 points short of title. Jeunesse, more or less the strongest club during the 1970s, clinched one more championship.

The Cup final opposed the second and the third finishers in the championship – to a point, the stronger clubs were consistent, allowing for no surprises. Red Boys and Progres.

Progres tried hard and the final was quite equal. Thrilling final: it ended 4-4. The replay featured half the goals of the first match and much more confident Progres. They won 3-1 and the Cup.

Red Boys were rightly disappointed: after all, they are the Cup specialists in Luxembourg, winning it more often than anybody else. But not this year.

Losing finalists. Red Boys maintained steady performance, but their best years were already in the deep past.

Cyprus, probably a tiny bit weaker than Albania. Also with new format for the season, but in their case it was enlargement. From the early 1970s the Cypriot league was gradually getting bigger – from 12 teams to 14, then 15 in 1975-76, and 16 for the 1976-77 season. Nothing wrong with that – 16 teams was and is the most popular league format, perhaps the best. The question, however, was about reason – weaker leagues should be smaller. On the other hand, a bigger league may help developing of competitive football. Just may be. Anyhow, the Cypriots went ahead with 16 teams, with only one team facing relegation. Up from Second Division was promoted APOP (Paphos), a truly unsettled club, constantly moves between 1st and 2nd divisions. Once again they were going up for 1977-78. The relegation spot in 1st went to ASIL (Lisi), insignificant club even by Cypriot measures. Just to play top flight was a gigantic success for ASIL; predictably, they did not last. They earned only 7 points from 30 championship games, winning a single match. There was practically no fear of relegation for anybody else – ASIL took firmly the last place. No fear of relegation, but hardly competitive battle for the title either: only two clubs fought, high above the rest – the difference between second and third place soared to 11 points by the end of the championship. Pezoporikos (Larnaca) finished comfortably third, 4 points ahead of Aris (Limassol). The real battle was quite old and political as well – between Omonia and APOEL, between the Left and the Right. APOEL lost by three points – Omonia, to he joy of her Leftist supporters won confidently. APOEL lost only a single match and received the least goals in the league, but it was no comfort.

Forth title in a row for Omonia and 7th altogether - they dominated Cypriot football, becoming the supreme club. By now the chants of other fans “apply to the Soviet Federation and go play there” were losing bite: Omonia was too strong and if there was any hope for some international success, it was in the feet of Omonia. They had the only relatively known Cyrpiot player – Sotiris Kaiafas, the goal-scoring machine. Naturally, Omonia scored the most goals during the season – 88, 11 more goals than APOEL, and Kaiafas was responsible for that. Then again... in a league so weak it was not all that difficult: APOEL's 77 goals were 24 more then the third highest scorers, Aris.

With two clubs obviously stronger than the rest the Cup final should have been one more contest between APOEL and Omonia – but it was not. Another club from Nicosia reached the final – Olympiakos. The other finalist was the lesser club of Larnaca – Alki.

Alki, depending on the year, was either the 2nd or 3rd club of Larnaca, normally Pezoporikos was the best, and sometime EPA – second. Alki played quite consistently in the First Division, but modestly. In 1976-77 they finished well – at 6th place, yet still behind both local rivals. The Cup they lusted after, hoping not only to come ahead of the rivals, but to beat the odds too – it was their 4th final and so far they lost three. May be the Cup will be theirs at last? Olympiakos was not without ambitions either – their best years were in the 1960s, when they won three championships, but by the mid-70s they sunk to the uncomfortable position of 3rd club in Nicosia. And there was no much hope to come above the local rivals APOEL and Omonia. The Cup Olympiakos so far never won. So it was a battle of 'third stringers', in which Olympiakos got the upper hand – they won the final 3-1.

Olympiakos has one of the strangest logos in the world: a tent. Originally, it was more than sports club – they had an orchestra, choir, and camping division. Social and cultural club more than purely sports club, but eventually only the tent in the logo remained from previous activities, particularly the camping division. Founded in 1931, Olympiakos is older than Omonia, but political affiliation made Omonia more popular and successful. But it did not matter in 1977 – the green and black clad boys triumphed with the Cup.

Lifting the Cypriot Cup for the first time. Little they knew... it was the last trophy Olympiakos won. Nothing else came into their hands up to 2010. May be in the future, who knows.

Head to head, Albania was probably stronger than Iceland on both club and national team levels, but these two never played against each other official matches: there was no way. The real strength of Albanian football is impossible to measure – as a peculiar, self-isolated Communist state, Albania was practically unknown. In football matters too, for the international matches were few – both Albanian clubs and national team were quickly eliminated and they did not travel much for friendlies. And Communist countries did not export players - if occasional Icelander was becoming known abroad, it was not so for Albanian players. Enveloped in anonymity, very little could be said about Albanian football – it had regular league championship and standard Cup tournament. The Army and the Police run their teams, which, following the traditions of Eastern Europe, were more or less the strongest clubs. The rest were attached to various industries and there was surely a club or two of old fame, now suppressed and oppressed, and developing the mythology of martyrdom. The world knew next to nothing about all that – there was no way to know even if the world cared to learn. As a result, it is very difficult to show a pictorial glimpse of Albanian football of those long gone years.


The championship was reformed into 2 phases – after standard 22 matches, the top 6 clubs played final 2-legged round robin tournament for the title, and the other 6 clubs – to determine survival and relegation. One team was relegated and the unlucky were KS Besa (Kavaje). The combined record of both parts of the championship left them with 26 points from 32 games, one point short of survival. They were replaced by the Second Division winners Tomori (Berat) for the next season.

In the upper part nothing unusual happened – Dinamo (Tirana) was first at the end of the first part, however, only by better goal-difference. The final round confirmed their leadership more convincingly: the total record from 32 matches left them 4 points above their consistent pursuer Skenderbeu (Korca). Scoring was not exactly the forte of Albanian football, yet, Dinamo left everybody else behind by far – they ended with 46 goals. The second best record was 33 goals.

Dinamo, belonging to the Internal Ministry, or simply the Police, collected one more title. Founded in 1947, they already won 11 titles. Now they had 12th. Strong in Albania, no doubt. Coached by Durim Shebu, the champions were: Jani Rama, Vasillaq Zeri, Ilir Pernaska, Shyqyri Ballgjini, Muhedin Targaj, Andrea Marko, Aleko Bregu, Xhorxhi Puka, Torez Ciraku, Iljaz Ceco, Haxhi Mergjyshi, Faruk Sejdini, Kujtim Cocoli, Rifat Ibershimi, Gani Xhafa, Gj. Gjini, Ibrahim Kodra, Riza Hicka, Shaban Zenuni, Ahmet Ahmedani, Luarasi.

Dinamo went for a double, meeting 17 Nentori (Tirana) at the Cup final. Hard to tell was this the derby of Tirana – depends on who sees whom as a 'real' rival – but the final was dramatic: 17 Nentori won 2-1 the first match and Dinamo won the second with exactly the same result. At the end, penalty shoot-out decided the winners and they were not Dinamo. 17 Nentory clinched victory 8-7.

Unlike Dinamo, 17 Nentory were quite old Albanian club, founded in 1920 under the name "Agimi Sports Association”. Eventually, the name was changed to SK Tirana (Sportklub Tirana) in 1927 and it was – and is to this very day – the only club to play all championship of First Division. However, they are also the 'sufferers' of Albanian football – when the Communists took power the club was renamed to 17 Nentori in 1947 and also diminished. With the forming of Dinamo and Partizani, the 'true' Communists clubs, 17 Nentori was immediately weakened – the new clubs took the better players. Yet, it seems 17 Nentory got its own powerful state sponsor, for after 1958 they were again among the best Albanian clubs. Winning trophies as well, especially in the 1970s. They were also champions of 1966-67 season, but were banned and the title given to Dinamo. More to add to the mythology of suffering. Anyway, they took their revenge – in a way – in 1977, winning their 4th Cup. The first was won in 1939. As for anything else about the Cup winners, there is only one small mystery about their log – may be it was the one above. May be it was this:

As for faces... one photo has to suffice. Partizani (Tirana), the Army club, and perhaps the most popular Albanian club, were not very strong at that time. The were trophyless since 1973. Measly 4th place this year, 4 points behind the bronze medalists Vllaznia (Shkoder). Empty hands do not suggest photography, so the club left one of uncertain time – it is a squad of '1975-78'. Was it from this very season I don't know, but at least is from the same time period. Winners left no photos anyway, so the losers would do.

Some national team players, names known only in Albania. Agim Murati was the top goal-scorer of 1976-77 – with 12 goals. By far, the biggest name here is the coach – the legendary striker and perhaps the best all-time Albanian player Loro Borici. Was he coaching Partizani in 1976-77​?

The championship 2-phased format lasted only this season – the league returned to the traditional format for 1977-78.