Mitropa Cup
Encyclopedia
The Mitropa Cup, officially called the La Coupe de l'Europe Centrale was one of the first really international major European football
cups for club sides. After World War II
in 1951 a replacement tournament named Zentropa Cup was held to resume the rich tradition of this competition.
. The "Challenge Cup" was invented by John Gramlick Sr., a co-founder of the Vienna Cricket and Football Club. In this cup competition all clubs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
that normally would not meet could take part, though actually almost only clubs from the Empire's three major cities Vienna
, Budapest
and Prague
participated. The Challenge Cup was carried out until the year 1911 and is today seen as the predecessor to the Mitropa Cup and consequently the European Cup and Champions League
. The last winner of the cup was Vienna Sports Club, one of the oldest and most traditional football clubs of Austria where the cup still remains.
The idea of a European cup competition was shaped after World War I
which brought the defeat and collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
. The centre of this idea were the Central Europe
an countries that, at this time, were still leading in continental football. In the early 1920s they introduced professional leagues, the first continental countries to do so. Austria
started in 1924, followed by Hungary
in 1925 and Czechoslovakia
in 1926. In order to strengthen the dominance of these countries in European football and to financially support the professional clubs, the introduction of the Mitropa Cup was decided at a meeting in Venice on July 17, following the initiative of the head of the Austrian Football Association
(ÖFB), Hugo Meisl
. Moreover, the creation of a European Cup
for national teams - that unlike the Challenge Cup and the Mitropa Cup would not be annual - was also part of the agreement.
The first matches were played on August 14 of that year. The competition was between the top professional teams of Central Europe
.
Initially two teams each from Austria
, Hungary
, Czechoslovakia
and Yugoslavia
entered, competing in a knock-out competition. The countries involved could either send their respective league winners and runners-up, or league winners and cup winners to take part. The first winners were the Czech side, AC Sparta Prague. In 1929 Italian
teams replaced the Yugoslavian ones. The competition was expanded to four teams from each of the competing countries in 1934. Other countries were invited to participate - Switzerland
in 1936, and Romania
, Switzerland and Yugoslavia in 1937. Austria was withdrawn from the competition following the Anschluss
in 1938. In 1939, prior to the start of WW II
, the cup involved only eight teams (two each from Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Italy and one each from Romania and Yugoslavia). The level of the competing nations is clearly shown by Italy's two World Cup titles (1934 & 1938), Czechoslovakia's (1934) and Hungary's (1938) World Cup final, and Austria's (1934) and Yugoslavia's (1930) semi-finals. Out of the eleven different teams competing in the first three World Cups, five were part of the Mitropa Cup.
An edition in 1940 was started but abandoned due to World War II. Again, only eight teams competed - three each from Hungary and Yugoslavia and two from Romania. This edition was abandoned before the final match. Hungarian Ferencváros
and Romanian Rapid (which had won on lots after three draws) qualified for the final, but did not meet because the northern part of Transylvania (lost shortly after World War I) was ceded back to Hungary from Romania.
After World War II, the cup was resumed in 1951 initially as Zentropa Cup. Later editions, again under the Mitropa Cup label, lost much of its status because of the introduction of other European club competitions and faced an ongoing decline. By the 1980s it was competed for between the second division champions of the participating countries. It was last played for in 1992 and won by the Yugoslav side, Borac Banja Luka
in front of fewer than a thousand spectators.
The history of the tournament site - International Federation of Football History & Statistics - IFFHS
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
cups for club sides. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1951 a replacement tournament named Zentropa Cup was held to resume the rich tradition of this competition.
History
A first "international" competition for football clubs was founded in 1897 in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. The "Challenge Cup" was invented by John Gramlick Sr., a co-founder of the Vienna Cricket and Football Club. In this cup competition all clubs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
that normally would not meet could take part, though actually almost only clubs from the Empire's three major cities Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
and Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
participated. The Challenge Cup was carried out until the year 1911 and is today seen as the predecessor to the Mitropa Cup and consequently the European Cup and Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. The last winner of the cup was Vienna Sports Club, one of the oldest and most traditional football clubs of Austria where the cup still remains.
The idea of a European cup competition was shaped after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
which brought the defeat and collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
. The centre of this idea were the Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
an countries that, at this time, were still leading in continental football. In the early 1920s they introduced professional leagues, the first continental countries to do so. Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
started in 1924, followed by Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
in 1925 and Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in 1926. In order to strengthen the dominance of these countries in European football and to financially support the professional clubs, the introduction of the Mitropa Cup was decided at a meeting in Venice on July 17, following the initiative of the head of the Austrian Football Association
Austrian Football Association
The Austrian Football Association is the governing body of football in Austria. It organizes the football league, Austrian Bundesliga, the Austrian Cup and the Austrian national team, as well as its female equivalent. It is based in Vienna....
(ÖFB), Hugo Meisl
Hugo Meisl
Hugo Meisl , brother of the journalist Willy Meisl, was the multi-lingual football coach of the famous Austrian 'Wunderteam' of the early 1930s, as well as a referee.-Background:...
. Moreover, the creation of a European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
for national teams - that unlike the Challenge Cup and the Mitropa Cup would not be annual - was also part of the agreement.
The first matches were played on August 14 of that year. The competition was between the top professional teams of Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
.
Initially two teams each from Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
and Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
entered, competing in a knock-out competition. The countries involved could either send their respective league winners and runners-up, or league winners and cup winners to take part. The first winners were the Czech side, AC Sparta Prague. In 1929 Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
teams replaced the Yugoslavian ones. The competition was expanded to four teams from each of the competing countries in 1934. Other countries were invited to participate - Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
in 1936, and Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
, Switzerland and Yugoslavia in 1937. Austria was withdrawn from the competition following the Anschluss
Anschluss
The Anschluss , also known as the ', was the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938....
in 1938. In 1939, prior to the start of WW II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the cup involved only eight teams (two each from Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Italy and one each from Romania and Yugoslavia). The level of the competing nations is clearly shown by Italy's two World Cup titles (1934 & 1938), Czechoslovakia's (1934) and Hungary's (1938) World Cup final, and Austria's (1934) and Yugoslavia's (1930) semi-finals. Out of the eleven different teams competing in the first three World Cups, five were part of the Mitropa Cup.
An edition in 1940 was started but abandoned due to World War II. Again, only eight teams competed - three each from Hungary and Yugoslavia and two from Romania. This edition was abandoned before the final match. Hungarian Ferencváros
Ferencváros
Ferencváros is the 9th district of Budapest , Hungary.- Name :The southern suburb of Pest was named after King Francis I on 4 December 1792 when he was crowned king of Hungary.- History :The development of Ferencváros began in the late 18th century....
and Romanian Rapid (which had won on lots after three draws) qualified for the final, but did not meet because the northern part of Transylvania (lost shortly after World War I) was ceded back to Hungary from Romania.
After World War II, the cup was resumed in 1951 initially as Zentropa Cup. Later editions, again under the Mitropa Cup label, lost much of its status because of the introduction of other European club competitions and faced an ongoing decline. By the 1980s it was competed for between the second division champions of the participating countries. It was last played for in 1992 and won by the Yugoslav side, Borac Banja Luka
Borac Banja Luka
Borac is a sports society with several teams, from the city of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Borac means "Fighter" and the clubs supporters are called Lešinari/Лешинари which means Vultures....
in front of fewer than a thousand spectators.
Winners
| Year | Winners | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1927 | AC Sparta Prague ( Czechoslovakia) |
|
| 1928 | Ferencváros Ferencváros Ferencváros is the 9th district of Budapest , Hungary.- Name :The southern suburb of Pest was named after King Francis I on 4 December 1792 when he was crowned king of Hungary.- History :The development of Ferencváros began in the late 18th century.... (  Hungary) |
|
| 1929 | Újpest FC Újpest FC Újpest Football Club , earlier known as Újpesti TE and Újpesti Dózsa, is a Hungarian football club, based in Újpest, Budapest. The club's colours are purple and white... ( Hungary) |
|
| 1930 | SK Rapid Wien SK Rapid Wien The Sportklub Rapid Wien is an Austrian football club playing in the country's capital city of Vienna. Rapid is the most popular club in Austria and also record title holder having won the Austrian national football title 32 times... (  Austria) |
|
| 1931 | First Vienna FC First Vienna FC First Vienna FC is an Austrian association football club based in the Döbling district of Vienna. Established on 22 August 1894, it is the country's oldest team and has played a notable role in the history of the game there... ( Austria) |
|
| 1932 | Bologna F.C. 1909 Bologna F.C. 1909 Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history... (  Italy) |
|
| 1933 | FK Austria Wien FK Austria Wien Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA... ( Austria) |
|
| 1934 | Bologna F.C. 1909 Bologna F.C. 1909 Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history... ( Italy) |
|
| 1935 | AC Sparta Prague ( Czechoslovakia) |
|
| 1936 | FK Austria Wien FK Austria Wien Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA... ( Austria) |
|
| 1937 | Ferencváros Ferencváros Ferencváros is the 9th district of Budapest , Hungary.- Name :The southern suburb of Pest was named after King Francis I on 4 December 1792 when he was crowned king of Hungary.- History :The development of Ferencváros began in the late 18th century.... ( Hungary) |
|
| 1938 | SK Slavia Praha SK Slavia Praha Sportovní Klub Slavia Praha is a Czech professional football club founded in 1892 in the city of Prague.They play in the Gambrinus liga—the highest competition in the Czech Republic. Alongside Sparta Prague, they are considered one of the top Czech clubs and the rivalry between the two clubs is... ( Czechoslovakia) |
|
| 1939 | Újpest FC Újpest FC Újpest Football Club , earlier known as Újpesti TE and Újpesti Dózsa, is a Hungarian football club, based in Újpest, Budapest. The club's colours are purple and white... ( Hungary) |
|
| 1940–1950 | Tournament not played | |
| 1951 | SK Rapid Wien SK Rapid Wien The Sportklub Rapid Wien is an Austrian football club playing in the country's capital city of Vienna. Rapid is the most popular club in Austria and also record title holder having won the Austrian national football title 32 times... ( Austria) |
Tournament played as "Zentropa Cup" |
| 1955 | Vörös Lobogó ( Hungary) |
|
| 1956 1956 Mitropa Cup The 1956 Mitropa Cup was the 16th season of the Mitropa football club tournament. It was won by Vasas who beat Rapid Wien 9–2 in a play-off match, after the two-legged final ended 4–4 on aggregate.-Quarter-finals:... |
Vasas Budapest ( Hungary) |
|
| 1957 | Vasas Budapest ( Hungary) |
|
| 1958 | Red Star Belgrade Red Star Belgrade Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions... (  Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) |
Tournament held as Donaupokal (Danube cup) |
| 1959 | Budapest Honvéd FC Budapest Honvéd FC Budapest Honvéd FC |football]] team. "Honved" means the Homeland Defense. Originally formed as Kispest AC, they became Kispest FC in 1926 before reverting to their original name in 1944. The team enjoyed a golden age during the 1950s when it was renamed Budapest Honvéd SE and became the Hungarian... (  Hungary) |
|
| 1960 | Hungary Hungary Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The... ( Hungary) |
Results of 6 clubs from 5 countries were added on a national basis |
| 1961 | Bologna F.C. 1909 Bologna F.C. 1909 Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history... (  Italy) |
|
| 1962 | Vasas Budapest ( Hungary) |
|
| 1963 | MTK Budapest ( Hungary) |
|
| 1964 | AC Sparta Prague ( Czechoslovakia) |
|
| 1965 | Vasas Budapest ( Hungary) |
|
| 1966 | AC Fiorentina ACF Fiorentina ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A... ( Italy) |
|
| 1967 | FC Spartak Trnava FC Spartak Trnava FC Spartak Trnava is a Slovak football club based in Trnava, Slovakia. Historically it is one of the most successful clubs in Slovakia, having won the Czechoslovak First League and the Czechoslovak Cup five times, and reaching semifinal of European Cup once and quarterfinal twice. The club plays... ( Czechoslovakia) |
|
| 1968 1967–68 Mitropa Cup The 1967–68 Mitropa Cup was the 28th season of the Mitropa football club tournament. It was contested by sixteen clubs from 15 European cities and 5 countries... |
Red Star Belgrade Red Star Belgrade Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions... ( Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) |
|
| 1969 | Inter Bratislava ( Czechoslovakia) |
|
| 1970 | Vasas Budapest ( Hungary) |
|
| 1971 | NK Čelik Zenica NK Celik Zenica NK Čelik is a football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing in the city of Zenica.The name Čelik means "Steel" in Bosnian - it is derived from Turkish çelik... ( Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) |
|
| 1972 | NK Čelik Zenica NK Celik Zenica NK Čelik is a football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing in the city of Zenica.The name Čelik means "Steel" in Bosnian - it is derived from Turkish çelik... ( Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) |
|
| 1973 | Tatabányai Bányász FC Tatabánya FC Tatabánya is a Hungarian football club based in Tatabánya. They play their home games at Stadion Gyula Grosics.- History :The Tatabányai Sport Klub was founded on February 6, 1910 by Ferenc Frei, a mining engineer... ( Hungary) |
|
| 1974 | Tatabányai Bányász FC Tatabánya FC Tatabánya is a Hungarian football club based in Tatabánya. They play their home games at Stadion Gyula Grosics.- History :The Tatabányai Sport Klub was founded on February 6, 1910 by Ferenc Frei, a mining engineer... ( Hungary) |
|
| 1975 | Admira Wacker ( Austria) |
|
| 1976 | Admira Wacker ( Austria) |
|
| 1977 | Vojvodina Novi Sad FK Vojvodina FK Vojvodina is a football club from Novi Sad, Serbia. The club currently competes in the Serbian SuperLiga. FK Vojvodina is the third oldest football club in Serbia's SuperLiga, after OFK Beograd which was founded in 1911 and FK Javor which was founded in 1912.-History:FK Vojvodina was founded... ( Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) |
|
| 1978 | FK Partizan FK Partizan Fudbalski klub Partizan is a professional football club based in Belgrade, Serbia. In its long history, FK Partizan won as many as 37 trophies. The club is the holder of 23 national championships, 12 national cups and 1 national supercup, and has also won the Mitropa Cup in 1978... ( Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) |
|
| 1979 | Tournament not played | |
| 1980 | Udinese Calcio Udinese Calcio Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa.... ( Italy) |
|
| 1981 | Tatran Prešov ( Czechoslovakia) |
|
| 1982 | AC Milan ( Italy) |
|
| 1983 | Vasas Budapest ( Hungary) |
|
| 1984 | SC Eisenstadt ( Austria) |
|
| 1985 | Iskra Bugojno ( Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) |
|
| 1986 | SC Pisa ( Italy) |
|
| 1987 | Ascoli Calcio ( Italy) |
|
| 1988 | SC Pisa ( Italy) |
|
| 1989 | FC Baník Ostrava FC Baník Ostrava FC Baník Ostrava is a football club from the Silesian part of the city of Ostrava, Czech Republic. It is based in Slezská Ostrava district of the city.... ( Czechoslovakia) |
|
| 1990 | A.S. Bari A.S. Bari Associazione Sportiva Bari is an Italian football club founded in 1908, they are based in Bari, Apulia and plays in Serie B. The club have spent many seasons bouncing between the top two divisions in Italian football, Serie A and Serie B.... ( Italy) |
|
| 1991 | Torino Calcio ( Italy) |
|
| 1992 | Borac Banja Luka Borac Banja Luka Borac is a sports society with several teams, from the city of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Borac means "Fighter" and the clubs supporters are called Lešinari/Лешинари which means Vultures.... ( Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) |
|
External links
The history of the tournament site - International Federation of Football History & Statistics - IFFHS
- 1927 year date, score, report , all games tournament
- 1928 year date, score, report , all games tournament
- 1929 year date, score, report , all games tournament
- 1930 year date, score, report , all games tournament
- 1931 year date, score, report , all games tournament
- 1932 year date, score, report , all games tournament
- 1933 year date, score, report , all games tournament
- 1936 year date, score, report , all games tournament (part 1) + all games tournament (part 2) + all games tournament (part 3)
- 1938 year date, score, report , all games tournament => in the process of drafting
- 1939 year date, score, all games tournament - in the process of drafting
- 1940 year date, score, all games tournament - in the process of drafting