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The 1973 European Cup Final was a football match held at the Stadion Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade, on May 30, 1973, that saw AFC Ajax of the Netherlands defeat Juventus F.C. of Italy 1 - 0. A single goal from Johnny Rep 4 minutes after the start of play was enough for Ajax to claim their 3rd European Cup in a row. This victory meant that Ajax had earned the privilege of permanently keeping the trophy.
[edit] Match Summary
Juventus were entitled to feel confident about their chances. With the millions of the Agnelli family at their disposal, the Turin side had been able to spend a world record fee on striker Pietro Anastasi who was paired alongside former European Cup winner Jose Altafini. With Dino Zoff in goal and Fabio Capello and Franco Causio in midfield, they had a team that would normally be more than capable of becoming European Champions. Unfortunately for them they were up against one of the best teams in European Cup history.
The final in Belgrade saw Ajax confirm their claims to greatness as they strolled to victory. The 1,000th European Cup tie saw the Dutch masters begin at breakneck speed with Cruyff hitting a post after only three minutes, and Johnny Rep – the only Ajax man playing in his first final - heading Ajax into the lead just two minutes later as he rose above Marchetti at the far post to meet a cross from Blankenburg and power the ball past Dino Zoff for the opening goal. From then on, the reigning champions remained in complete control of the game. Cruyff pulled the strings but every Ajax player was comfortable on the ball, mobile and intelligent. Juventus, a side that relied on strong defence and counter attacks were completely unable to threaten Ajax’s lead and were left as virtual spectators as their opponents demonstrated how far ahead of the rest of Europe they now were. There could have been more goals, Muhren missed when set up brilliantly by Cruyff just before the interval, and Barry Hulshoff headed a Keizer cross onto the crossbar near the end, but one goal was always going to be enough as the Dutch players virtually strolled their way to a third consecutive European Cup Final victory.
There had been several outstanding club sides in Europe since 1960, but Ajax had been the first that could challenge the great Real Madrid side for the mantle of ‘Greatest Team Ever.’ No-one can know whether the team of Johan Cruijff, Johnny Rep, Johan Neeskens and Arie Haan would have beaten the Real of Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Gento and Canario, but their three year domination of the European Cup certainly gave them the right to be placed in such company. With their ‘total football’ Ajax had not only ruled over Europe, but they had done so with a spellbinding brand of football that had not been seen before and would never be matched again. Sadly this era of Ajax greatness was about to come to an end, but their victory in Belgrade, while not necessarily being their most spectacular, was the highpoint of this great Ajax side. The champions of Italy, Juventus had been brushed aside with almost contemptuous ease, just as so many other sides had been over the previous three years and, having recently beaten the South American champions Independiente, Ajax were now the undisputed champions of the world. Now, on a hot steamy night in front of over 90,000 spectators and millions more around the world, Ajax had shown that they were worthy of such status and that they were ready to take their place alongside the greatest teams in history.
[edit] Match details
- Referee:
Milivoje Gugulović
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
AFC Ajax
