English clubs in the European Cup and UEFA Champions League a victory over Barcelona in the opening group game. English clubs in the European Cup and UEFA Champions League The UEFA Champions League (previously known as the European Cup) is a seasonal club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since 1955 for the most successful football clubs in Europe. The prize, the European Champion Clubs' Cup, is considered the most prestigious club trophy in the sport. As of the end of the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League season, English clubs have twelve European Cup wins along with clubs from Italy. Incidentally, Real Madrid from Spain have
2008–09 UEFA Champions League first Spanish team to win the Treble. Manchester United were the first defending champions to reach the final of the competition since Juventus in 1997, but they failed to become the first club to defend the European Cup since Milan in 1990. Statistics exclude qualifying rounds. 2008–09 UEFA Champions League The 2008–09 UEFA Champions League was the 54th edition of Europe's premier club football tournament and the 17th edition under the current UEFA Champions League format. The final was played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on 27 May 2009. It was the eighth time the European Cup final has