Chelsea In Europe

[paulllambert]

If (I know it's a big IF) Chelsea win this season's Europa League, will they be the first team to hold two European trophies at the same time (not counting the Super Cup)?

[SeaJayPea]

Well, no team has ever won the European Cup one year and the Cup-Winners or UEFA Cup the next. It couldn't be done, the winner always gets into the next year's competition.

And no team won the Cup-Winners' Cup one year and the Fairs/UEFA Cup the next.

They've recently changed the rule to allow teams to get into both if beaten in the CL, wrongly in my opinion, so I guess that nice Mr Abramovich could be the first owner to get his hands on both trophies.

If they do win it, they'll hold both trophies for 10 days - the Europa final is 15th May, the CL one is on the 25th.

[Arksided]

Brilliant SeJayPea well answered. I totally agree about once in one European competition and get knocked out, you're out. This fall back system makes a mockery of the old Uefa cup and Champs league... (don't get me started) the old system was far better with the 'Cup winners cup' been separate as well.

[paulllambert]

Thanks CJP, that was my thinking. I also agree that once you've gone out of one competition, that should be it for the season.

[Hopkirk]

Don't worry, they won't win it the way they are playing.