Michael Laudrup avoids a Sampdoria defender's sliding tackle Dutch national team had assembled what became known as the Dream Team It was a talented group of exciting attackers artful midfielders and steely defenders collected from across Europe Spanish stars Pep Guardiola and José Mari Bakero combined with Danish playmaker Michael Laudrup in the midfield Dutch defender Ronald Koeman anchored the back line and devastated opponents with his free kicks Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoichkov meanwhile was one of the world’s most dangerous goal scorers Together they made a powerful team On May 20 1992 they gathered under the lights of London’s famous Wembley Stadium They were within one victory of capturing that elusive prize The European club championship now known as the UEFA Champions League was on the line Coming Close Since the competition began in 1955 56 Barcelona had several strong showings at the European Cup But each time it fell short In 1961 and 1986 Barcelona had advanced all the way to the final only to lose 6
EUROPEAN SOCCER The European soccer season is broken down into different levels of competition It can be confusing to keep track of it all Here’s a handy guide to help you follow the action League Play The 20 best teams in Spain play in La Liga Teams play all league opponents twice each season for 38 total games The three teams with the worst records are relegated or sent down to the second division which sends its top three teams up to replace them the next season European Play The top three teams in La Liga qualify for the group stage of the Union of European Football Associations UEFA Champions League This annual tournament involves the best teams from the top leagues throughout Europe The Champions League debuted in 1992 It replaced the European Cup a similar tournament that began in 1955 The fourth-place team enters Champions League play in the qualifying round The next two teams from La Liga qualify for the UEFA Europa League The Europa League is Europe’s second-tier tournament It runs in a similar manner to the Champions League but crowns its own winner The Europa League debuted in 1971 as the UEFA Cup but was renamed in 2009 Domestic Cups Teams from the top four levels of Spanish soccer are eligible to play in the Copa del Rey or King’s Cup Founded in 1903 the tournament is the oldest in Spain The winning team automatically qualifies for the Europa League It also faces the champion of La Liga in the Supercopa de España Spanish Super Cup 8
Barcelona supporters turned out in full force at Wembley Stadium Even worse archrival Real Madrid had won six European titles and become the most successful club in history along the way In 1992 Barcelona again found itself just one win away from ending its quest But a talented Italian team Sampdoria stood in its way Go out and enjoy it Cruyff told his players in the dressing room before the game Then they went out and battled as 9
