How Chelsea completed a historic European trifecta in Amsterdam
In short: In May 2013, a single victory in the Netherlands secured a rare footballing milestone. By defeating Benfica 2–1, Chelsea became the first English club to hold all three major European trophies, following a complex season of shifting tournament slots and unexpected transfers.
The 201s2–13 UEFA Europa League season, the 42nd edition of Europe's secondary club tournament, was defined by significant structural shifts. While Atlético Madrid entered as the defending champions, their campaign ended prematurely in the Round of 32 at the hands of Rubin Kazan. The tournament featured 193 teams representing 53 UEFA member associations, with entry determined by the 2011 UEFA country coefficients. This complex system allocated varying numbers of slots, ranging from three teams for the top six associations to just one for Liechtenstein, which participates because it lacks a domestic league.
The competition's landscape was further complicated by a series of cascading vacancies. Because Atlético Madrid qualified for the group stage through both their title and their fifth-place finish in La Liga, a spot opened up. This triggered a chain reaction of promotions across various qualifying rounds. For instance, the domestic cup winners from Russia were moved directly to the group stage, while clubs from Switzerland, Israel, Austria, and Cyprus were promoted through the play-off and third qualifying rounds respectively. Even smaller associations like Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, and Georgia saw their cup winners move up from the first to the second qualifying round.
The final, held on 15 May 2013, at the Amsterdam Arena, showcased the tournament's high stakes. Chelsea entered the competition at the Round of 32 after finishing third in their Champions League group. Their 2–1 victory over Benfica was not just a single-match triumph; it was a historic achievement. At the time, Chelsea joined an elite group of clubs—including Juventus, Ajax, and Bayern Munich—to have won the Europa League, but they stood alone as the first English side to possess the Champions League, the Europa League, and the Cup Winners' Cup simultaneously.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2012–13 UEFA Europa League
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