Middlesbrough

4-2

Steau Bucharest

Maccarone 33, Viduka 64, Riggot 74, Maccarone 89

 

Dica 16, Goian 24


(Middlesbrough win 4-3 on aggregate)

UEFA Cup Semi-Final
Second Leg
Thursday 27 April, 2006
The Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough made yet another staggering four goal comeback at The Riverside to book their place in the UEFA Cup final and for the first time in 21 years there will be two English sides in European finals.

After coming from 3-0 down against Basle in the quarter-finals, there were few who believed that lightning could strike twice but showing incredible spirit and persistance Boro never gave up.

Falling three goals behind once more it seemed that their chance had gone, but Massimo Maccarone gave them hope before half-time. In the second half Steve McClaren's side needed a miracle and that is exactly what happened.

With goals from Mark Viduka and Chris Riggot the tie was setup for an exciting climax, and just as he did against Basle Maccarone fired the winning goal to send the capacity crowd at The Riverside delirious.

The incredible comeback, together with Arsenal's presence in the UEFA Champions League final, means that for the first time since 1985 when Liverpool played Juventus in the European Cup Final and Everton lifted the European Cup Winners Cup there will be two English teams in European finals.

The last time two English sides claimed the European Cup and UEFA Cup in the same season was just a year earlier, in 1984, when Tottenham lifted the UEFA Cup by defeating Anderlecht and Liverpool won the European Cup beating Roma.

English sides have an impressive record when it comes to having two sides in European finals, as well as '85 and '84 there have been six other ocassions when there have been two English sides in European finals.

In 1981 Ipswich and Liverpool lifted the UEFA Cup and European Cup respectively, in '76 Liverpool and West Ham appeared in the UEFA and Cup Winners Cup finals, in '73 Leeds and Liverpool appeared in the Cup Winners Cup and UEFA Cup finals.

In '71 Leeds and Chelsea appeared in the Fairs and Cup Winners Cup finals, in '70 Arsenal and Manchester City made it to the Fairs and Cup Winners Cup finals and in 1968 Leeds and Manchester United lifted the Fairs and European Cups.

To see the record of English clubs in Europe over the last 50 years click here and to see the record of English clubs in the European Cup click here.