HistoryData
general1971

1971 European Cup Final — football match

June 2, 1971

Ajax's 2–0 victory over Panathinaikos secured their first European Cup title; it remains the only European Cup/Champions League final appearance by a Greek club.

Quick Facts

Year
1971
Category
general

Key Facts

Date
2 June 1971
Venue
Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance
83,179 spectators
Final score
Ajax 2–0 Panathinaikos
First goal (5th min)
Dick van Dijk
Second goal (87th min)
Arie Haan (deflection off Kapsis)

By the Numbers

2
Date
83,179spectators
Attendance
2
Final score

Location

Map of London, EnglandMap of London, EnglandLondon, England

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Ajax and Panathinaikos each progressed through four rounds of the 1970–71 European Cup. Ajax won all ties by at least two goals, including a 5–1 aggregate over Basel, while Panathinaikos survived two tight knockout rounds via the away goals rule before reaching their first ever European Cup final.

Event

On 2 June 1971 at Wembley Stadium before 83,179 spectators, Ajax defeated Panathinaikos 2–0. Dick van Dijk opened the scoring in the 5th minute, and Arie Haan sealed the result in the 87th minute when his shot deflected off Panathinaikos defender Anthimos Kapsis into the net.

Consequence

The victory gave Ajax their first European Cup title. It marked the beginning of a dominant period for Dutch football, with Ajax going on to win the competition in 1972 and 1973. For Panathinaikos, the final remains the sole appearance by any Greek club in a European Cup or UEFA Champions League final.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 197119711968196919701972197319741971 treaty between Italy and Tunisia1971 European Athletics Championships — 1971 edition of the European Athletics Championships1971–72 European Cup — 17th season of the UEFA club football tournament1971 Formula One season — sports seasonEurovision Song Contest 1971 — 16th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest1971–72 UEFA Cup — inaugural season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA1971 World Women's Handball Championship — 1971 edition of the World Women's Handball ChampionshipEuroBasket 1971 — 1971 edition of the FIBA EuroBasket1971-european-cup-final-football-match-1971