1980–81 UEFA Cup — 10th season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA
Ipswich Town won their only European title by defeating AZ Alkmaar 5–4 on aggregate in the 1980–81 UEFA Cup final.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 10th edition of the UEFA Cup
- Winner
- Ipswich Town (England)
- Runner-up
- AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)
- Aggregate score
- 5–4 in favour of Ipswich Town
- First leg venue
- Portman Road, Ipswich, England
- Second leg venue
- Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cause → Event → Consequence
The UEFA Cup, established as a secondary European club competition, reached its 10th edition in 1980–81. Both Ipswich Town and AZ Alkmaar had progressed through the rounds to become unlikely finalists, neither club having previously appeared in a major European final.
The final was contested over two legs, with the first leg at Portman Road in Ipswich, England, and the second at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Ipswich Town defeated AZ Alkmaar by an aggregate score of 5–4 to claim the trophy.
Ipswich Town secured their only ever European title, a feat they have not repeated. As of 2024, both clubs have not returned to a major European final. The tournament also saw the introduction of UEFA rankings to determine national team quotas and the abolition of the old Fairs Cup entry criteria.