Balkans Cup

Last updated
Balkans Cup
1968BK4-455x700.jpg
Balkans Cup trophy in 1968
Founded1961;63 years ago (1961)
Abolished1994;30 years ago (1994)
Region Southeast Europe
Number of teamsVarious
Related competitions Balkan Cup
Last champions Flag of Turkey.svg Samsunspor
(1st title)
Most successful club(s) Flag of Bulgaria.svg Beroe Stara Zagora (4 titles)

The Balkans Cup was an international football competition for clubs from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey, and Yugoslavia. It was introduced in 1961 and was very popular in the 1960s (the 1967 final attracted 42,000 spectators), [1] being the second most important international club competition for clubs from the region (after the European Champions' Cup in which the champions could play; the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup originally attracted few teams from the region as many did not organise domestic cups regularly and only Yugoslavia had significant representation in the Fairs Cup). [1]

Contents

It later declined after Balkan clubs obtained more representation in the two minor UEFA competitions, in contrast to the (much older but also defunct) Balkan Cup (not Balkans) for national teams.

Editions

Finals on Home and Away basis, except noted otherwise.
a → first leg of the final
Year(s)
of Edition
Nr of Clubs
& Format
Winner
(or Champion in Group Format)
Results of Finals
(or Points in Group Format)
Finalist
(or Runner-up in Group Format)
1960–61
Details
5
type-A
Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg Steagul Roşu Braşov 13 – 8 Points RR Flag of Bulgaria.svg Levski Sofia
1961–63
Details
8
type-B
Flag of Greece.svg Olympiacos a1–0 / 0–1 / 1–0
Play-off match in Istanbul, Turkey.
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Levski Sofia
1963–64
Details
Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg Rapid Bucureşti 2–0 / 1–1a Flag of Bulgaria.svg Spartak Plovdiv
1964–66
Details
Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg Rapid Bucureşti a3–3 / 2–0 Flag of Romania (1952-1965).svg Farul Constanţa
1966–67
Details
Flag of Turkey.svg Fenerbahçe 1–0 / 1–2a / 3–1
Play-off match in Istanbul, Turkey. [2]
Flag of Greece.svg AEK Athens
1967–68
Details
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Beroe Stara Zagora a3–0 / 3–4 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Spartak Sofia
1969
Details
6
type-C
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Beroe Stara Zagora 3–0 / 0–1a
2nd Leg: Dinamo walked off while losing 0–1.
Flag of Albania (1946-1992).svg Dinamo Tirana
1970
Details
Flag of Albania (1946-1992).svg Partizani Tirana 3–0 / 1–1a
2nd Leg: Beroe did not show up.
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Beroe Stara Zagora
1971
Details
Flag of Greece (1970-1975).svg Panionios a2–1 / 1–1 Flag of Albania (1946-1992).svg Besa Kavajë
1972
Details
Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg Trakia Plovdiv a5–0 / 0–4 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Vardar Skopje
1973
Details
Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg Lokomotiv Sofia 2–0 / 1–1a Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg ASA Târgu Mureș
1974
Details
Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg Akademik Sofia a2–1 / 0–0 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Vardar Skopje
1975
Details
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Radnički Niš a1–0 / 2–1 Flag of Turkey.svg Eskişehirspor
1976
Details
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Dinamo Zagreb a3–1 / 2–3 Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg Sportul Studențesc
1977
Details
Flag of Greece.svg Panathinaikos 2–1 / 0–0a Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg Slavia Sofia
1977–78
Details
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg NK Rijeka 4–1 / 0–1a Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg Jiul Petroşani
1979–80
Details
Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg Sportul Studențesc a2–0 / 1–1 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg NK Rijeka
1980–81
Details
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Velež Mostar 6–2 / 6–5a Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg Trakia Plovdiv
1981–83
Details
Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg Beroe Stara Zagora a3–0 / 3–1 Flag of Albania (1946-1992).svg 17 Nëntori Tirana
1983–84
Details
3
type-D
Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg Beroe Stara Zagora 6 – 4 Points RR Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg Argeş Piteşti
1984–85
Details
8
type-E
Flag of Greece.svg Iraklis Thessaloniki 4–1 / 1–3a Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg Argeş Piteşti
1986
Details
Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg Slavia Sofia a3–0 / 2–3 Flag of Greece.svg Panionios
1987–88
Details
10
type-F
Flag of Bulgaria (1971-1990).svg Slavia Sofia a5–1 / 1–0 Flag of Romania (1965-1989).svg Argeş Piteşti
1988–89
Details
6
type-C
Flag of Greece.svg OFI Crete 3–1
One Final in Serres, Greece.
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Radnički Niš
1989–90The Balkans Cup did not take place due to the Romanian Revolution of 1989 .
1990–91
Details
6
type-G
Flag of Romania.svg Inter Sibiu 1–0 (a.e.t) / 0–0a Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Budućnost Podgorica
1991–92
Details
5
type-H
Flag of Turkey.svg Sarıyer 1–0 / 0–0a Flag of Romania.svg Oţelul Galaţi
1992–93
Details
6
type-G
Flag of Greece.svg Edessaikos 3–1 / 0–1a Flag of Bulgaria.svg Etar Veliko Tarnovo
1993–94
Details
4
type-I
Flag of Turkey.svg Samsunspor 2–0 / 3–0a Flag of Greece.svg PAS Giannina
type-A: One group of 5 clubs.
type-B: Two groups of 4, top clubs qualifying for the final.
type-C: Two groups of 3, top clubs qualifying for the final.
type-D: One group of 3 clubs.
type-E: Knock-out (Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Final).
type-F: Two groups of 3 and one group of 4, top clubs plus the best runner-up qualifying for the Knock-out Semifinals.
type-G: Knock-out (Preliminary round qualifying 2 clubs out of 4 → Semifinals → Final).
type-H: Knock-out (Preliminary round qualifying 1 club out of 2 → Semifinals → Final).
type-I: Knock-out (Semifinals → Final).

Performances

By club

When sorted by year of winning or losing final(s), the table is sorted by the year of each club's first final.

ClubWinnersFinalistsFinalsYears of WinningYears of LosingEntriesNotes
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Beroe Stara Zagora 41 4 [3] 1968, 1969, 1983, 1984197071984 Top Spot in Group
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Slavia Sofia 2131986, 198819775
Flag of Romania.svg Rapid Bucureşti 2-21964, 19662Winner in Both Entries
Flag of Greece.svg Panionios 112 1971 19863
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Trakia Plovdiv 112197219812Reached Final in Both Entries
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Radnički Niš 112197519893
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg NK Rijeka 112197819802Reached Final in Both Entries
Flag of Romania.svg Sportul Studențesc 112198019763
Flag of Greece.svg Olympiacos 1-1 1963 3
Flag of Turkey.svg Fenerbahçe 1-1 1967 4
Flag of Albania.svg Partizani Tirana 1-119705
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Lokomotiv Sofia 1-119734
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Akademik Sofia 1-119742
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Dinamo Zagreb 1-119761
Flag of Greece.svg Panathinaikos 1-119771
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Velež Mostar 1-119811
Flag of Greece.svg Iraklis Thessaloniki 1-119853
Flag of Greece.svg OFI Crete 1-119892
Flag of Romania.svg Inter Sibiu 1-1 1991 1
Flag of Turkey.svg Sarıyer 1-1 1992 1
Flag of Greece.svg Edessaikos 1-1 1993 1
Flag of Turkey.svg Samsunspor 1-1 1994 2
Flag of Romania.svg Steagul Roşu Braşov 1- - [4] 1961 41961 Top Spot in Group
Flag of Romania.svg Argeş Piteşti -2 2 [3] 1984, 1985, 198831984 Runner-up in Group
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Vardar Skopje -221972, 19744
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Levski Sofia -1 1 [4] 1961, 1963 31961 Runner-up in Group
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Spartak Plovdiv -1119642
Flag of Romania.svg Farul Constanţa -1119664
Flag of Greece.svg AEK Athens -11 1967 4
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Spartak Sofia -11 1968 1
Flag of Albania.svg Dinamo Tirana -1119695
Flag of Albania.svg Besa Kavajë -11 1971 2
Flag of Romania.svg Târgu Mureș -1119732
Flag of Turkey.svg Eskişehirspor -1119753
Flag of Romania.svg Jiul Petroşani -1119781
Flag of Albania.svg 17 Nëntori Tirana -1119834
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Budućnost Podgorica -11 1991 2
Flag of Romania.svg Oţelul Galaţi -11 1992 1
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Etar Veliko Tarnovo -11 1993 3
Flag of Greece.svg PAS Giannina -11 1994 2
Total28265252 Teams in Finals, since 1961 and 1983–84 editions were contested in Group Format.

By country

Clubs from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia competed as part of SFR Yugoslavia.

CountryWinnersFinalistsFinalsClubs won in final(s)Clubs did not win in final(s)
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria 9 7 [4] 15 [5] Beroe Stara Zagora (4)
Slavia Sofia (2)
Trakia Plovdiv (1)
Lokomotiv Sofia (1)
Akademik Sofia (1)
Levski Sofia (1 + Runner-up spot in 1961.)
Spartak Plovdiv (1) Spartak Sofia (1)
Beroe Stara Zagora (1)
Slavia Sofia (1) Trakia Plovdiv (1)
Etar Veliko Tarnovo (1)
Flag of Greece.svg Greece 639 Olympiacos Piraeus (1)
Panionios Smyrna (Athens) (1)
Panathinaikos Athens (1)
Iraklis Thessaloniki (1)
OFI Crete (1)
Edessaikos Edessa (1)
AEK Athens (1)
Panionios Smyrna (Athens) (1)
PAS Giannina Ioannina (1)
Flag of Romania.svg Romania 5 7 [3] 11 [5] Rapid Bucureşti (2)
Steagul Roşu Braşov (1)
Sportul Studențesc Bucureşti (1)
Inter Sibiu (1)
Argeş Piteşti (2 + Runner-up spot in 1983–84.)
Farul Constanţa (1) ASA 1962 Târgu Mureș (1)
Sportul Studențesc Bucureşti (1)
Jiul Petroşani (1) Oţelul Galaţi (1)
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Yugoslavia 459
Dinamo Zagreb (1) NK Rijeka (1)
Radnički Niš (1)
Velež Mostar (1)
___
___

NK Rijeka (1)
Radnički Niš (1)
——
Vardar Skopje (2)
Budućnost Podgorica (1)
213
112
1-1
-22
-11
Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 314 Fenerbahçe İstanbul (1)
Sarıyer İstanbul (1)
Samsunspor (Samsun) (1)
Eskişehirspor (Eskişehir) (1)
Flag of Albania.svg Albania 134 Partizani Tirana (1) Dinamo Tirana (1) Besa Kavajë (1)
17 Nëntori Tirana (1)
Total28265252 Teams in Finals, since 1961 and 1983–84 editions were contested in Group Format.

Top performer by country:

CountryClubWinnersFinalistsFinalsEntriesNotes
Flag of Bulgaria.svg BUL Beroe Stara Zagora 41 4 [3] 7Balkans Cup record holder in wins, finals reached and entries.
Flag of Romania.svg ROU Rapid Bucureşti 2-22
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg YUG NK Rijeka 1122 Radnički Niš Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg same performance in 3 entries.
Flag of Greece.svg GRE Panionios Smyrna (Athens) 1123
Flag of Turkey.svg TUR Sarıyer İstanbul 1-11 Samsunspor and Fenerbahçe Flag of Turkey.svg 1 win in 2 and 4 entries respectively.
Flag of Albania.svg ALB Partizani Tirana 1-15

Participation

By club

In the 33 years of its existence, a total of 89 clubs from 6 countries appeared in the 28 Balkans Cup editions. Two of them, both Turkish, withdrawn their participation before playing a single match: Zonguldakspor in 1980–81 and Trabzonspor in 1986. Sides with 4 entries or more:

ClubCountryEntriesWinnersFinalistsFinalsFirst EditionLast EditionNotes
Beroe Stara Zagora Flag of Bulgaria.svg BUL 741 4 [3] 1967–681992–93
Slavia Sofia Flag of Bulgaria.svg BUL 521319771987–88
Partizani Flag of Albania.svg ALB 51-119611979–80
Dinamo Tirana Flag of Albania.svg ALB 5-111961–631987–88
Galatasaray Flag of Turkey.svg TUR 5---1961–631990–91Also Withdrew in 1977–78 and 1979–80.
Steagul Roşu Braşov Flag of Romania.svg ROU 41- - [4] 19611972
Fenerbahçe Flag of Turkey.svg TUR 41-119611967–68Also Withdrew in 1963–64.
Lokomotiv Sofia Flag of Bulgaria.svg BUL 41-11966–671988–89
Vardar Skopje Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg YUG 4-221964–661974
Farul Constanţa Flag of Romania.svg ROU 4-111964–661975
AEK Athens Flag of Greece.svg GRE 4-1119611980–81
17 Nëntori Tirana Flag of Albania.svg ALB 4-111964–661990–91

By country

Bulgarian and Turkish sides were present at each one of the 28 Balkans Cup editions, while Yugoslavian were absent 9 times in total, entering just twice during its last decade of existence (ironically, reaching both finals). Generally, South Slavs (both Football Association and clubs) were never keen supporters of the competition, as they had neither been enthusiastic about the national teams' Balkan Cup, too.

Bulgaria Turkey Romania Greece Albania Yugoslavia
Number of different sides that entered151718151212
Editions of Balkans Cup that
[1]Country was represented by at least one club282827272620
[2]Country's club withdrew before playing a match511
[3]Country was still represented by another club11
[4]Country's clubs competed(=[1]-[2]+[3])282427272619
Country's clubs were absent(=28 total editions-[4])41129
Years/editions that country's clubs were absent1977 to 1981
1986
1993–94
(Last Cup)
1983–841983 to 19851961 (First Cup)
1983 to 1988
1991–end
[5]Editions a club quit after playing at least one match15141
Editions a club withdrew or quit (=[2]+[5])110152
[6]Editions with double entry85631
[7]Total entries (=[4]-[3]+[6])362833292719
[8]Cups won935614
% success in winning the Cup (=[8]÷[7]×100)25%11%15%21%4%21%
[9]Finals reached 154 11 [5] 949
% success in reaching the final (=[9]÷[7]×100)'42%14%33%31%15%47%

Despite the fact that in each edition there was at least one Turkish side initially entering, in no less than 5 occasions it withdrew before playing a single match and in 5 more quit during group stage, after unsuccessful results. Greeks followed with 1 withdrawal and 4 quits, while clubs from all countries had sporadically terminated their participation in some early stage of the competition, except for Albanian. Multiple winner and several other records holder Beroe Stara Zagora, became the only Bulgarian side ever to withdraw or quit a Balkans Cup match and the single one to do so in a final, by not showing up for 1970 edition's return leg against Partizani Tirana of Albania, following a 1-1 draw at home.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Balkans Cup". rsssf.com. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  2. Draw for the venue was held by FIFA President Sir Stanley Rous.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 1983–84 edition not included, since contested in Group Format.
  4. 1 2 3 4 1961 edition not included, since contested in Group Format.
  5. 1 2 3 1961 and 1983–84 editions not included, since contested in Group Format.