FC Utrecht in European football

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FC Utrecht in European football
Club FC Utrecht
Seasons played16
First entry 1980–81 UEFA Cup
Latest entry 2025–26 UEFA Europa League

FC Utrecht in European football refers to the participation of FC Utrecht, a football club from the Netherlands, in UEFA competitions. Since making their debut in 1980, FC Utrecht have appeared in several editions of the UEFA Cup and later the Europa League, with occasional entries in the Cup Winners’ Cup and Intertoto Cup. The club’s most notable achievements include reaching the UEFA Cup group stage in 2004–05 and again in the Europa League in 2010–11, where they faced major clubs such as SSC Napoli, Liverpool F.C., and FCSB. Although often eliminated in the early rounds, FC Utrecht have recorded memorable victories over opponents including Celtic F.C., Grazer AK, and MŠK Žilina.

Contents

History

1980s

FC Utrecht made its European debut in 1980. After defeating FC Argeș Pitești in their first tie, they were eliminated by Eintracht Frankfurt. Later in the decade they lost to Hamburger SV, FC Porto, and FC Dynamo Kyiv. Their best results came with victories over LASK before falling to Hellas Verona FC.

1990s

European appearances were rare in the 1990s. Utrecht eliminated SK Sturm Graz in the first round but were knocked out by Real Madrid CF in the next stage. The rest of the decade saw no continental football for the club.

2000s

The early 2000s brought renewed activity in Europe. FC Utrecht overcame Grazer AK but lost to parma, and were later beaten by Legia Warsaw. Their strongest run came in 2004, when they comfortably defeated MŠK Žilina and then entered the group stage. There they faced Real Zaragoza, FC Dnipro, Club Brugge KV, and FK Austria Wien, but did not progress further. An Intertoto Cup appearance in 2007 ended with elimination against Hammarby Fotboll on away goals.

2010s

The highlight of the decade came in 2010, when FC Utrecht advanced past KF Tirana, FC Luzern, and Celtic F.C. to qualify for the Europa League group stage. There they played SSC Napoli, Liverpool F.C., and FCSB, earning respectable results but finishing bottom of the group. Later campaigns ended earlier, including a surprise defeat to FC Differdange 03 in 2013, a narrow elimination against Lech Poznań, a play-off defeat to FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, and an exit against HŠK Zrinjski Mostar.

2020s

In the mid-2020s FC Utrecht returned to European competition. They overcame FC Sheriff Tiraspol and Servette FC to reach the play-off round.

Overall record

As of 25 September 2025
CompetitionPldWDLGFGAGDW%
Cup Winners' Cup 210135−2050.00
UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League 612118228377+6034.43
UEFA Intertoto Cup 202011+0000.00
Total652220238783+4033.85

Source: UEFA.com
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal Difference; W% = Win percentage. Defunct competitions indicated in italics.

Top scorers

As of 21 August 2025
RankGoalsPlayerDate of last goalCompetition
19 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ricky van Wolfswinkel 2 December 2010 2010–11 UEFA Europa League
25 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Stefaan Tanghe 16 September 2004 2004–05 UEFA Cup
Flag of Denmark.svg Victor Jensen 21 August 2025 2025–26 UEFA Europa League
44 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Hans van de Haar 16 September 2004 2004–05 UEFA Cup
Flag of Zambia.svg Jacob Mulenga 25 July 2013 2013–14 UEFA Europa League
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Willy Carbo 30 September 1981 1981–82 UEFA Cup
73 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dirk Kuyt 3 October 2002 2002–03 UEFA Cup
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Dries Mertens 4 November 2010 2010–11 UEFA Europa League
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ton de Kruijk 2 October 1985 1985–86 European Cup Winners' Cup
Flag of Poland.svg Włodzimierz Smolarek 23 October 1991 1991–92 UEFA Cup

Opponents by country

As of 25 September 2025
RankCountryMatchesWonDrawLostGoals forGoals againstOpponents
1 Flag of Austria.svg Austria7421136 Austria Wien (1), Grazer AK (2), LASK (2), Sturm Graz (2)
2 Flag of Italy.svg Italy604269 Hellas Verona (2), Parma (2), Napoli (2)
3 Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Bosnia and Herzegovina412143 Zrinjski Mostar (4)
Flag of Germany.svg Germany4202710 Eintracht Frankfurt (2), Hamburger SV (2)
Flag of Poland.svg Poland402249 Lech Poznań (2), Legia Warsaw (2)
Flag of Romania.svg Romania412144 Argeș Pitești (2), Steaua București (2)
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden412154 Djurgården IF (2), Hammarby IF (2)
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland440093 Luzern (2), Servette (2)
9 Flag of France.svg France301205 Auxerre (2), Olympique Lyonnais (1)
Flag of Spain.svg Spain300316 Real Madrid (2), Zaragoza (1)
Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine310247 Dnipro (1), Dynamo Kyiv (2)
12 Flag of Albania.svg Albania211051 Tirana (2)
Flag of England.svg England202000 Liverpool (2)
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg201145 Differdange 03 (2)
Flag of Malta.svg Malta211031 Valletta (2)
Flag of Moldova.svg Moldova220072 Sheriff Tiraspol (2)
Flag of Portugal (official).svg Portugal200203 Porto (2)
Flag of Russia.svg Russia210112 Zenit Saint Petersburg (2)
Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland210142 Celtic (2)
Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia220060 Žilina (2)
21 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium100101 Club Brugge (1)

Most frequent opponents

As of 28 August 2025
RankClubCountryPldWDLGFGA
1 HŠK Zrinjski Mostar Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 412143

European match history

As of 25 September 2025
CompetitionRoundOpponentHomeAwayAggregate
1980–81 UEFA Cup First round Flag of Romania.svg Argeș Pitești 2–0 [1] 0–0 [2] 2–0
Second round Flag of Germany.svg Eintracht Frankfurt 2–1 [3] 1–3 [4] 3–4
1981–82 UEFA Cup First round Flag of Germany.svg Hamburger SV 3–6 [5] 1–0 [6] 4–6
1982–83 UEFA Cup First round Flag of Portugal (official).svg Porto 0–1 [7] 0–2 [8] 0–3
1985–86 European Cup Winners' Cup First round Flag of Ukraine.svg Dynamo Kyiv [note 1] 2–1 [9] 1–4 [10] 3–5
1987–88 UEFA Cup First round Flag of Austria.svg LASK 2–0 [11] 0–0 [12] 2–0
Second round Flag of Italy.svg Hellas Verona 1–1 [13] 1–2 [14] 2–3
1991–92 UEFA Cup First round Flag of Austria.svg Sturm Graz 3–1 [15] 1–0 [16] 4–1
Second round Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid 1–3 [17] 0–1 [18] 1–4
2001–02 UEFA Cup First round Flag of Austria.svg Grazer AK 3–0 [19] 3–3 [20] 6–3
Second round Flag of Italy.svg Parma 1–3 [21] 0–0 [22] 1–3
2002–03 UEFA Cup First round Flag of Poland.svg Legia Warsaw 1–3 [23] 1–4 [24] 2–7
2003–04 UEFA Cup First round Flag of Slovakia.svg Žilina 2–0 [25] 4–0 [26] 6–0
Second round Flag of France.svg Auxerre 0–0 [27] 0–4 [28] 0–4
2004–05 UEFA Cup First round Flag of Sweden.svg Djurgården IF 4–0 [29] 0–3 [30] 4–3
Group stage Flag of Spain.svg Zaragoza —0–2 [31] 5th
Flag of Ukraine.svg Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 1–2 [32] —
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Club Brugge —0–1 [33]
Flag of Austria.svg Austria Wien 1–2 [34] —
2007 Intertoto Cup Third round Flag of Sweden.svg Hammarby IF 1–10–01–1 (a)
2010–11 Europa League Second qualifying round Flag of Albania.svg Tirana 4–0 [35] 1–1 [36] 5–1
Third qualifying round Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Luzern 1–0 [37] 3–1 [38] 4–1
Play-off round Flag of Scotland.svg Celtic 4–0 [39] 0–2 [40] 4–2
Group stage Flag of Italy.svg Napoli 3–3 [41] 0–0 [42] 4th
Flag of England.svg Liverpool 0–0 [43] 0–0 [44]
Flag of Romania.svg Steaua București 1–1 [45] 1–3 [46]
2013–14 Europa League Second qualifying round Flag of Luxembourg.svg Differdange 03 3–3 [47] 1–2 [48] 4–5
2017–18 Europa League Second qualifying round Flag of Malta.svg Valletta 3–1 [49] 0–0 [50] 3–1
Third qualifying round Flag of Poland.svg Lech Poznań 0–0 [51] 2–2 [52] 2–2 (a)
Play-off round Flag of Russia.svg Zenit Saint Petersburg 1–0 [53] 0–2 ( a.e.t. ) [54] 1–2
2019–20 Europa League Second qualifying round Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Zrinjski Mostar 1–1 [55] 1–2 ( a.e.t. ) [56] 2–3
2025–26 Europa League Second qualifying round Flag of Moldova.svg Sheriff Tiraspol 4–1 [57] 3–1 [58] 7–2
Third qualifying round Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Servette 2–1 [59] 3–1 [60] 5–2
Play-off round Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Zrinjski Mostar 0–0 [61] 2–0 [62] 2–0
League phase Flag of France.svg Lyon 0–1 [63] —
Flag of Norway.svg Brann —
Flag of Germany.svg SC Freiburg —
Flag of Portugal (official).svg Porto —
Flag of Spain.svg Real Betis —
Flag of England.svg Nottingham Forest —
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Genk —
Flag of Scotland.svg Celtic —
UEFA club coefficient: 1,500 (126th) (as per 2022–23 season) [64]

Record by club

As of 25 September 2025
ClubCountryMatchesSeason(s)WDL
Albania
Tirana Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 22010–1111
Austria
LASK Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 21987–8811
Sturm Graz Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 21991–922
Grazer AK Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 22001–0211
Austria Wien Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 12004–051
Belgium
Club Brugge Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 12004–051
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Zrinjski Mostar Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 42019–20, 2025–26121
England
Liverpool Flag of England.svg  England 22010–112
France
Auxerre Flag of France.svg  France 22003–04011
Olympique Lyonnais Flag of France.svg  France 12025–26001
Germany
Eintracht Frankfurt Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 21980–8111
Hamburger SV Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 21981–8211
Italy
Hellas Verona Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 21987–8811
Parma Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 22001–0211
Napoli Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 22010–112
Luxembourg
Differdange 03 Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 22013–1411
Malta
Valletta Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 22017–1811
Moldova
Sheriff Tiraspol Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 22025–262
Poland
Legia Warsaw Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 22002–032
Lech Poznań Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 22017–182
Portugal
Porto Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal 21982–832
Romania
Argeș Pitești Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 21980–8111
Steaua București Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 22010–1111
Russia
Zenit Saint Petersburg Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 22017–1811
Scotland
Celtic Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 22010–1111
Slovakia
Žilina Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 22003–04200
Spain
Real Madrid Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 21991–92002
Zaragoza Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 12004–05001
Sweden
Djurgården IF Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 22004–05101
Hammarby IF Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 22007–08020
Switzerland
Luzern Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 22010–11200
Servette Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 22025–26200
Ukraine
Dynamo Kyiv [note 2] Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 21985–86101
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 12004–05001

Notes

  1. ↑ Former team of Soviet Union.
  2. ↑ Former team of Soviet Union

References

  1. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Argeș Pitești". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Argeș Pitești vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Eintracht Frankfurt". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Hamburg". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  6. ↑ "Hamburg vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  7. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Porto". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  8. ↑ "Porto vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  9. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Dynamo Kyiv". UEFA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2004. Retrieved 9 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ↑ "Dynamo Kyiv vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2004. Retrieved 9 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. ↑ "Utrecht vs. LASK". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  12. ↑ "LASK vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Hellas Verona". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  14. ↑ "Hellas Verona vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Sturm Graz". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "Sturm Graz vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  17. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Real Madrid". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  18. ↑ "Real Madrid vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  19. ↑ "Utrecht vs. GAK". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "GAK vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  21. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Parma". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  22. ↑ "Parma vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Legia Warsaw". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  24. ↑ "Legia Warsaw vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  25. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Žilina". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  26. ↑ "Žilina vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  27. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Auxerre". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "Auxerre vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  29. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Djurgårdens". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  30. ↑ "Djurgårdens vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  31. ↑ "Real Zaragoza vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  32. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Dnipro". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  33. ↑ "Club Brugge vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  34. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Austria Wien". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  35. ↑ "Utrecht vs. KF Tirana". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  36. ↑ "KF Tirana vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  37. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Luzern". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  38. ↑ "Luzern vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  39. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Celtic". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  40. ↑ "Celtic vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  41. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Napoli". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  42. ↑ "Napoli vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  43. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Liverpool". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  44. ↑ "Liverpool vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  45. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Steaua București". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  46. ↑ "Steaua București vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  47. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Differdange 03". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  48. ↑ "Differdange 03 vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  49. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Valletta". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  50. ↑ "Valletta vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  51. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Lech Poznań". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  52. ↑ "Lech Poznań vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  53. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Zenit Saint Petersburg". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  54. ↑ "Zenit Saint Petersburg vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  55. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Zrinjski Mostar". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  56. ↑ "Zrinjski Mostar vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  57. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Sheriff Tiraspol". UEFA. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  58. ↑ "Sheriff Tiraspol vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  59. ↑ "Utrecht vs. Servette". UEFA. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  60. ↑ "Servette vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  61. ↑ "FC Utrecht vs. Zrinjski Mostar". UEFA. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  62. ↑ "Zrinjski Mostar vs. Utrecht". UEFA. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  63. ↑ "FC Utrecht vs. Olympique Lyonnais". UEFA. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  64. ↑ "UEFA club coefficients". UEFA. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
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