Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup

Last updated

Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup
Founded2011
Region Europe
Number of teams3
Current champions Flag of England.svg Arsenal (1st title)
Most successful club(s) Flag of Spain.svg Athletic Bilbao
Flag of England.svg Arsenal (1 title each)

The Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup was an invitational football friendly tournament held at St Mary's, Southampton. The competition was named after former Southampton Chairman Markus Liebherr. Described as a "unique triangular cup competition", each club played one another and points determined the winners of the tournament, which was held in 2011 and 2012, and won by Athletic Bilbao and Arsenal. [1]

Contents

2011

Source: [2] [1] [3] [4] [5]

The inaugural edition of the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup was held on 23 July 2011 as a triangular round-robin system. Various European teams were invited to compete in a tournament, with the other participants besides the hosts Southampton being the Spanish club Athletic Bilbao and German club Werder Bremen. The hosts won the first match of the tournament, beating Bremen 3–0 with goals from David Connolly, Guly do Prado and Adam Lallana. [6] Bilbao also beat Bremen, with a 2–1 scoreline, thanks to goals from Igor Gabilondo and Gaizka Toquero. In the decisive match between Southampton and Bilbao, it was the Spanish side who won 2–0, with Igor Martínez and Markel Susaeta sealing the title to Bilbao. [1] [6]

Southampton 3–0
(45-minute match)
Werder Bremen
Connolly Soccerball shade.svg10'
do Prado Soccerball shade.svg30'
Lallana Soccerball shade.svg40'
Report
St Mary's Stadium , Southampton
Attendance: 7,000
Werder Bremen 1–2
(45-minute match)
Athletic Bilbao
Bargfrede Soccerball shade.svg35' Report Gabilondo Soccerball shade.svg22'
Toquero Soccerball shade.svg37'
St Mary's Stadium , Southampton
Attendance: 7,000
Southampton 0–2
(45-minute match)
Athletic Bilbao
Report Martínez Soccerball shade.svg36'
Susaeta Soccerball shade.svg45'
St Mary's Stadium , Southampton
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Ron Groves

Final Standings

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Spain.svg Athletic Bilbao 220041+34
Flag of England.svg Southampton 21013212
Flag of Germany.svg Werder Bremen 200205−50

2012

Source: [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Scottish club Rangers were initially scheduled to take part, but were later replaced by Anderlecht due to the financial troubles that Rangers were facing. [14] The tournament was held on 14 July as a triangular round-robin system in 45-minute matches, and in the first match of the tournament, Southampton lost to Anderlecht 1–0, with the only goal coming early in the first half from Tom De Sutter. [15] Arsenal then won their first game against Anderlecht by the same scoreline, with a goal from young midfielder Henri Lansbury deciding the match. [15] In the decisive match between Southampton and Arsenal, the Saints new signing Jay Rodriguez netted on his debut for the club in the 31st minute, although the lead proved short-lived when Gervinho equalized a few minutes later, causing the game to end in a tie, and despite Arsenal losing 5–4 on penalties, it was them who won the second Memorial Cup and joined Athletic Bilbao on the honours list. [9] [15]

Southampton 0–1
(45-minute match)
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Anderlecht
Report De Sutter Soccerball shade.svg15'
St Mary's Stadium , Southampton
Attendance: 13,056
Referee: Phil Crossley
Arsenal Flag of England.svg 1 – 0
(45-minute match)
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Anderlecht
Lansbury Soccerball shade.svg34' Report
Southampton 1–1
(45-minute match)
Arsenal
Rodriguez Soccerball shade.svg31' Report Gervinho Soccerball shade.svg35'
Penalties
Fox Soccerball shad check.svg
Rodriguez Soccerball shad check.svg
Seaborne Soccerball shad check.svg
Chaplow Soccerball shad check.svg
Hammond Soccerball shad check.svg
5–4Soccerball shad check.svg Santos
Soccerball shad check.svg Coquelin
Soccerball shad check.svg Olsson
Soccerball shad check.svg Eastmond
Soccerball shade cross.svg Ebecilio
St Mary's Stadium , Southampton
Attendance: 13,056

Final Standings

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of England.svg Arsenal 211021+14
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Anderlecht 21011102
Flag of England.svg Southampton 201112−11

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Athletico Bilbao win the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup". Southern Daily Echo. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  2. "Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup 2012 Preview". Southampton FC. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  3. "Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup - 2011". Goalzz. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  4. "Athletic Bilbao Take First Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup..." George Weah's Cousin. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  5. "Athletic Bilbao win Memorial Cup". Saints Natter. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Memorial Cup Report". Southampton FC. 23 July 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  7. "Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup 2012 (Southampton)". RSSSF . 29 November 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  8. "Memorial Cup 2012: Report". Southampton FC. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  9. 1 2 "£7m Jay scores on Saints debut but Arsenal win the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup". Southern Daily Echo. 4 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  10. "Arsenal win Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup despite penalty loss to Southampton". Goal.com. 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  11. "Arsenal win Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup in Southampton". The Short Fuse. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  12. "Arsenal win the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup". Paint The Arsenal. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  13. "Highlights: The Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup". Southampton FC. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  14. "Rangers to take on Arsenal and Southampton in Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup this summer". 1 June 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  15. 1 2 3 "Memorial Cup 2012 – Report". Southampton F.C. 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.