The 1973 European Cup final was a football match held at the Red Star Stadium in Belgrade, Yugoslavia on 30 May 1973. Two-time defending champions Ajax of the Netherlands faced Juventus of Italy.
Johnny Rep scored the only goal of the game after four minutes as Ajax won 1âÂÂ0 to claim their third consecutive European Cup and earned the Dutch side the privilege of keeping the trophy permanently.
Ajax had reached the European Cup final on three previous occasions. They were two-time defending champions coming into the 1972âÂÂ73 season after defeating Panathinaikos 2âÂÂ0 in 1971 and Inter Milan by the same scoreline in 1972.
Juventus had never previously reached a European Cup final.
As defending champions, Ajax qualified automatically for the 1972âÂÂ73 European Cup. They received a bye in the first round. In the second round, they defeated CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria 3âÂÂ1 away and 3âÂÂ0 at home to advance 6âÂÂ1 on aggregate. They then defeated Bayern Munich of West Germany 4âÂÂ0 in the first leg of their quarter-final in Amsterdam. Despite a 2âÂÂ1 defeat in the second leg, Ajax advanced 5âÂÂ2 on aggregate. In the semi-finals, they faced Real Madrid of Spain. A 2âÂÂ1 first leg win was followed up with a 1âÂÂ0 win in Madrid as they reached the final 3âÂÂ1 on aggregate.
Juventus qualified for the 1972âÂÂ73 European Cup as champions of the 1971âÂÂ72 Serie A. In the first round, they faced Olympique de Marseille of France. The first leg, which was played in Lyon, ended in a 1âÂÂ0 win for Olympique de Marseille. However, Juventus won the second leg 3âÂÂ0 to advance 3âÂÂ1 on aggregate. In the second round, they defeated Magdeburg of East Germany 1âÂÂ0 in both legs to advance 2âÂÂ0 on aggregate. After a goalless draw in the first leg of their quarter-final against ÃÂjpesti Dózsa of Hungary in Turin, the second leg ended 2âÂÂ2 in Budapest (2âÂÂ2 on aggregate) and Juventus advanced on away goals. In the semi-finals, they defeated Derby County of England 3âÂÂ1 in the first leg before a goalless second leg which meant Juventus progressed 3âÂÂ1 on aggregate.
Juventus would gain revenge for the defeat 23 years later when the two sides contested the final of the same competition (rebranded as the UEFA Champions League). After a 1âÂÂ1 draw after extra time, Juventus won 4âÂÂ2 on penalties.