FC Groningen in European football includes the games which have been played by FC Groningen in European competitions organised by UEFA.
Groningen has played Atlético Madrid and Partizan most in European competition, meeting each team on four occasions. Against both opponents, Groningen recorded two victories and two defeats.
Groningen made their European debut in the 1983âÂÂ84 UEFA Cup. In the first round, they won 4âÂÂ2 on aggregate against Atlético Madrid, highlighted by a 3âÂÂ0 home win. However, their campaign ended in the second round against Inter Milan, where despite a 2âÂÂ0 home win, they were eliminated after a 5âÂÂ1 away loss, resulting in a 5âÂÂ3 defeat on aggregate.
The club returned to the UEFA Cup in the 1986âÂÂ87 season. They secured victories over Galway United (8âÂÂ2 on aggregate) and Neuchâtel Xamax (1âÂÂ1 on aggregate, advancing on away goals) before being eliminated by Vitória S.C. in the third round.
In the 1988âÂÂ89 UEFA Cup, Groningen again reached the third round. They faced Atlético Madrid in the first round, progressing on away goals. Subsequent victories over Servette (3âÂÂ1 on aggregate) saw them advance to the third round, where they were defeated by VfB Stuttgart.
The early 1990s saw Groningen make brief appearances in European competitions. In the 1991âÂÂ92 UEFA Cup, they were eliminated in the first round by Rot-WeiàErfurt, losing both home and away matches 1âÂÂ0. The following season, 1992âÂÂ93, Groningen were again eliminated in the first round, following a 2âÂÂ1 defeat on aggregate against Vác FC-Samsung.
After a 13-year absence, Groningen returned to European football in the mid-2000s. In the 2006âÂÂ07 UEFA Cup, they faced Partizan in the first round. Despite a 1âÂÂ0 home victory, a 4âÂÂ2 away loss led to a 4âÂÂ3 loss on aggregate. The following season, 2007âÂÂ08, saw them paired with Fiorentina in the first round. After both legs ended in 1âÂÂ1 draws, Groningen were eliminated after a penalty shoot-out.
By winning the 2014âÂÂ15 KNVB Cup, their first major honour, Groningen were granted direct entry into the group stages of the 2015âÂÂ16 UEFA Europa League. Groningen faced Olympique de Marseille, Braga, and Slovan Liberec. They finished last in the group, drawing twice and losing four times.