In European football, at continental level, FC Shakhtar Donetsk has participated since 1976, and until 1992 it represented the Soviet Union. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991, Shakhtar represents its native Ukraine. Originally based in Donetsk, since 2014 it has been forced to play its games in other Ukrainian cities (Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv) due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Shakhtar Donetsk played its maiden game at continental competitions against Berliner FC Dynamo in the 1976âÂÂ77 UEFA Cup. Since 1976, Shakhtar represented the Soviet football for only 5 seasons between 1976 and 1983. It returned to European competitions in 1994, representing Ukraine. Since 1997, however, the club has consistently participated on an annual basis, with variable successes, while also taking part in the UEFA Champions League competition since 2000. Shakhtar's first qualification to a group stage in a European competition took place in the 2000âÂÂ01 UEFA Champions League, when Shakhtar Donetsk played against Arsenal, Lazio and Sparta Prague in Group B. While being a constant presence in Champions League group stages, Shakhtar have only reached UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League group stages twice (2005âÂÂ06 and 2009âÂÂ10).
Until 2004, Shakhtar played its games at Shakhtar Stadium located near the Donetsk city center. Until Donbas Arena was built in 2009, Shakhtar played a few seasons at Olimpiyskyi Regional Sports Complex (former Lokomotyv), both located in the city's center.
In 2009, Shakhtar Donetsk won the UEFA Cup over Werder Bremen in the final held in Istanbul, becoming the first team in independent Ukraine to win a European trophy. In 2010âÂÂ11, Shakhtar reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, being eliminated by Barcelona; this was the first time the team qualified for the knockout phase in the Champions League. In 2015âÂÂ16, despite a poor display in the Champions League group stages, Shakhtar was able to qualify to the Europa League knock-out phases by finishing third place in the group; Shakhtar reached the semi-finals after knocking out Schalke 04, Anderlecht and Braga, but were eventually knocked out by title defenders Sevilla.
The first goal for Shakhtar at European competitions was scored by a native of Kherson Volodymyr Rohovsky when Shakhtar defeated Berliner Dynamo 3:0 at Central Stadium "Shakhtar" in 1976.