25 Years On: The Road to Glory

Last updated : 27 May 2005 By Forest
Forest, who had won the competition in 1979 by beating Malmo in the final, started their defence against another Swedish side Osters in the 1st Round.

A 2-0 home win was followed two weeks later by a 1-1 draw in Sweden.

The Reds participation in the competition was due to their success the previous year. League champions Liverpool were also taking part but crashed out in the opening round to Dynamo Tbilisi.

These were the days of 'crack' Eastern European teams and games behind the Iron Curtain.

Forest had two such trips on their way to winning the trophy. Arges Pitesti of Romania were beaten 4-1 on aggregate before Dynamo Berlin gave Forest a scare, winning 1-0 at the City Ground in the Quarter-Final first leg.

Clough's side though produced one of their best European performances to win 3-1 in East Germany and set up a last four meeting with Ajax.

The Dutch giants were overcome 2-1 over two legs and on the 28th May 1980, German champions Hamburg were beaten 1-0 in the Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid to seal one of the greatest achievements in football history.