European Cup Winners' Cup (1972)
Barcelona, 24 May 1972: the Barcelona Bears win Rangers' European trophy.
Rangers won the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup, beating Dynamo Moscow 3–2 in the final at the Camp Nou in Barcelona on 24 May 1972, in front of 35,000. It was the club's third European final after defeats in 1961 and 1967, and the first time a Soviet team had reached a European final.
Quick Facts
- Date
- 24 May 1972
- Venue
- Camp Nou, Barcelona
- Opponent
- Dynamo Moscow
- Result
- Won 3–2
- Manager
- Willie Waddell
- Captain
- John Greig
- Attendance
- 35,000
Reader's Guide
Rangers scored twice before half-time and Willie Johnston added a third early in the second half; Dynamo pulled two goals back. A pitch invasion just before full time meant captain John Greig was handed the trophy inside the stadium. The victory is considered the greatest in the club's history, and the team became known as the Barcelona Bears.
On the way, Rangers beat Stade Rennes, Sporting CP, Torino and Bayern Munich. Against Sporting the referee wrongly ordered a penalty shootout, which Rangers lost, until manager Willie Waddell pointed out the away goals rule and UEFA overturned the result.
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