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Newcastle United: Top five European matches in club history

By Roy Emanuel

17 Sep 1997: Michael Reiziger (left) of Barcelona takes on Faustino Asprilla (right) of Newcastle United during the Champions League match at St James'' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. Newcastle United won the match 3-2. \ Mandatory Credit: CliveBrunskill/Allsport
17 Sep 1997: Michael Reiziger (left) of Barcelona takes on Faustino Asprilla (right) of Newcastle United during the Champions League match at St James'' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. Newcastle United won the match 3-2. \ Mandatory Credit: CliveBrunskill/Allsport /
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ATHENS, GREECE – MARCH 10: Newcastle strikers Patrick Kluivert, James Milner and Alan Shearer celebrate after Kluivert scored the third goal during the UEFA Cup, round of 16, First leg match between Olympiakos and Newcastle United at The Karaiskaki Stadium on March 10, 2005 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GREECE – MARCH 10: Newcastle strikers Patrick Kluivert, James Milner and Alan Shearer celebrate after Kluivert scored the third goal during the UEFA Cup, round of 16, First leg match between Olympiakos and Newcastle United at The Karaiskaki Stadium on March 10, 2005 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

A look back at Newcastle United’s finest performances on the European stage.

The Premier League is considered by many to be the greatest football league in the world, providing captivating action and drama each and every season. But there is nothing quite like European competitions, and Newcastle United have certainly enjoyed memorable moments in these tournaments.

It has been four years since the Toon Army last saw their squad in these settings, with a wonderful run to the quarter-final stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2013. Manager Alan Pardew and his team fought right down to the bitter end, eventually defeated by Portuguese powerhouse Benfica.

Friendlies between clubs throughout the continent took place decades before, but the European Cup in 1955 truly pushed newly-formed UEFA into the forefront in terms of prestige. The Magpies made their European debut in 1968, competing in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (a predecessor to the UEFA Cup).

Newcastle would make that debut a special one, lifting the title after victory in the final over Hungarian side Ujpest Dozsa. Two consecutive appearances in that competition would follow, as would lean years on the European stage unfortunately as well.

However, that would all change in the 1990s. Kevin Keegan led “The Entertainers” into the UEFA Champions League that decade.

The teams of Sir Bobby Robson would make their mark on the UEFA Cup tournament soon after, while Glenn Roeder’s short stint at the helm earned a UEFA Intertoto Cup trophy.

Every club’s history is unique, and supporters will each remember events somewhat differently in regards to their importance and significance. But competing against the best is always a treat, as it represents success and hard work to achieve that place.

We highlight the top five all-time European matches for Newcastle United, with an optimistic eye towards current manager Rafa Benitez creating more in the near future.

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