Finals in Austria: Stars, Sensation and "Ghost Game"

Even before the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, Austria had hosted several European finals. A look back.

Iker Casillas lifted the European Championship trophy into the Viennese night sky for Spain in 2008. IMAGO/ABACAPRESS

The UEFA Super Cup on August 12, 2026, at the Red Bull Arena will mark the first time a European club football title has been awarded in Salzburg. Before that, Austria had hosted six international club finals – each time in Vienna's Prater. These featured world-class players, a huge sensation, and even a final that was virtually behind closed doors.

On April 29, 1970, a mere 7,968 spectators turned out in pouring rain for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, which Manchester City defeated Gornik Zabrze 2-1. According to various sources, apart from the coronavirus pandemic, only one European Cup final had a smaller attendance: 4,750 for Dinamo Tbilisi against Carl Zeiss Jena in the 1981 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in Düsseldorf. Man City's victory wasn't even broadcast live in England because it clashed with the replay of the FA Cup final.

Madjer helped Porto to a sensation against Bayern

Over 70,000 fans gathered at the Prater Stadium on May 27, 1964, when Inter Milan, coached by Catenaccio-league figure Helenio Herrera, beat Real Madrid 3-1 in the European Cup final. The White Ballet's heyday was already over, but the Spanish team still boasted such illustrious names as Alfredo di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskas, Paco Gento, and José Santamaría.

FC Porto achieved a sensation on May 27, 1987. The Portuguese team triumphed 2-1 in the Champions Cup final against FC Bayern Munich, with Lothar Matthäus and Andreas Brehme on the pitch. Rabah Madjer's goal to make it 1-1 was particularly memorable.

On May 23, 1990, Arrigo Sacchi's AC Milan was on display at the Prater in their prime. The then defending champions defeated Benfica Lisbon 1-0 in the European Cup final thanks to a goal from Franck Rijkaard. The Rossoneri team at the time also included Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Carlo Ancelotti, Franco Baresi, and Paolo Maldini.

Spain's Golden Era founded in Vienna

Five years later, Milan lost in the Champions League final to an Ajax Amsterdam team packed with exceptional talent. Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Marc Overmars, and the De Boer brothers played under the guidance of Louis van Gaal, with substitute Patrick Kluivert scoring the final goal to make it 1-0. Both finalists had considerable trouble with SV Salzburg in the group stage.

Red Bull Salzburg's predecessor club lost the first leg of the UEFA Cup final against Inter Milan 1-0 on April 26, 1994, at the arena, now renamed the Ernst Happel Stadium. The Mozart City club also lost the return leg in Italy 1-0.

A memorable final was also witnessed at the Happel Stadium on June 29, 2008. Fernando Torres shot Spain to the European Championship title with a 1-0 win against Germany. This marked the beginning of La Roja's golden era – Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, and co. followed with triumphs at the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.