Chelsea, commonly known as ‘the Blues’ made history on Wednesday, 15th of May by winning the UEFA Europa league 2013 competition
and so becoming the only club who has held both the UEFA trophies at the same time,after they have won the Champions league 2012 on 24th April 2012 and the Europa league this year on 15th May 2013.
This amazing journey started when Chelsea became the first defending club to go out in the group stages of Champions league in December 2012. But was suppose to be another great season for them,was a big disappointment for Blue fans as Chelsea ended 3 in their group ahead of Fc Nordsjælland and below the Ukrainian Shakthar Donetsk and Italian Juventus. Still,it seems that this was Chelsea´s destiny as by knocking from the Champions league and finishing on the 3rd place,Blues secured automatic qualification to Europa league last 16,where they journey to the Europa league trophy has begun.
In the Round for the last 16 Chelsea played with Sparta Prague.
Chelsea won the away leg 1-0. But at home it became little tricky with the away side scoring in the first half.
It was Eden hazard’s deadly and lethal strike which took Chelsea to the last 16.
Chelsea met Steaua Bucharest in fight for the last 8.
First leg was away and Chelsea lost it with 1-0. All hopes were up coz history knows how amazing and unbeatable Chelsea were at home in European competitions. Chelsea won 3-1 at home with Fernando Torres scoring the crucial goal .
Quarter finals had Rubin Kazan waiting for Chelsea. Rubin came into the limelight when they beat last year’s Europa league holders, Atletico Madrid. Chelsea won at home 3-1 with Torres scoring 2 , but the away goal was all but what Rubin wanted to take home. Again it was Torres who scored in the away leg and Chelsea won 3-2. Torres proves to be once again the key man on Chelsea´s road to trophy.
It were the semi-finals when Chelsea met Basel who previously had beaten and knocked their north London rival Tottenham on penalties to progress.
It was 1-1 until the 92nd minute when David Luiz scored from a free kick and Chelsea won the away leg with 2-1.
That was Basel’s first home defeat since March 2012. The second leg match at the Stamford Bridge, Chelsea won 3-1 and Torres scored once again.
Final was all but set for Chelsea who met Benfica at the Amsterdam arena on 15th May 2013.
Benfica had met Chelsea last year in the quarter finals of champions league when Raul Meireles scored in the 90th minute and secured the semi spot against Barca.
Oscar Cardozo , the no. 7 of Benfica was the man to watch out. He had been in stunning form and was the sole reason why Benfica had been able to make it to the finals.
Yet again it was Torres who opened the scoring at 60th minute with his deadly striking nature. He rounded the keeper and scored the goal. Just like Drogba a year ago, it was Torres who was going to win it for Chelsea.
Benfica equalised from Cardozo´s penalty kick when Azpilicueta handled the ball in the box. When it seemed that fans will see extra time, the Serbian defender , Branislav Ivanovic , hit a stunning header in 92nd mint to win Chelsea it’s first Europa league.
With this Rafa Benitez became the first manager ever to win the Champions league , Europa league and the Super cup in the coaching history.