ITV4 to revisit classic European Cup finals

ITV viewers will be able to relive its coverage of iconic moments from the European Cup and Champions League with replays of classic finals on ITV4 and ITV Hub.

Liverpool’s iconic fightback in Istanbul in 2005 and Manchester United’s sensational late turnaround against Bayern Munich in 1999 will feature across the five nights of classic European Cup football, running from Monday, 27 July to Friday, 31 July.

The series, which will feature all of ITV’s original studio presentation as well as a replay of the entire match, starts with Manchester United against Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final in front of over 90,000 fans at Wembley, illuminated by a memorable solo goal from Red Devils legend George Best, the five classic matches will run over five nights.

The legendary Barry Davies presented ITV’s coverage of the match, in which United were aiming to become the first English team to win the trophy just 10 years, after the Munich air disaster killed eight of their players and ended the careers of two more. Match commentary came from Hugh Johns and Ron Greenwood.

On Tuesday, viewers can relive ITV’s coverage of an extraordinary night at Barcelona’s Nou Camp when Manchester United played Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final, which had a memorable finale.

Alex Ferguson’s side were missing key midfielders Paul Scholes and Roy Keane due to suspension, but could still call upon the talents of the likes of David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, while Teddy Sheringham and current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were to make key contributions off the bench.

ITV’s exclusive coverage on the night was presented by Bob Wilson, with studio analysis from Terry Venables and Ruud Gullit, match commentary by Clive Tyldesley and Ron Atkinson, while pitchside reports and interviews were provided by Gary Newbon.

Then on Wednesday, it is the ‘incredibles of Istanbul’ as ITV4 replays the remarkable 2005 final between AC Milan and Liverpool, where a talented Milan side raced into a 3-0 half-time lead, but the likes of Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Jerzy Dudek did everything they could to ensure Liverpool would no go down without a fight.

Gabby Logan presented ITV’s coverage alongside studio guests Terry Venables and Steve McManaman, with match commentary by Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend.

Three years later, it was all-English affair for the first time in the final of European club football’s biggest match as Manchester United took on Chelsea in the 2008 final, which will be replayed in full on Thursday, 30 July.

Alex Ferguson’s United featured the electric talents of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, whie Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba were the spine of an impressive Chelsea side.

Steve Rider hosted ITV’s coverage on the night alongside studio guests Andy Townsend and Mark Hughes, while commentary came from Clive Tyldesley and David Pleat.

The fifth and final classic European showpiece clash of the week is the 2012 final between Bayern Munich and Chelsea at Bayern’s Allianz Arena.

Having lost on penalties to Manchester United in the 2008 final, Chelsea were looking to go one better this time around, but to do so they had to overcome the German giants in their own stadium.

Adrian Chiles was ITV’s presenter alongside Gareth Southgate, Roy Keane and Gianfranco Zola in the studio, and commentary came from Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend.

In addition to the finals replayed on ITV4, four more classic European Cup finals from before the Champions League era are also being added to the ITV Hub from Thursday, 30 July, including Liverpool v Bruges in the 1978 final, Nottingham Forest v Hamburg in 1980, Aston Villa v Bayern Munich in 1982 and Liverpool v Roma in 1984.

Between Monday night and Wednesday night, ITV4 will also be repeating the recent three-part series made by ITV Sport called European Cup Winners, which looks at the European success of British teams in the late 1970s and early ’80s.

Details of all the classic European Cup and Champions League finals to be broadcast on ITV4 can be found below.

https://twitter.com/itvfootball/status/1287786584494964737

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MONDAY 27th JULY

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TUESDAY 28th JULY

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WEDNESDAY 29th JULY

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THURSDAY 30th JULY

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FRIDAY 31st JULY

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