1982/83: Aberdeen sing in the rain

Aberdeen FC 2-1 Real Madrid CF (aet)
Nya Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg

Alex Ferguson may have won stacks of silverware with Manchester United FC, but one of his fondest memories is of leading Aberdeen FC to victory over Real Madrid CF on a rainy night in Gothenburg.

Acid test passed
Having beaten FC Sion 11-1 in the preliminary round, the Scots cruised past KS Dinamo Tirana and KKS Lech Poznán without conceding a goal before an acid test against FC Bayern München in the quarter-finals. After drawing 0-0 in Munich, they outdid the Germans for resilience, winning 3-2 after being 1-2 down with 13 minutes to go. In the semi-finals, they trounced KSV Waterschei THOR, surprising victors against Paris Saint-Germain FC.
Real Madrid’s main obsession was avoiding a ‘fraternal’ clash with FC Barcelona. So they were grateful when FK Austria Wien defeated the defending champions on away goals on a night when Real Madrid were recording an epic victory over Internazionale FC in the quarter-finals. Gratitude was short-lived. Madrid beat FK Austria 5-3 in the semi-final to earn a second chance to win the title.

Supersub Hewitt
They were rattled when Eric Black gave Aberdeen an early lead in the final. But with wingers Juan Gómez ‘Juanito’ and Isidro Díaz supplying centre-forward Carlos Santillana, the Spaniards were dangerous in attack. Juanito equalised after 15 minutes and the fans were then treated to 75 minutes of end-to-end football and, despite the rain, nobody complained about extra-time. Substitute John Hewitt became the hero by bravely diving in front of the Spanish keeper to head the winner.