New Delhi: The 2024/25 season has turned out to be the campaign of the underdogs. Across Europe, several clubs have broken the trophy drought and made the current season a memorable one. There could be more on the horizon, too, as Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United for the Europa League final on Thursday, hoping to end their 17-year wait for a major trophy. Spurs also won in 2008 when they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the League Cup final at Wembley. Not just that, VfB Stuttgart will look to end an 18-year wait as they face Arminia Bielefeld in the German Cup, who have never won a major trophy.
In a season of surprise packages, let’s take a look at who have already broken the curse and brought the trophy home.
Newcastle United- Carabao Cup (70 years)
70 years of hurt. OVER.
Your 2024/25 @Carabao_Cup winners:
NEWCASTLE UNITED @nufc 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ErVMQft8jh
— Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) March 16, 2025
Newcastle United managed to secure the first domestic trophy after 70 years as they defeated Premier League champions Liverpool in the final. The Wembley Stadium emerged as a sea of black and whites as the Toon Army came out in numbers to support their club as they sealed the victory by a scoreline of 2-1.
The Magpies have had their fair share of near misses in the modern era with agonising runners-up finishes in the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup across the last three decades.
Eddie Howe finally etched his name in history as his side were superior to the Reds in all areas. Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed the deal for the Magpies before the drama heated up in the final moments as they were leading by 2-1, and the clouds of doubt erupted when Chiesa scored a goal but was given offside by VAR after lengthy deliberation. The club secured the second Champions League qualification in three back-to-back seasons. It seems it’s the perfect time to shed the sleeping giant tag.
Bologna FC- Coppa Italia ( 51 years)
Bologna FC shocked everyone last season when they secured the Champions League spot. They also sacked their head coach, Thomas Motta and key players and now came even stronger this season. In addition to establishing another Champions League bid, Bologna overcame a 51-year trophy drought with Coppa Italia victory. Dan Ndoye’s 53rd-minute goal sealed Bologna’s victory over AC Milan in Rome.
A night we will NEVER forget 🥹❤️🔥#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/gFkuJLdxuZ
— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) May 15, 2025
It was a fine moment for the manager Vincenzo Italiano after losing Coppa Italia (2023) and Europa Conference League (2022 and 2023) with his previous club Fiorentina. Dan Ndoye sealed the victory as he scored within the first 10 minutes as the match entered the second half. After Orsolini was tackled inside the box as he hit into the right corner.
Go Ahead Eagles- KNVB Cup (92 years)
Go Ahead Eagles ended a near 100-year wait for silverware by pulling off a stunning KNVB Cup victory this season. The Dutch club shocked many by knocking out PSV Eindhoven in the semi-finals and then held their nerve in a tense final against AZ Alkmaar, winning on penalties to lift their first-ever KNVB Cup.
The final in Rotterdam was full of drama as AZ took the lead with a penalty from Troy Parrott, but deep into added time, Mats Deijl responded with a penalty of his own to level the score for Go Ahead Eagles in the 99th minute.
Wat een afgelopen jaren niet normaal. In 2021 uit een onmogelijke situatie gepromoveerd, vorig jaar de play offs voor Europees voetbal gewonnen en nu dus de #knvbbeker. Dit is gewoon niet te beseffen maar het is echt zo. Wat ben ik trots op de club @gaeagles #goaheadeagles pic.twitter.com/wsksdbT9xB
— GA Eagles Till I Die (@GAE_TillIDie) April 22, 2025
After extra time couldn’t produce a winner, the match went to penalties. The deciding moment came when AZ’s Mayckel Lahdo missed his spot-kick, sealing a famous victory for Go Ahead Eagles. This triumph marked their first major trophy since winning the Dutch league title back in 1933.
Crystal Palace- FA Cup (119 years)
Crystal Palace fans could hardly believe it that they could defeat Manchester City to end their 119-year major trophy drought and finally lift the one. The Eagles had twice come close before in FA Cup finals but lost both times to Manchester teams, but this time they didn’t let the trophy slip from their hands.
Oliver Glasner’s men were considered underdogs, but they stayed organised, defended well, and made the most of their moment. Despite Man City controlling much of the game at Wembley, Palace struck on the counter. Daniel Munoz broke free and squared the ball to Eberechi Eze, who calmly scored the winning goal.
The match wasn’t short on drama as in the first half, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson handled the ball outside the box. However, VAR ruled it wasn’t a clear goal-scoring chance since the ball was moving away from the goal. Shortly after, Henderson saved a penalty from Omar Marmoush to keep Palace alive.
Good morning to our champions, @CPFC 🏆#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/4qdB7OKvRX
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 18, 2025
Putting the controversy aside, Palace’s win was widely celebrated, especially by neutrals. The FA Cup has been dominated by a handful of clubs in the 21st century, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and the two Manchester teams regularly taking home the prize, but now Palace has emerged on the stage as they become the fourth different winner to lift the trophy since 2000. The triumph even earned the Eagles a first-ever spot in European competition.
2025 has become the year of football’s surprise winners, as underdog clubs across Europe have finally ended long waits for silverware. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
