The Most Successful Teams in the History of the European Women’s Champions League

The popularity of women’s football has skyrocketed in recent years. Barely a decade ago it was somewhat of an afterthought. Thoughts about the female side of the beautiful game solely related to either the hit film Bend It Like Beckham or performances at the Olympic Games. Nowadays, the women’s game rightfully is getting its flowers.

In the summer of 2022, England’s Lionesses roared to glory on home turf at the most-watched European Championships of all time. Their stunning victory against Germany in the final at Wembley ensured that the country’s women did something that their male counterparts could not. The men have not lifted a major piece of silverware in the last 50 years.

The Lionesses attempted to become double champions at last year’s World Cup, making it all the way to the final. There they met an Aitana Bonmatí-inspired Spain, who gained revenge for their Euro 2022 quarterfinal defeat by running out 1-0 victors and becoming world champions for the first time in history.

The Spanish have also reigned supreme in the club game. Barcelona are the reigning European champions, a tournament they claimed with a stunning come-from-behind 3-2 victory against Wolfsburg in the Women’s Champions League final in Eindhoven last June. They are through to the semifinals of this year’s tournament, as well. Following the first leg of their clash against Chelsea (ending in a 1-0 victory for Chelsea), the popular comparison site oddschecker.com, which is currently offering up to $200 in bonus money on DraftKings, has Barcelona down as a 4/6 favorite to retain the crown.

But which teams have been the most successful in the history of the illustrious tournament? Let’s find out.

Olympique Lyonnais

With an awe-inspiring collection of eight titles, Lyon stands at the pinnacle of European women’s club football. The French side’s dominance in the tournament is unmatched. They have carved a legacy only rivaled by Real Madrid in the men’s side of the game. In the women’s, they have been the dominant force.

Lyon’s first triumph in 2011 marked the beginning of an era that saw them clinch back-to-back crowns. First, they knocked off Turbine Potsdam in London, before beating their compatriots 1. FFC Frankfurt in Berlin the following year. Lyon reached the final for a third straight season the following year, but were ultimately downed by Wolfsburg. However, that defeat would catapult them on to further success.

They romped to an unprecedented five straight titles between 2016 and 2020, thanks to the brilliance of stars such as Ada Hegerberg, Wendie Renard, and Amandine Henry. Lyon beat Wolfsburg three times, as well as securing wins against compatriots Paris Saint-Germain and the current title holders of the competition Barcelona.

FFC Frankfurt

Before Lyon’s ascension, Frankfurt were at the top. They laid the groundwork for the future success of the women’s game. With four titles to their name, Frankfurt dominated in the early 2000s, winning the inaugural competition on home turf against Swedish outfit Umeå.

The Swedes would fight back, winning the next two titles, the second of which culminated in a redemption-earning victory against the former conquerors. The two rivals met again in 2008, further strengthening the continental rivalry. Frankfurt ran out victorious, taking a 2-1 lead in the pair’s three finals contested.

Two years earlier, in 2006, Lyon were crowned queens when they defeated Potsdam. They would then have to wait seven more years until they hoisted the famed trophy again, taking a back seat to the likes of Lyon and Wolfsburg. Frankfurt’s fourth and final crown to date eventually came in 2015 with a victory against Paris Saint-Germain in Berlin.

Players like Birgit Prinz, one of the all-time greats, exemplified the German outfit’s ethos, blending skill, determination, and leadership to guide her team to glory. However, since that fateful day in the French capital nine years ago, Frankfurt hasn’t come close to reigning the continent again and has only qualified for the tournament once.

Featured image via @olfeminin on Instagram

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