UEFA Cup Final 2000

Storyline

Galatasaray were required to qualify for the group stage, as Turkey's country coefficient only held qualifying places. The Turks entered the third qualifying round of the 1999-2000 UEFA Champions League, the final qualifying game of the competition, where they competed against Rapid Wien in two matches. Galatasaray won the first leg with 3-0 at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, and earned their spot in the first group stage following a 1-0 win at their home arena, Ali Sami Yen Stadium in the decisive leg. Galatasaray were scheduled to take part in Group G, containing Chelsea, Hertha Berlin and Milan. Six matches were played, as they recorded a total two wins, one draw and three defeats, thus descending into the third round of the UEFA Cup. Galatasaray faced Bologna in the competition's third round. The first game was played at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, which ended in a 1-1 draw; the Italian side took the lead after a Giuseppe Signori goal during the second half, before Hakan Sükür level-led the score, with eight minutes remaining. At home, the Turkish side scored twice during the first half, and conceded once, as they won the match 2-1, and the overall leg 3-2. Galatasaray were pitted against Borussia Dortmund in the fourth round. Gala won 2-0 away at Westfalenstadion, while a scoreless draw in the homecoming match was enough for Galatasaray to see them through. In the quarter-finals, Galatasaray's opponents were Mallorca. They won the first match with 4-1, which was played at Son Moix. They booked their place in the next round by clinching a 2-1 home victory in the return leg, winning 6-2 on aggregate. Galatasaray were up against Leeds United in the semi-finals. The Istanbul side began their first game on home soil with a 2-0 win, following goals by Sükür and Capone. At Elland Road, their second match ended in a 2-2 stalemate, with Gheorghe Hagi and Sükür netting, thus winning the tie 4-2 and proceeding to the final.