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European sport

Madrid reigns in Europe: football, basketball, football sala

The Spanish capital is a dominating force in some of the continent's leading sports with only one country able to boast more titles than the city.

Update:
El Real Madrid celebra en el Bernabéu un hito histórico que nunca se había logrado: lograr la Champions de fútbol y la Euroliga de baloncesto en la misma temporada.
El Real Madrid celebra en el Bernabéu un hito histórico que nunca se había logrado: lograr la Champions de fútbol y la Euroliga de baloncesto en la misma temporada.AFP

The city of Madrid has become a European power across three of the continent's most followed sports: football, indoor football (also known as football sala or futsal) and basketball. Right now, the capital of Spain reigns in these sports in Europe as its teams currently hold the Champions League and the European Super Cup with Real Madrid, the Europa League with Atlético Madrid, the 'Futsal Cup' with Movistar Inter and the Euroleague thanks to Real Madrid's men's basketball team.

Champions League | Another win for the city of Madrid
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Champions League | Another win for the city of MadridJAVIER GANDULDIARIO AS

Madrid vs Europe's sporting nations

These four titles have only ever been won by one country, besides Spain, and that feat belonged to Italy. No other city, or country, has held all four concurrently in the same year, with Madrid proving itself to be more adept than any city at picking up continental tournament wins. In total the city of Quevedo, Plácido Domingo and Penélope Cruz has 33 titles across the four competitions, surpassing by some distance the totals for countries like England (20), Germany (13), Portugal (7) and France (2). In fact, Italy, with 35 titles, is the only full nation with more than the Spanish capital.

Titles by city

City

Champions League

Europa League

Futsal Cup

Euroleague

TOTAL

Madrid

13

5

5

10

33

Milan1030316
Barcelona50229
Moscow01179
Athens00099
Liverpool53008
Munich51006
Tel Aviv00066
Amsterdam41005
Turin23005
Sevilla05005
Varese00055
Manchester31004
London13004
Lisbon20103
Porto12003
Castellón00202
Almaty00202
Belgarde10012
Monchengladbach02002
Brussels00101
Pescara00101
Marseille10001
Valencia01001
Rome00011
Glasgow10001

As for cities, the difference is obviously even greater. The closest to Madrid, in terms of these continental trophies, is the Italian metropolis of Milan. A fine tally of 13 Champions Leagues have been won between Inter and AC Milan and three Euroleagues by Olimpia Milano. As yet, however, there is no futsal team from the northern city that has been able to topple Europe's best. Barcelona, Moscow and Athens sit next with nine titles each, followed by Liverpool on eight, all thanks to their football side in red. The hugely influential capital of England, which boasts a vast array of London-based teams across the sports, will be disappointed with a haul of just four.

Spain's total of 51 continental titles includes the additions to those of the capital with wins for Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Playas de Castellón and Joventud de Badalona.