1961–62 European Cup

A total of 29 teams participated in the competition. For the first time since European Cup inaugural season Spain was represented by only one team – ever-present Real Madrid. Benfica qualified as title holders and since they were also Portuguese champions, runners-up Sporting CP were invited. CDNA Sofia appeared in the sixth edition of European Cup, with only Real Madrid having more appearances in the competition. Austria Wien, Boldklubben 1913, Tottenham Hotspur, Valkeakosken Haka, Monaco, Hibernians, Feyenoord, Górnik Zabrze and 1. FC Nürnberg made their debut in the competition, while Juventus, Panathinaikos and Fredrikstad returned to the tournament from previous edition. Servette and Partizan returned to the tournament for the first time since 1956, while Spora Luxembourg and Vasas returned to the competition after five and four years, respectively. All participants were their respective associations champions, except for Boldklubben 1913, IFK Göteborg and Sporting CP. The first two were leading their respective leagues in spring, but finished third in autumn of 1961. ==Preliminary round==

The draw for the preliminary round took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 4 July 1961. As title holders, Benfica received a bye, and the remaining 28 teams were grouped geographically into two pots. The first team drawn in each pot also received a bye, while the remaining clubs would play the first round in September. The calendar was decided by the involved teams, with all matches to be played by 30 September. First leg ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Second leg Rangers won 6–4 on aggregate. ---- Dukla Prague won 6–5 on aggregate. ---- Feyenoord won 11–2 on aggregate. ---- 1. FC Nürnberg won 9–1 on aggregate. ---- Boldklubben 1913 won 15–2 on aggregate. ---- Partizan won 3–1 on aggregate. ---- Standard Liège won 4–1 on aggregate. ---- Real Madrid won 5–1 on aggregate. ---- Servette won 7–1 on aggregate. ---- Tottenham Hotspur won 10–5 on aggregate. ---- Juventus won 3–2 on aggregate. ---- Austria Wien won 2–0 on aggregate. ---- Vorwärts Berlin won 3–0 on aggregate. ==Bracket==

First leg ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Second leg Real Madrid won 12–0 on aggregate. ---- Standard Liège won 7–1 on aggregate. ---- Benfica won 6–2 on aggregate. ---- {{football box Juventus won 7–1 on aggregate. ---- Tottenham Hotspur won 4–2 on aggregate. ---- {{football box Dukla Prague won 5–4 on aggregate. ---- Rangers won 6–2 on aggregate. ---- 1. FC Nürnberg won 3–1 on aggregate. ==Quarter-finals==

First leg ---- ---- ---- Second leg Standard Liège won 4–3 on aggregate. ---- Juventus 1–1 Real Madrid on aggregate; play-off needed. ---- Benfica won 7–3 on aggregate. ---- Tottenham Hotspur won 4–2 on aggregate. Play-off Real Madrid won 3–1 in play-off. ==Semi-finals==

First leg ---- Second leg Benfica won 4–3 on aggregate. ---- Real Madrid won 6–0 on aggregate. ==Final==

The top scorers from the 1961–62 European Cup (including preliminary round) were as follows: ==Notes==