Continental Club Competition Standard

European Competitive Standard Chart 

European International Club Standard Analysis Table

Era	Competitive Standard Analysis
Mitropa Cup (1927 - 1933)	Mitropa Cup was participated by four central European nations (Italy, Hungary, Austria and Czechoslovakia) who dominated the European football in the pre-war professional era. The participants were a two representatives of the top two in domestic league from each nation. However, the format was set as the knock-out style in two leg, started at quarter-final round. The clubs from all nations could win the title.
Mitropa Cup (1934 - 1939)	Mitropa Cup was increased number of participants to 16 teams. Switzerland and Romania was additional teams with Yugoslav team came back in 1937. However, Austrian teams withdrew since 1938 due to dependence to Nazi Germany. The clubs from all big four nations could achieve semi-finalist and win the title.
Latin Cup (1949 - 1953)	Latin Cup was participated by Four Latin European nations (Italy, Spain, Portugal and France) who dominated the European football in the post-war era. However, the competition format started at semi-final round. The clubs from all nations could win the title.
1955 - 1956	The Inaugural Tournament was designed as a knock-out competition and participated by 16 selected teams from France football magazine “L’Equippe”and about half of them were not a league champion of their nation. English and most of Eastern European nations were absent.
Late 1950s (1956 – 1960)	Since the second tournament, the participated teams were qualified as the champion of nation and was gradually increased from 21 to 26 teams. The rest of European teams gradually enter to the tournament especially English and Czechoslovak clubs joined in the second tournament. The competition was dominated by Real Madrid who won the titles in row. There were nine nations and twelve different semi-finalists in these four seasons.
Early 1960s (1960 – 1963)	The competition was participated by 27 - 28 teams. There were nine nations and ten different semi-finalists in these three seasons. No Eastern European club qualified for the semi-final round in this period. Benfica appeared as all three semi-finalists and won twice titles. Latin European dominated this era of European club as five of them appear in 3 final matches. However, Benfica was beaten by a big margin in intercontinental cup in consecutive two years.
Middle 1960s (1963 – 1967)	The competition was participated by around 30 teams. There were eleven nations and 13 different semi-finalists round in these four seasons with most participation by Italian clubs at four as a part of Inter Milan dominance as the three times finalists. Latin European still dominate European cup with six of them in four final matches. Soviet Union club first entered in 1966 – 1967 season but failed since the first round.
Late 1960s (1967 – 1970)	There were eight nations and eleven different teams reached semi-final round in these three seasons with most participation by English clubs at three. However, The Eastern European nations were suspended by UEFA in the 1968 – 1969 season.
Early 1970s (1970 – 1973)	The Era of Decline of big European nations. The only two of them as Italian teams reached the final matches. Ajax dominates the competition by winning all three titles without conceding a goal in those final matches. There were eight nations and ten different semi-finalists in these three seasons. Panathinaikos is the only Greek club to ever reach European Cup final match.
Middle 1970s (1973 – 1976)	Bayern Munich dominates the competition by winning all three titles without conceding a goal in three final matches. There were eight nations and nine different semi-finalists in these three seasons with three appearances from three different Spanish teams but the competition saw the absence of Italian clubs in all semi-final rounds.
Late 1970s to Early 1980s (1976 – 1982)	The Most Decline era in history of European Cup saw the dominance of English club six years in row with three time champions by Liverpool and German teams also reach all six semi-final round. However, the European representative in the early 1980s lost all three matches in intercontinental cup. There were only 11 nations in semi-final round of those six seasons. Clubs from nations like Austria could just reach its second semi-final round, Club from Soviet Union first achieved semi-finalist by Dinamo Kiev and Malmo is the only Scandinavian club to achieve finalist.
Early Middle 1980s (1982 – 1985)	The European club was still in its bottom level standard when the champions were beaten by South American club in consecutive three seasons. The Dominance of Italian clubs saw the appearance in three final matches. There were eight nations with only six different semi-finalists round with unexpected teams like Panathinaikos and Dundee United.
2nd half 1980s (1985 – 1991)	The English clubs was suspended due to Heysel Disaster. The European champions dominates intercontinental cup with five winning titles. There were twelve nations and 18 different semi-finalists.  Prominently, Portuguese and Balkan clubs appeared in three final matches. PSV could win the title incredibly by penalty-shoot out when it drew all last five matches. Italian Series was the best league in the World at that time but Italian club absent in the semi-final round three seasons in row (1985 – 1988) until Milan’s two consecutive titles.
Early 1990s (1991 – 1994)	The UEFA Champion League format was first introduced as two groups of quarter-final round. The first two seasons saw the first place of each group to qualify for final match. In the last season, the two teams from each group qualified for one-leg semi-final round.  In total, there were eight nations and ten different teams in the definitive semi-final rounds. All three final matched were competed by all Latin European teams and The German clubs disqualified for all semi-final rounds. However, all three European representatives were beaten in intercontinental cup.
Middle 1990s (1994 – 1997)	The UEFA Champion League Format was transformed to four groups with four teams in each group and two best teams in each group qualified for quarter-final round. The qualifying round was first introduced. The nations qualified for semi-final round was significantly reduced to just six with nine different teams. In semi-final rounds, Ajax appeared in all three seasons while the Spanish teams absent all of them. The Intercontinental Cup in this period was dominated by European teams.
Late 1990s (1997 – 1999)	The UEFA Champion League was increased the qualified teams for top European league. The runner-up from three best leagues were added to eligible. As of this transformation, Clubs from the big nations start to absolutely dominate the competitions.
Early 2000s (1999 – 2003)	The UEFA Champion League was increased the qualified teams for top European league. Maximum four teams from three best leagues were eligible. The competition format was newly set. The first group stage round was participated by 32 teams in 8 group. Two top teams of each group will form four groups in the second group stage round. Two top team from each group will qualify for the knock-out quarter-final round.  The semi-final round was participated by only different eleven semi-finalsits from four big nations (Spain, Italy, Germany and England), number of nations was contracted from the European Cup era around twice times and Spanish teams participated the most semi-finalists with 8 (Real Madrid achieved all four times) and four times finalists.
Middle 2000s (2003 – 2007)	The competition format was changed again to decrease number of games. The second round was transformed to knock-out format by 16 teams. As a result, the three clubs from other smaller nations returned to appear in semi-final round. English club dominated this era of competition with seven times semi-finalists and three times finalists while German club did not qualify for any semi-finalist. In 2005, the rule was set that the defending champion will not be automatically qualified for the next season.
Late 2000s (2007 – 2010)	Lyon was the only club could intercalate a place among the big four nations. English club still dominated the competition with six finalists and three finalists. There were different 8 semi-finalists. Barcelona participated in all three semi-final round.
Early 2010s (2010 – 2014)	The big European nations were reduced from four to three after the big decline of Italian football who never disqualified for semi-final round in the period. Moreover, there was no club from other nation aside from the big three in the semi-final round and there were only six different semi-finalists. Spanish clubs dominated as eight times semi-finalists with consecutive four time by Real Madrid.

Latin American International Cup Standard Chart

Copa Libertadores Cup Standard Analysis Table

Era	Competitive Standard Analysis
Early 1960s 1960 - 1961	The Inaugural tournament was participated by seven nations as the champion of domestic league. Peruvian and Ecuadorian clubs absent.     The format is set as two leg trough the competition. There were three couples in the first round, one team got a bye for the semi-final round. However, the Peruvian club finally entered in its second and the first round was expanded to four couples.
Early 1960s (1962 – 1963)	The defending champion was first automatically qualified for the semi-final round and another team from the same defending champion nation was first eligible to play. Ecuadorian club first entered to the tournament. This priod of Copa Libertadores cup is regarded as the most competitive for the top level teams in history of the tournament when Santos, Panarol, Botafogo and Boca Juniors simultaneously met the peak era with many superstars.
Middle 1960s (1964 – 1965)	Venezuelan club participated in the tournament for the first time and could eliminate Brazilian representative like Bahia.
1966	The tournament was first increased number of participants which is included runner-up of domestic league. This led the absence of Brazilian and Colombian club from the disagreement. The format was set as a group stage with 4 – 6 teams in each group of total three and the semi-final round was changed to the league system and team from the same nations are provided in the same group. The champion Penarol could win Intercontinental Cup.
1967	The Brazilian and Colombian clubs finally returned to participate although Nacional champion of Uruguayan league and Santos runner-up of Brazilian championship declined to enter in 1967 tournament. The second round was divided into two groups, is contained with three and four teams. The champion Racing Club could win Intercontinental Cup.
1968	The competition format was re-set to have the maximum number of teams in each group at four. The second round was divided into three groups. The semi-final round was returned to two leg knock-out style. The champion Estudientes could win Intercontinental Cup.
1969 - 1970	The Brazilian teams withdrew again as the disagreement of competition format which effect to the program of the 1970 World Cup qualifying round. Estidientes lost in both intercontinental cup final matches.
The 1970s (1971 – 1979)	The aftermath of 1970 saw the steady of competition in both format and participants. In the twenty number of participants, the group stage is set in five groups with four teams of each to find the winner with additional defending champion will be competed in semi-final round in two groups with three teams of each group.  Brazilian club could win the trophy in only once time and Argentine clubs dominated the competition with six times Champion and three runner-up, prominently Independiente won four consecutive titles in the mid-1970s. In this period, there were five teams outside the big three nations, could reach the final matches. The South American clubs could win Intercontinental Cup four times in total eight held competitions.
1st half 1980s (1980 – 1984)	The South American clubs won all five intercontinental cup in this period as a sign of South American club glory era. Brazilian clubs replaced Argentine club as the dominance side of competition. Chilean club could appear in two final matches.
Middle Late 1980s (1985 – 1987)	The beginning era of critical decline: A large number of south American players starts moving to Europe regularly. While the top level group was lowered especially the Brazilian clubs were disqualified since the first round in in all three tournaments, Colombian club had become stronger when America De Cali reached final match in three consecutive times. South American won only one Intercontinental Cup trophy from total seven matches.
Late 1980s to Early 1990s (1988 – 1991)	The Format was re-changed again in second round from group stage to the knock-out two-leg competition. The defending champion was automatically qualified for the second round.  The Brazilian clubs was still in the failure period, reached the semi-final round   just once time while teams from Ecuador and Colombia totally achieved five semi-finalists and two finalists and it is also the first time Paraguayan club qualified for the final match. In this period, South American club was defeated in every Intercontinental Cup matches.
Early to The Middle 1990s (1992 – 1997)	The Brazilian clubs returned to dominate the competition when it won four champions from five final matches, prominently Sao Paolo was a three consecutive finalists. In every tournament, there were always two teams outside big three South American nations could achieve the semi-finalist and four of them reached the final match in different season but was defeated all. The South American club won intercontinental cup four times in row.
Late 1990s (1998 – 1999)	The Mexican clubs was first allowed to participate in the tournament. In both tournament, there were always two teams outside big three South American nations could achieve the semi-finalist and two team of them achieve the finalist in different season. However, the South American Representatives was defeated in both Intercontinental Cup.
The First Half 2000s (2000 – 2004)	The number of participants was increased from 16 to 32 teams and the group stage was expanded from five to eight with minimum three teams from each nation and maximum six teams from one nation including defending champion. The rule was re-set that automatic qualification for defending champion is provided in the group stage.  Boca Juniors absolutely dominated the competition, won three titles in four final matches. There were seven times for team outside big two nations could   achieve semi-finalist and three of them qualified for the final match. South American clubs was defeated twice in Intercontinental Cup exclude penalty-shoot out.
The Second Half 2000s (2005 – 2009)	In 2005, the qualifying round was added. The Brazilian clubs dominates the competition with seven finalists and two champions. There were seven times for team outside big two nations could achieve semi-finalist. However, only one of them qualified for final match and also won the title. South American club won FIFA Club World Cup twice.
The First Half 2010s (2010 – 2013)	The era of decline was marked when the South American club disqualified for FIFA Club World Cup twice although it could win one title. The dominance side of Brazilian teams saw the consecutive four champions. There were seven times for team outside big two nations could achieve semi-finalist an three of them also achieved finalist.

CAF Champion Cup Standard Analysis Table

Era	Grade	Competitive Standard Analysis
1964	F	The Inaugural African Club of Champion Cup was participated by representatives who was a champion of national competition from West, East, Central African nations. Only four teams participated in qualifying round and four teams qualified for the final tournament. The Competition format is the one match knock-out style.
1966 - 1967	D	The second tournament was participated by 12 teams. The format of competition was changed in the two leg knock-out style. The defending champion was automatically qualified for the second round. North and Southern African club still absent. North African team first entered to the third tournament. There were 14 teams set in the first round but three teams withdrew, one team withdrew in the quarter-final round and Asante Kotoko withdrew in the championship play-off.
1968 - 1969	D+	Representative clubs from all zones participated and there was no withdrawal since the first round.
1970 - 1979	C-	The First Round was increased to 16 - 26 teams. Southern African teams first entered to the tournament. The champions were from five different nations and the finalists were from nine different nations. Haifa FC could reach final match four times.
1980 - 1996	C	The First Round was increased to 30 - 32 teams. In 1982, the preliminary round was added as the qualifying for the first round. The defending champion was descended in automatic qualification from second round to first round. There were only three tournament that champions were outside North Africa. Egyptian cub dominates the competition with 8 times finalists and 6 times champions. There were 6 different nations as the champions and 13 different nations as a finalist.
1997 - 2009	C+	The CAF Champion League was first introduced. The quarter-final round was changed to the league system with two groups and the champion of each group qualified for the final match in which was still provided the two leg. Since 2000, The semi-final round was added for the best two teams in each group in the quarter-final round. Since 2006, Preliminary round was increased to 64 teams. North African clubs still dominate the competition with 7 champions and 14 finalists and only two final matches had no North African participant. However, the African clubs failed to achieve third place in FIFA Club World Cup since its establishment in 2005 and finished fourth place only once time.
2010 - 2013	B-	The North African club unexpectedly reached the final match of FIFA Club Word Cup twice and finish third place once, is marked as the golden era of African club football. North African club achieved 6 finalists and 3 champions. ES Tunis reach the final match in three consecutive times.

AFC Champion League Standard Analysis Table

Era	Grade	Competitive Standard Analysis
1967	F	The Inaugural Asian Champion Club Tournament was participated by only six champions of domestic league from different nations when Indian and Iranian teams withdrew. The format is knock-out style.
1969 - 1971	D	There were ten domestic league champions from ten countries competed in the tournament. The competition format is set as two group stage and two best teams in each group qualified for the semi-final round. Israeli Clubs dominated the competition with three champions and four finalists.
1985	D	The Asian Club Championship was first held after the competition was defunct for 14 years. The zonal qualifying round was provided. The final tournament was competed by six teams in two group stage to qualify for semi-final round.
1986	D+	In 1986, The Group Stage round was increased to 12 teams in four groups and the Winner of each group qualified for the final round in the league system.
1987 – 1990	D+	The group stage was divided into two groups with 7 - 9 teams and the winner of each group qualified for final round. The three champions were from three different nations.
1990 - 1994	D+	The group stage was divided into two groups with 6 - 7 teams and the top two of each group qualified for the semi-final round. Iranian Clubs reach final match three times in row.
1994 - 2002	C-	The two group in quarter-final round was separated specifically into West and East Asia. South Korea dominated the competition with five champions and seven finalists.
2002 - 2003	C	The AFC Champion League was first held with 16 participants from 12 nations. The Group Stage was divided into four group and the Winner of each group qualified for semi-final round in the two leg knock-out style.
2004 - 2008	C+	The Number of Participants was increased to 32 teams in 8 groups and the Winner of each group qualified for quarter-final round in the two leg knock-out style. In 2006, Australian club first entered to the tournament. The Asian clubs won third place twice and fourth once in four FIFA Club World Cup.
2009 - 2013	C+	The knock-out round of 16 teams was added. East Asian dominated the competition with four champions and one runner-up which is defeated by penalty shoot-out. The Asian clubs won third place twice and fourth twice in five FIFA Club World Cup.