He also writes his own football blog: www.elevenmanteam.com Since its inception in 1955, the competition founded as the European Champions Clubs’ Cup and then simply the European Cup, has morphed into the behemoth that remains unchallenged as European football’s most prestigious prize. Of the 78 teams to have participated in this year’s competition since the qualifying rounds began last July, only one will raise the famous trophy in triumph come May 28th.