Inter victory restores Italian pride

Italy have joined Spain as the joint-most successful country in European Champion Clubs' Cup history after FC Internazionale Milano triumphed 2-0 in Madrid – the 12th final won by a Serie A side.

Before tonight's showdown at the Santiago Bernabéu, Spain had lifted the trophy 12 times, one more than both Italy and England, but Inter's defeat of FC Bayern München took Italy level with the Liga clubs at the top.

Germany remains level with the Netherlands in joint-fourth place on the list with six wins apiece, although Bundesliga teams have contested 14 finals compared with the Eredivisie's total of eight. Portugal are sixth in the standings with SL Benfica and FC Porto each having claimed the trophy twice.

No other nation has collected more than one European Cup, with French sides falling at the final hurdle on five occasions to leave Olympique de Marseille's 1993 coronation as their sole moment of glory. The former Yugoslavia (FK Crvena Zvezda, 1991), Scotland (Celtic FC, 1967) and Romania (FC Steaua Bucureşti, 1986) have welcomed back European champions once; Belgium (Club Brugge KV, 1978), Greece (Panathinaikos FC, 1971) and Sweden (Malmö FF, 1979) lost their only finals.

Real Madrid CF remain undisputed masters of the competition, however, having conquered Europe nine times – most recently in 2002 – two more than nearest rivals AC Milan, who were last victorious three years ago. Liverpool FC have five continental crowns, one more than AFC Ajax and Bayern. Inter move alongside FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC, who each hold three European titles in their cabinets.