Super Cup of firsts

The meeting of Real Madrid CF and Feyenoord in the 2002 Super Cup means that there will be a first-time competition winner, as neither side has ever won the traditional European club season curtain-raiser.

Two defeats
Madrid, whose 2002 European Champion Clubs’ triumph was their ninth such success, are appearing in their third Super Cup. They lost to Chelsea FC in 1998 and Galatasaray SK in 2000. Feyenoord, the UEFA Cup champions, are appearing in the Super Cup for the first time.

New 'golden goal'
Another first for the match is that it is the first UEFA club competition final in which the amended 'golden goal' format is to be applied. Although 'golden goals' had decided European finals at senior and age-limit tournaments involving national teams, no European club competition had been settled by a 'golden goal' until Madrid were beaten by the Mario Jardel goal that gave Galatasaray their 2-1 victory in the 2000 Super Cup.

Sporting chance
Under the new rules, if a 'golden goal' is scored during the first half of extra-time, the game will continue until half-time. If, after 105 minutes, the scores are still level, a further 15 minutes will be played. In other words, extra-time will last either 15 or 30 minutes – and the side which concedes a 'golden goal' will, at least, be given a sporting chance of fighting back.