Europa have secured their first Gibraltarian league title since 1951/52 – ending Lincoln’s hopes of setting a new European record.

Under their temporary name of Newcastle, Lincoln clinched what was their ninth league crown in 2002/03 and went on to win 14 in a row before Europa denied them this season in the final weekend. That means the Red Imps were unable to move one ahead of Skonto, who claimed the Latvian title every year between 1991 and 2004 to now jointly hold the European record on 14.

Lincoln also finished one short of what is believed to be the world best by Tafea of Vanuatu, whose run of 15 consecutive championships lasted from 1994 to 2008/09. The longest current European run is BATE Borisov’s in Belarus, where this year they are aiming for a 12th consecutive championship.

Meanwhile, Vaduz’s 45th Liechtenstein Cup, clinched on Wednesday with a 5-1 win against Eschen-Mauren, extended their world record tally of domestic cups. Linfield of Northern Ireland are closest on 43, while Vaduz (who play league football in Switzerland as Liechtenstein has no championship) also have the two longest streaks of consecutive cup wins on 14 and seven.

We look at the table Lincoln jointly lead and at the other record holders for winning runs in European leagues and cups.


BATE are on a run of 11 straight Belarusian titles©Pressball

Most consecutive titles in European championships
14 Lincoln (Gibraltar) 2002/03–2015/16
14 Skonto (Latvia) 1991–2004
13 Rosenborg (Norway) 1992–2004
11 BATE Borisov (Belarus) 2006–
11 Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) 2005/06–2015/16
10 Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia) 1990–1999
10 Dynamo Berlin (East Germany) 1978/79–1987/88
10 MTK Budapest (Hungary) 1914, 1917–1925
10 Pyunik (Armenia) 2001–2010
10 Sheriff (Moldova) 2001–2010

Longest other current runs
8 Basel (Switzerland) 2009/10–
7 Olympiacos (Greece) 2010/11–
6 Juventus (Italy) 2011/12–
6 Celtic (Scotland) 2011/12– (Scottish record is 9 held by both Celtic and Rangers)
6 Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria) 2011/12–
6 The New Saints (Wales) 2011/12–
5 APOEL (Cyprus) 2012/13–
5 Bayern München (Germany) 2012/13–

Rangers have won a record 54 league titles


Rangers have won a record 54 league titles©Getty Images

Most titles in total in European championships
54 Rangers (Scotland)
52 Linfield (Northern Ireland)
48 Celtic (Scotland)
44 Olympiacos (Greece)
36 Benfica (Portugal)
34 Anderlecht (Belgium)
33 Ajax (Netherlands)
33 Sparta Praha (Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic)
33 Juventus (Italy)
33 Real Madrid (Spain)
32 Rapid Wien (Austria) – also won a unified German title in 1941
31 CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria)

Most consecutive domestic cup wins in Europe (only main FA cup counted)
14 Vaduz (Liechtenstein) 1998–2011
7 Vaduz (Liechtenstein) 1956–1962
6 Dinamo Tbilisi (Georgia) 1937–1942
6 Principat (Andorra) 1994–1999
6 Shamrock Rovers (Republic of Ireland) 1964–1969
6 Vaduz (Liechtenstein) 1966–1971

Vaduz are dominant in the Liechtenstein Cup


Vaduz are dominant in the Liechtenstein Cup©Eddy Risch

Most domestic cups in Europe (only main FA cup counted)
45 Vaduz (Liechtenstein)
43 Linfield (Northern Ireland)
36 Celtic (Scotland)
33 Rangers (Scotland)
28 Barcelona (Spain)
28 Benfica (Spain)
27 Austria Wien (Austria)
27 Olympiacos (Greece)
26 HB (Faroe Islands)
25 Levski Sofia (Bulgaria)
25 Sparta Praha (Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic)


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