The history of Schalke 04
Milestones and background from the club's history, in chronological order.
More milestones and background for each event.
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Competitions
Nicknames through the years Three names tell a story of near misses, late goals and an unbeaten season. Read the storiesClose the stories
Kreisel, championships and European football
The first European match
Schalke make their European debut away to Kjøbenhavns Boldklub.
The preliminary-round first leg of the European Cup ends in a 3-0 defeat at Copenhagen’s Idrætsparken.
Reaching a European quarter-final
After drawing 2-2 in Wolverhampton, Schalke win the return against Wanderers 2-1.
They reach the quarter-finals in their first European campaign.
Eurofighters, heartbreak and a new arena
The first European final
Schalke beat Inter 1-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Cup final.
Marc Wilmots scores the decisive goal at the Parkstadion.
The Eurofighters win the UEFA Cup
A 1-0 defeat in the return leaves the aggregate score level even after extra time.
Schalke win the shoot-out 4-1 in Milan to claim their first European trophy.
The first Champions League match
The attacks in the United States overshadow Schalke’s Champions League debut.
The match against Panathinaikos nevertheless goes ahead and ends in a 2-0 defeat.
First UEFA Intertoto Cup success
Following a 2-0 win in Pasching, a goalless return is enough for Schalke.
As one of three Intertoto winners, the club qualifies for the UEFA Cup.
Another Intertoto success
Aílton’s goal in a 1-0 win at Liberec seals a second consecutive Intertoto success.
Schalke win the final 3-1 on aggregate.
European highlights and Ruhr derbies
First qualification for the Champions League round of 16
A 3-1 win over Rosenborg takes Schalke into the Champions League round of 16 for the first time.
They finish second in the group behind Chelsea.
The first Champions League round-of-16 match
Schalke win their first Champions League round-of-16 match 1-0 against Porto.
Kevin Kurányi scores early in the first leg.
Neuer takes Schalke into the quarter-finals
After a 1-0 defeat in Porto, the tie goes to penalties.
Manuel Neuer makes two saves as Schalke win the shoot-out 4-1 to reach their first modern Champions League quarter-final.
Five goals away to holders Inter
Schalke recover from an early setback to beat holders Inter 5-2 away.
It becomes one of the club’s greatest European nights.
Reaching the Champions League semi-finals
A 2-1 return-leg win over Inter confirms Schalke’s first Champions League semi-final appearance.
They win the quarter-final 7-3 on aggregate.
The first Champions League semi-final match
Schalke play their first Champions League semi-final match against Manchester United.
Despite numerous saves by Manuel Neuer, the first leg ends in a 2-0 defeat.
A 4-3 win at Real Madrid
Schalke win the round-of-16 return 4-3 away to holders Real Madrid.
Following a 2-0 first-leg defeat, they nevertheless fall one goal short of progressing.
