1977–78 European Cup Winners' Cup
The European Cup Winners 'Cup 1977/78 was the 18th playout of the competition of European Football Cup Winners' Cup. 33 club teams from 32 countries took part, including defending champion Hamburger SV, 25 domestic cup winners and seven losing Cup Finalists (RSC Anderlecht, Lokomotiv Sofia, Paok Thessaloniki, ÍA Akranes, Glasgow Rangers, Besiktas Istanbul and Cardiff City). Cardiff City participated as a Cup finalist, as the winners of the Welsh Cup 1976/77 was a team from the English border region with Shrewsbury Town. Albania presented again no team.
From Germany were defending Hamburger SV DFB Cup winner 1st FC Cologne, from the GDR fdgb Cup finalist FC 1 Locomotive Leipzig, from Austria ÖFB Cup winners FK Austria Wien and from Switzerland Cupsieger BSC Young Boys at the start.
For the third consecutive year, the RSC Anderlecht reached the final. Through a clear playoff victory over Austria Wien the Belgians won the second triumph after 1976.
Scorers were together the Dutchman From Gritter from FC Twente Enschede, the German Ferdinand Keller Hamburger SV and the Belgian François Van Der Elst RSC Anderlecht, each with 6 goals.
Mode
The participants played as usual in pure Cup mode with return games the winner. Was there after two games Torgleichstand, the number of away goals scored decided ( away goals ). Was also equal in number to an extension took place in the return game in which was also the away goals rule. Ruled by the end of the extension is still a tie, a penalty shoot-out was performed. The final was decided on one game at a neutral venue. If the score is level after extra time the winner would also have been determined in a penalty shootout.
Preliminary round
The first leg took place on 17 August, the return match on August 31, 1977 to.
First round
The first legs took place from September 13 to 17, the return matches on 28-29. Of September 1977.
2nd round
The first legs took place on November 2, 1977 October 19, the return games.
Quarterfinals
The first legs were completed on 1 / 2 March and the return legs on 15 March 1978 instead.
Semifinal
The first legs were held on March 29, the return legs on April 12, 1978 instead.