1987–88 European Cup Winners' Cup
The European Cup Winners 'Cup 1987/88 was the 28th playout of the competition of European Football Cup Winners' Cup. 33 club teams from 32 countries took part, including 22 domestic cup winners (including defending champions Ajax Amsterdam) and 11 inferior Cup finalists ( FK Vitosha Sofia, Olympique Marseille, Dundalk FC, Atalanta, Sliema Wanderers FC Swarovski Tirol, Sporting Lisbon, ADO Den Haag, Aalborg BK, Dynamo Minsk and Dinamo Bucharest). Clubs from England were still excluded after the disaster of Heysel from participation.
From Germany were DFB Cup winners Hamburger SV, from the GDR fdgb Cup winners FC 1 Locomotive Leipzig, from Austria ÖFB Cupfinalist FC Swarovski Tirol and Switzerland Cupsieger BSC Young Boys at the start.
The final at the Stade de la Meinau Strasbourg won the Belgian outsider KV Mechelen against the hot favorites and defending champions Ajax Amsterdam surprising 1-0.
Scorer of the Brazilian Paulinho Cascavel Sporting Lisbon 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 23 August, the return leg on 28 August 1987.
First round
The first legs took place on 13./15./16. September, the return matches on 29-30. Of September 1987.
2nd round
The first legs took place on 21-22. October, the return matches on 3 / 5 November 1987 instead.
Quarterfinals
The first legs were completed on 1 / 9 March and the return matches on 15-16. March 1988 instead.
Semifinal
The first legs took place on April 6, the return legs on April 20, 1988 instead.