 This was a marked improvement on the performance of English teams before the Premier League era, when English clubs contested the cup on five occasions (1968, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1984), losing each time, and allowing South America to finish with 22 wins, one ahead of Europe's 21 (see table here).Additionally, English clubs have initially qualified for the Intercontinental Cup but withdrew from participation, namely Liverpool in 1977 and Nottingham Forest in 1979.Both berths were eventually taken by the respective European Cup losing finalists.