Newcastle United's European journey...

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH OUR NEWCASTLE IN EUROPE QUIZ AS UNITED MAKE THEIR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RETURN

- By DAVID MORTON

AFTER the most turbulent of summers for Newcastle United and with the new Premier League season already underway, the Magpies are now preparing for a well-earned return to European football's elite club competition - the UEFA Champions League.

Eddie Howe's team will initially face eight different teams in the league stage, beginning with a mouthwatering, high-profile clash against mighty Barcelona at St James' Park on Thursday. It's a tie, of course, which has quite a bit of history.

United's record in Europe is far from shabby. To date, they have played 140 games in all competitions. This will be their 18th continental campaign since 1968-69 - a season when, remarkably, they lifted the trophy, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, at the first time of asking.

The 2025-26 season will mark Newcastle's fourth campaign in the Champions League. It's been quite a story and there are hopefully many new exciting chapters to write.

Just for fun, we've compiled 25 questions on Newcastle United's eventful journey in competitive European football from 1968 to the present day. Some are relatively easy, while others aren't. The questions run chronologically and you'll find the answers below. Good luck.

1. Newcastle United played their first ever competitive European game on September 11, 1968, at St James' Park, winning 4-0. Who were their opponents?