The 2000-01 campaign saw 1860 Munich consolidate their place in the Bundesliga elite, finishing 11th after the previous season's surprise European qualification. Leading the line was the ever-reliable Australian forward Paul Agostino, whose best-ever return of 12 goals was vital for Die Löwen. The season was defined by a European adventure, beginning with a tough Champions League qualifying battle against Leeds United before a run to the third round of the UEFA Cup, a campaign built on grit and the experience of veterans like Thomas Häßler. It was a stable year that cemented their top-flight status and added to the nostalgia of their mid-table Bundesliga resurgence.