Baník and Basel lead celebrations

AC Milan were not the only team celebrating yesterday. FC Baník Ostrava in the Czech First Division were among the six other teams toasting title successes in Europe at the weekend. Champions were also crowned in Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus, Malta and Wales, but the titles in Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania remain undecided.

Baník clinch title
Baník clinched the title on Sunday with a 1-0 win at fourth-placed SK Sigma Olomouc. Czech international defender René Bolf, who will leave the club this summer to join AJ Auxerre, headed the only goal in the first half to secure a victory which gives Baník an unassailable eight-point lead over last year's champions, AC Sparta Praha.

Basel out in front
In Switzerland, goals from Scott Chipperfield and Philipp Degen were enough to win FC Basel 1893 their tenth Swiss Football League title with a 2-0 victory against FC Thun. With four games still to play, Basel, who have lost just twice this term, stand 13 points clear at the top of the standings. BSC Young Boys secured second position and a place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League by beating FC Aarau 1-0.

Maccabi keep promise
Maccabi Haifa FC clinched their eighth league title in Israel, meanwhile, after defeating Maccabi Nazareth FC 3-1. After losing the title to Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC by a two-goal margin last season, Roni Levy's side have made sure this time round with three matches to spare. Captain Arik Benado told supporters: "After losing the championship on the final day of last season, we promised to bring back the title and we kept our promise."

Local rivals neck and neck
To Romania now where, with six rounds remaining, FC Dinamo Bucuresti and FC Steaua Bucuresti continue to battle it out for the championship. A late goal by Iulian Tames stole the points for leaders Dinamo against FC Brasov, while Steaua - two points behind in second - had an easier time, winning 3-0 at the bottom club, FC Oradea. Next week's meeting of Dinamo and third-placed FC Rapid Bucuresti could be crucial.

Dinamo leapfrog Hajduk
In Croatia, Branko Strupar scored two excellent headers as NK Dinamo Zagreb secured a vital 3-1 victory over HNK Hajduk Split on Saturday. The result lifted Dinamo level on 69 points with Hajduk - and earned the sack for Hajduk coach Zoran Vulic, who has been replaced by Petar Nadoveza. Both sides have three matches to play but Dinamo are now favourites due to their better head-to-head record.

Lokomotiv move closer
In Bulgaria, PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv moved within two wins of their first title after a 3-1 win over PFC Litex Lovech. Although rivals PFC Levski Sofia were 6-0 home winnners against PFC Makedonska Slava, Lokomotiv’s five-point lead will be difficult to overturn with only three games remaining.

APOEL delight
Returning to those clubs already celebrating silverware, APOEL Nicosia FC claimed their 18th title on the final day of the Cypriot league season with a 2-1 victory over Ethnikos Achnas FC. Needing to win to make sure of the title, Ivan Jovanovic's side achieved the three points through goals from Nektarios Alexandrou and Konstantinos Makrides.

First for Rhyl
In Malta, meanwhile, Sliema Wanderers FC claimed their 25th Premier League title without playing after rivals Birkirkara FC could only draw 1-1 at Pietà Hotspurs FC on Sunday. And finally, in Wales, Rhyl FC secured their first Welsh Premiership title on Sunday, with a 2-0 win at Porthmadog FC. Not even a 5-0 victory for rivals Total Network Solutions FC at Welshpool Town FC could deny Rhyl, who won the championship by a single point.