Weekend review

VfL Wolfsburg provided the biggest story in Europe's highest-profile leagues as the unfancied club stormed to their maiden Bundesliga title. FC Girondins de Bordeaux could join them in being crowned next weekend after they maintained their three-point cushion in France, while in England the last-day intrigue surrounded the relegation battle. Newcastle FC and Middlesbrough FC eventually succumbed, as did US Lecce in Serie A and Spanish Liga duo RC Recreativo de Huelva and CD Numancia. Higher up the standings, ACF Fiorentina guaranteed themselves a UEFA Champions League qualifying berth in Italy and Club Atlético de Madrid advanced their claims in Spain. Elsewhere...

Scotland: Rangers seize back supremacy
Rangers FC claimed their 52nd Scottish title, but the first since 2005, as they won 3-0 away to Dundee United FC on the final day of the season to end the three-year streak of championships won by Glasgow rivals Celtic FC. "It was a terrific performance," said manager Walter Smith. "We had to produce one and I thought we were terrific here today." Celtic could only draw 0-0 with Heart of Midlothian FC.

Belgium: Joy for Standard and Genk
League and cup matters were settled in Belgium, with R. Standard de Liège winning their tenth Belgian championship after a first-half penalty from Axel Witsel proved sufficient to complete a 2-1 aggregate win against RSC Anderlecht in their play-off second leg. That came a day after KRC Genk had lifted the Belgian Cup for the third time by beating KV Mechelen 2-0 thanks to Marvin Ogunjimi's double.

Denmark: Double delight for FCK
FC København completed the domestic double in Denmark as a 1-0 win away to Esbjerg fB coupled with an identical defeat for nearest rivals Brøndby IF at AGF Århus ended the title race just three days after FCK won the Danish Cup. "We were a bit worn out today," admitted FCK coach Ståle Solbakken. "We played with low risk and with the belief that we could score the deciding goal.

Albania: Tirana triumphant on final day
A 2-1 victory for KF Tirana on the final day of the season against title rivals KS Vllaznia earned the capital club their 24th Albanian crown and a place in UEFA Champions League qualifying next term. The club's majority owner, Refik Halili, said: "We deserved to win and I am very happy for this team, who have been strong all season long. At the end, we were the better side."

Azerbaijan: Qarabağ celebrate cup success
FK Qarabağ won the opportunity to play in the inaugural UEFA Europa League next season by defeating FC İnter Bakı 1-0 to claim the Azerbaijani Cup, 19-year-old Vaqif Cavadov hitting the winner from the penalty spot in the 57th minute. "Before the match I promised we would win and I kept my word," said Qarabağ midfielder Zaur Ramazanov.

Hungary: Debrecen end championship suspense
Debreceni VSC won their fourth Hungarian 1. Liga title in the last five years on Friday, when a 3-2 win at Diósgyőri VTK gave them an unassailable six-point lead over Újpest FC. With number of wins being the deciding factor rather than goal difference, Debrecen's 20th league success of the season meant Újpest – 4-3 losers to Győri ETO FC on Saturday – could have drawn level on points but not victories had they won their final two games.

Israel: Maccabi Haifa reassert authority
Maccabi Haifa FC were crowned Israeli Ligat Ha'Al champions for the eleventh time after triumphing 2-0 at Maccabi Netanya FC to move clear beyond the reach of closest pursuers Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC. "I'm delighted we managed to take the title back to Haifa after two years, but even happier with the way in which we achieved it," commented coach Elisha Levy, who can steer the club to a league and cup double by defeating Beitar Jerusalem FC in Tuesday's Israel State Cup final.

Moldova: Sheriff secure domestic double
FC Sheriff completed the domestic double for the second season in a row, beating FC Dacia Chişinău 2-0 in the Moldovan Cup final to retain their trophy and add it to the ninth consecutive league title they confirmed last month. "The players performed a tactical task, we won and I can say that I feel happy now," enthused Sheriff trainer Leonid Kuchuk.

Switzerland: Zürich toast title win
FC Zürich wrapped up the Swiss Super League title slightly sooner than expected after their 1-0 victory at AC Bellinzona coincided with a 4-1 defeat for rivals and defending titleholders FC Basel 1893 at Grasshopper-Club. French forward Alexandre Alphonse headed in the winner for FCZ from a Dušan Djurić cross on 31 minutes, taking his side four points clear of Basel with one match remaining. 

Austria: Austria Wien lift cup
FK Austria Wien were made to work hard by second-tier FC Admira Wacker Mödling before eventually winning their 27th Austrian Cup with a 3-1 victory in extra-time, Milenko Ačimovič scoring both goals after the sides could not be separated in 90 minutes. "Ačimovič is a player who can make the difference against any team in Austria," explained victorious coach Karl Daxbacher.

Malta: Hibernians hold on
Hibernians FC secured their tenth Maltese title after a goalless draw with second-placed Valletta FC left them two points clear at the end of the Premier League season. Defending titleholders Valletta required a victory to leapfrog their opponents at the final hurdle, but it was not to be as Hibernians emerged unscathed to celebrate their first league crown since 2001/02.