City clinch title, tension mounts in Spain

Manchester City FC were able to uncork the champagne on Sunday as they secured the Premier League title on the final day of the season, and the Liga race is also set to go all the way after Club Atlético de Madrid spurned a chance to cross the finishing line. Meanwhile, a number of European places and relegation spots were settled in Italy and Germany, and FC Shakhtar Donetsk were crowned in Ukraine. UEFA.com recaps the action.

England
Manchester City kept their cool to clinch their second Premier League title in three seasons as they downed West Ham United FC 2-0 on the final day of the season to finish two points ahead of Liverpool FC, 2-1 comeback victors against Newcastle United FC. "It's an amazing feeling – there is no word to explain my feelings right now," said Samir Nasri, who opened the scoring for City. "We have been behind but we kept believing." In third, Chelsea FC edged bottom side Cardiff City FC 2-1, while fourth-placed Arsenal FC's 2-0 success at Norwich City FC consigned their hosts to the second division next term.

Spain
Atlético and FC Barcelona will face off on the final day of the season to decide the destination of the Liga title, after the Rojiblancos passed up the chance to end the tension on Sunday. Barça's 0-0 stalemate at Elche FC meant that a win against Málaga CF would secure Atleti the league, but they could only draw 1-1. "It is a final at the Camp Nou and we'll fight to the end," said Atlético captain Gabi. Real Madrid CF are out of the title picture after failing to win for the third time running in a 2-0 reverse at RC Celta de Vigo. "We are disappointed. Now we have to rest and prepare for the [UEFA Champions League] final," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Javier Zanetti enjoyed a night to remember©Getty Images

Italy
Champions Juventus restated their superiority by defeating runners-up AS Roma 1-0, but the real intrigue was to be found elsewhere. There was joy for fifth-placed FC Internazionale Milano, for example, as they sealed their European return thanks in part to a 4-1 win against SS Lazio in Javier Zanetti's final San Siro outing, while the last remaining spot in UEFA Europa League qualifying remains up for grabs after Torino FC, in sixth, could only draw 1-1 with rivals Parma FC. "It's a shame as it would have been nice to get into Europe in our own stadium," said Torino coach Giampiero Ventura. At the bottom, Calcio Catania, Bologna FC and AS Livorno Calcio were all relegated.

France
Paris Saint-Germain set a new Ligue 1 record by amassing 86 points after winning 3-1 at LOSC Lille. "The record meant a lot to me and I wanted my team to win tonight. Not everything was perfect, but I saw a motivated and determined side," enthused coach Laurent Blanc. As for LOSC, their advantage in third place was trimmed to just two points by AS Saint-Étienne, who triumphed 3-1 at FC Nantes. Elsewhere, FC Lorient won 1-0 at Olympique Lyonnais to leave OL's UEFA Europa League hopes in the balance. 

Germany
FC Schalke 04 took their place in next season's UEFA Champions League courtesy of a 4-1 home success against 1. FC Nürnberg, who were relegated as a result alongside TSV Eintracht Braunschweig. "I'm incredibly proud: we're the team that's achieved the best second half to a season this club has ever had," explained coach Jens Keller. Bayer 04 Leverkusen will also compete in Europe's premier club competition after beating SV Werder Bremen 2-1 to clinch fourth spot. As for FC Bayern München, they signed off with a 1-0 defeat of VfB Stuttgart, while Borussia Dortmund dispatched Hertha BSC Berlin 4-0.

Elsewhere
There was silverware aplenty claimed across the continent and not least in Ukraine, where Shakhtar clinched their fifth consecutive league crown, while Aalborg BK secured the title in Denmark. Also with reason to celebrate were FK Rabotnicki, who completed a double by winning the championship in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with FC Banants settling matters in Armenia and FC Dinamo Tbilisi defending their Georgian league title. ŠK Slovan Bratislava were another club to reclaim their league crown, taking their tally to eight in Slovakia, while, in Gibraltar, Lincoln Red Imps FC sealed a 14th domestic double as a dramatic late winner against College Europa FC settled the Rock Cup.