Salute the Champions

We await the inevitable…

It all comes down to this weekend for the big three European leagues, with the climatic (or is it anti-climatic?) crowning of their champions taking place Saturday and Sunday.

Premier League

"It's okay Arse, there's always next season"

Following yesterday’s come from behind victory against Wigan, Manchester United will likely clinch its third straight league title on Saturday at Old Trafford against a ravaged Arsenal side. Having thrashed the Gunners 10 days ago in the Champions League semis, the prospects look good for another Red Devils celebration come Saturday evening.

The gods must not be smiling on the Gunners these days – a heartbreaking FA Cup semi-final loss to London rivals Chelsea at Wembley a few weeks back, followed by the aforementioned defeat to Man Utd at home, as well as this past Sunday’s embarrassing home loss to those same Blues has left Arsenal fans pining for the summer transfer season.

And now Arsene‘s boys will in all likelihood have to watch Sir Alex‘s “reigning, defending, and undisputed” champions raise the trophy in triumph yet again, but this time in person.

Bottom line, by Saturday afternoon, Ricky Hatton‘s devastating loss to Manny Pacquiao will be completely forgotten by the Manchester faithful – and yes we know he is a Man City fan.

Serie A

"Go on, give him a medal. I know he didn't play much."

On Sunday, Inter look like collecting their fourth straight league title with a win over Siena, though if this Siena team has as much fight in it as the New York based college basketball squad that almost beat Louisville in the second round of this year’s NCAA tournament, Mourinho will be sweating it out for 90 plus minutes.

Then again, should AC Milan lose at Udinese on Saturday, Jose will have added an Italian championship to his English and Portuguese titles even before the Siena match kicks off.

We expect that exiting AC boss Carlo Ancelotti (there is no denying now that the club owner, and national prime minister lest we forget, reportedly has called Carlo out) will make sure the red and black achieve at least a draw however, so Inter‘s celebration will probably have to wait until Sunday evening.

The Special One‘s target next term will be to win two (if not four) knockout stage rounds in the Champs League for Inter before he moves on to Spain for the 2010/11 season – you heard it here first.

However, between Sunday night and the start of the next Champions League tourney in the fall, Inter fans (and players, staff, management) can enjoy being Campioni yet again.

La Liga

Eto'o and Henry salute the champions

Finally, speaking of La Liga, Barcelona travel to Mallorca on Sunday to claim their first league title in three years.

Two guarantees: Samuel Eto’o scores at least once against his former mates (see current scoring standings) and…Eric Abidal picks up no red cards (see last two matches vs. Chelsea and vs. Villareal and subsequent bans).

Its been a truly remarkable year for the Barca front line of Henry, Messi, Sammy Eto’o, plus midfield standout Spaniards Iniesta and Xavi, but a shout must go out for rivals Real Madrid too.

Dismissed by most critics and fans as early as December, captain Raul‘s men fought back courageously until the knockout blow that was the 6-2 debacle at the Santiago Bernabeu against Barca last week.

In fact, Real‘s tremendous run made the Spanish league the most exciting of the year, Liverpool‘s proximity to Man United in the table notwithstanding.

ps

So, with all of us lamenting the end of the season, let us remember that next year’s European slots are far from decided (unless you’re in England – go Big 4!) and that the preeminent annual professional sporting event (not just football, but all sports) has yet to occur this year – rejoice, Rome is but two weeks away…

- We at Footy Factor would like to thank JR in NYC for submitting this article.