European football round-up: Ajax and Fenerbache crowned champions

European football round-up: Ajax and Fenerbache crowned champions
By Euronews
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We begin this edition of ‘The Corner’ with celebrations in the Netherlands and Turkey where Ajax and Fenerbahce enjoyed title winning weekends.

Ajax won their 33rd domestic league crown and 4th consecutive, thanks to a draw against Heracles.

Lasse Schone fired Ajax into the lead on Sunday after just 13 minutes when his powerful long-range free kick went in via the underside of the crossbar.

Simon Cziommer levelled matters in equally stunning fashion in the 22nd minute for Heracles.

It ensured a nervy finish for coach Frank De Boer and his men but they held on for the all important point to seal the crown.

Other clubs have won four straight titles in the Dutch topflight but 43-year-old De Boer becomes the first coach to achieve the feat and it was the perfect way to respond to their humiliating 5-1 defeat against Zwolle in the Dutch Cup final last week.

Fenerbache seal 19th league crown

Fenerbahce also locked down the league title with three matches to go.

The Canaries celebrated their 19th Turkish league honours, equaling Galatasaray’s record.

A goalless draw against Rizespor was enough for Yanal’s team to crack open the champagne.

The match was played in a stadium full of women and children younger than 12 years old due to adult males being banned following crowd trouble.

But there was no such ban on the streets of Istanbul as thousands of fans gathered to celebrate their club’s first title in three years.

It was a bitter-sweet party, though, as Fenerbahce won’t participate in next seaon’s Champions League as they are banned by UEFA for their recent match-fixing scandal.

Premier League title race wide open

With only two matches to go, the Premier League title race was blown wide open.

At Anfield Chelsea halted Liverpool’s 11 match winning streak.

The Reds dominated possession but a defensive-minded Blues frustrated their hosts and thanks to goals from Demba Ba and Willian Jose Mourinho’s men could have just dashed Liverpool’s hopes of a first topflight title in 24 years.

Manchester City appear to be in pole position now.

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After their 2-0 win against Crystal Palace, Manuel Pellegrini’s side are on 77 points, three points off the top but with a vital game in hand.

If City and Liverpool win all their remaining fixtures they’ll both reach 86 points, but the Citizens at the moment boast a superior goal difference which could prove to be the decider.

After a disastrous season Manchester United are well out of the title race and Champions league football next term, but are now playing for honour and a place in the Europa League.

Ryan Giggs, who replaced the sacked David Moyes, began his managerial career in style with a 4-0 against Norwich as the Red Devils treat the season run-in as damage limitation.

Atletico continue march towards title

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It’s not quite over yet in Spain’s La Liga, but almost.

Real Madrid still harbour hopes of winning the title thanks to a 4-0 victory over Osasuna, on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It was the 26th win this term for Cristiano Ronaldo and company who on Tuesday play holders Bayern Munich for a place in the Champions League final.

On Sunday Atletico Madrid responded to Real Madrid’s win with victory at Valencia.

Two more wins before their third and final match at Barcelona will secure their first league title in 19 years.

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Barca beat Villareal but the game was overshadowed by an incident involving Dani Alves.

The Brazilian responded perfectly to a racist gesture by a fan who threw a banana onto the pitch as he was taking a corner.

What is seen as a victory for Alves, Barca and the fight against racism in football the defender peeled it and took a bite.

The Catalans are second in the table two clear of Real and four behind Atletico, although Real play Valladolid next week for their match in hand.

Pana enjoy Greek Cup success

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Panathinaikos won their 18th Greek Cup title, beating PAOK in the final. Marcus Berg hit a hat-trick to help his side to a 4-1 win.

Ultra fans threatened to ruin the day before a ball had been kicked following pre-match clashes with police while clashes between fan groups and police also continued inside the the Athens Olympic Stadium.

Reports suggest at least 34 people were arrested for possession of fireworks, wooden and metal poles, and drugs.

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