Football Journey

Albania

2026-05-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Albania, Ranked 28^th by UEFA.


 1. Partizani Tiranë         26  16  8  2  48-19  40  Champions
 2. Dinamo Tiranë            26  15  9  2  45-19  39
 3. Vllaznia Shkodër         26  12 10  4  37-18  34
 4. Labinoti Elbasan         26  12  9  5  33-23  33
Besa, in white, vs Universitatea (Craiova, Romania)
 5. Besa Kavajë              26  10 11  5  36-22  31
 6. Skënderbeu Korçë         26  10  8  8  25-19  28
 7. 17 Nëntori Tiranë        26   9  9  8  32-21  27
 8. Lokomotiva Durrës        26   7 12  7  23-22  26
 9. Flamurtari Vlorë         26   3 14  9  16-24  20
10. Tomori Berat             26   5 10 11  24-36  20
11. Luftëtari Gjirokastër    26   6  8 12  21-40  20
12. Traktori Lushnjë         26   4 11 11  15-29  19
13. Besëlidhja Lezhë         26   3 10 13  15-34  16  Relegated
14. Apolonia Fier            26   2  7 17  11-55  11  Relegated

II Division: Championship Playoff

Shkëndija Tiranë  4-2 Studenti Tiranë   

NB: both finalists promoted.

Cup: Dinamo Tiranė 2-0 Besa Kavajė

No photo of the Cup winners seems to exist, but this is from the period. Dinamo in white vs Shkëndija Tiranë, Dinamo won their 7^th Cup, but it was their first after 1961

Ireland the Cup

2026-05-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

Cup: Limerick 0-0 Drogheda

 rep Limerick               3-0 Drogheda

Limerick AFC won their first Cup.

This season was the season of the underdogs, winning for the first titme both title and Cup.

Ireland I Division

2026-05-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ireland. Ranked 27^th by UEFA.
1.Cork Hibernians       26 12 11  3  38-17  35 *
2.Shamrock Rovers       26 14  7  5  49-38  35 *
3.Waterford             26 13  8  5  49-34  34  
4.Bohemians             26 12  9  5  38-25  33
5.Cork Celtic           26 11  9  6  44-27  31
6.Finn Harps            26 13  4  9  54-42  30
7.Limerick              26 10  8  8  36-31  28
8.Shelbourne            26 10  7  9  32-30  27
9.Dundalk               26  7 11  8  37-33  25
10.Athlone Town         26  8  5 13  35-43  21
11.Sligo Rovers         26  7  7 12  36-58  21
12.St.Patrick's Athletic26  5  7 14  34-55  17
13.Drogheda United      26  6  4 16  27-46  16
14.Drumcondra           26  3  5 18  26-56  11

* Championship Play Off - Cork Hibernians 3 Shamrock Rovers 1


Cork Hibernians won their 1^st title! The greatest season.

Norway

2026-05-01T03:10:00.000-07:00

Norway – ranked 26^th by UEFA.


Standing from left: Geir Karlsen, Jan Christiansen, Knut Jenssen, Bjørn Rime, Erling Næss, Kåre Rønnes. 
Crouching: Erling Meirik, Arne Hanssen, Bjørn Wirkola, Tore Lindseth, Terje Mørkved.
Rosenborg         18   9  6  3   25-11   24 Champions Cup
Lyn               18   9  5  4   28-17   23 UEFA Cup
Viking            18   9  4  5   41-20   22 UEFA Cup
Fredrikstad       18   8  6  4   32-23   22 (Cup Winners Cup)
Strømsgodset      18   7  7  4   28-21   21
Hamarkameratene   18   7  7  4   19-15   21
Sarpsborg         18   6  4  8   32-27   16
Hødd              18   3  5 10   17-32   11
Brann             18   3  5 10   14-31   11
-------------------------------------------
Frigg             18   4  1 13   16-55    9 Relegated

First division expanded from 10 to 12 teams.

Cup:

Rosenborg            4-1 Fredrikstad 
Fredrikstad lost the final, but got spot at the Cup Winners Cup.
The winners.
'The Troll Children' won their 3^rd title and 3^rd Cup and their first double.

Denmark

2026-04-28T23:54:00.000-07:00

Denmark – ranked 25^th by UEFA.

Division One, "1. division"
No. Team                G    W    D    L    Gf    Ga    P
----------------------------------------------------------
 1  Vejle B             22   13    3    6    61    40   29
 2  Hvidovre IF         22   10    4    8    44    38   24
 3  BK Frem             22   10    4    8    40    36   24 
 4  KB                  22   10    4    8    49    47   24
 5  Randers Freja       22    9    5    8    40    42   23
 6  Køge Boldklub       22    9    5    8    44    47   23
 7  Brønshøj Boldklub   22   10    2   10    43    52   22
 8  B 1903              22    7    7    8    35    31   21 
 9  B 1901              22    8    4   10    46    47   20
10  B 1909              22    6    7    9    39    40   19
11  AaB                 22    7    4   11    37    47   18 
12  AB                  22    7    3   12    34    45   17
  
Relegated:   AaB and AB
Promoted:    AGF and
 Næstved IF

Cup: B 1909 1-0 BK Frem

B 1909 (Odense) won their 2^nd Cup – but this was the last trophy 'the Miners' won.

Northern Ireland

2026-04-26T23:16:00.000-07:00

Northern Ireland – ranked 24^th by UEFA.


 1. Linfield Belfast           22  18  2  2  58-16  38
-------------------------------------------------------
 2. Glentoran Belfast          22  16  3  3  52-17  35
 3. Distillery Belfast         22  13  4  5  51-29  30
 4. FC Coleraine               22  12  2  8  43-32  26
 5. Ballymena United           22   8  7  7  34-28  23
 6. Ards Newtownards           22   8  5  9  30-37  21
 7. Crusaders Belfast          22   7  6  9  24-45  20
 8. FC Bangor                  22   7  5 10  21-34  19

Back row (L-R): Jimmy Hill, Eamon McLaughlin, Raymond White, Noel Ward, Irwyn McKibbin, Danny Hale, Doug Wood.
Front row (L-R): Declan McDowell, Jim 'Chang' Smith, John Duffy, George O'Halloran, John Rowland.
Mascot: Gary Blake.

 9. Derry City Londonderry     22   7  5 10  45-46  19
10. Glenavon Lurgan            22   5  3 14  39-55  13
11. Cliftonville Belfast       22   3  6 13  26-53  12
12. FC Portadown               22   2  4 16  24-55   8

No promotion or relegation.                                      
                                                               
Champions: Linfield Belfast                                       
Cup Final: Distillery Belfast-Derry City Londonderry 3-0

Distillery captain Peter Rafferty and full back Derek Meldrum parade with the Cup.

Distillery won their 12^th Cup – but their first since 1955-56 and also their last trophy so far. Back row (L-R): Tom Finney, Tommy Brannigan, Alan McCarroll, Roy McDonald, Peter Rafferty, Derek Meldrum, Martin O'Neill
Front row (L-R): Mervyn Law, George Lennox, Jim Savage, Joe Patterson, Peter Watson
Inset: Martin Donnelly

Sweden the Cup

2026-04-23T23:13:02.313-07:00

Cup:
Åtvidabergs FF  - Malmö FF  3-2

No double for Malmo FF.

Atvidabergs FF won second consecutive Cup.

Sweden II Division

2026-04-21T23:46:00.000-07:00

II Division – 4 groups, the winners going to promotional tournament and the top 2 in it were promoted

Norrland

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation

1 Sandvikens IF 22 16 4 2 65 16 +49 36 Playoffs for promotion to Allsvenskan

2 IFK Holmsund 22 14 2 6 52 29 +23 30

3 Domsjö IF 22 13 2 7 41 21 +20 28

4 Brynäs IF 22 8 9 5 43 30 +13 25

5 GIF Sundsvall 22 11 3 8 45 35 +10 25

6 Kubikenborgs IF 22 11 3 8 33 28 +5 25

7 Skellefteå AIK 22 9 7 6 38 35 +3 25

8 Ljusdals IF 22 10 4 8 30 28 +2 24 Relegation to Division 3

9 Sandåkerns SK 22 9 3 10 30 34 −4 21

10 Lycksele IF 22 2 7 13 14 45 −31 11

11 Bodens BK 22 2 3 17 19 65 −46 7

12 Timrå IK 22 3 0 19 22 64 −42 6

Svealand

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation

1 IF Saab 22 14 4 4 44 16 +28 32 Playoffs for promotion

2 IK Sirius 22 14 3 5 45 21 +24 31

3 IK Sleipner 22 11 6 5 42 24 +18 28

4 Nyköpings BIS 22 12 3 7 33 27 +6 27

5 Älvsjö AIK 22 11 2 9 32 31 +1 24

6 IFK Eskilstuna 22 9 5 8 36 31 +5 23

7 IF Brommapojkarna 22 9 5 8 38 36 +2 23

8 IK Brage 22 8 4 10 37 41 −4 20 Relegation

9 Södertälje SK 22 7 5 10 43 43 0 19

10 IFK Stockholm 22 6 5 11 33 40 −7 17

11 IF Vesta 22 3 7 12 22 41 −19 13

12 Råsunda IS 22 2 3 17 12 66 −54 7

Norra Götaland

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation

1 GAIS 22 19 0 3 72 28 +44 38 Playoffs for promotion

2 Jönköpings Södra IF 22 13 2 7 55 39 +16 28

3 IFK Göteborg 22 12 2 8 42 30 +12 26

4 Skövde AIK 22 12 2 8 44 38 +6 26

5 IFK Arvika 22 8 6 8 27 33 −6 22

6 KB Karlskoga 22 8 5 9 36 37 −1 21

7 Skogens IF 22 9 3 10 32 35 −3 21

8 Grimsås IF 22 7 7 8 23 29 −6 21 Relegation

9 Västra Frölunda IF 22 9 2 11 32 38 −6 20

10 Degerfors IF 22 6 6 10 29 37 −8 18

11 Hovås IF 22 3 6 13 28 49 −21 12

12 Karlstads BK 22 4 3 15 19 46 −27 11

Södra Götaland

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation

1 Halmstads BK 22 14 5 3 41 20 +21 33 Playoffs for promotion

2 Perstorps SK 22 10 7 5 60 27 +33 27

3 IFK Malmö 22 10 7 5 28 21 +7 27

4 IS Halmia 22 9 7 6 40 29 +11 25

5 IFK Trelleborg 22 11 2 9 34 31 +3 24

6 Kalmar FF 22 8 7 7 30 32 −2 23

7 Blomstermåla IK 22 8 6 8 32 38 −6 22

8 Varbergs BoIS 22 6 7 9 29 37 −8 19 Relegation

9 Gnosjö IF 22 7 4 11 28 42 −14 18

10 Helsingborgs IF 22 6 6 10 29 44 −15 18

11 Nybro IF 22 5 5 12 33 42 −9 15

12 Gunnarstorps IF 22 4 5 13 28 49 −21 13

Allsvenskan promotion playoffs

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion

1 GAIS 3 2 1 0 5 2 +3 5 Promotion to Allsvenskan

Standing from left: Lars Holmsten, Roland Fransson, Ulf Alexandersson, Jan Ryding, Jerker Jönsson, Ingvar Andersson, Rune Petersson, Bengt-Göran Svensson, Gert Håkansson, Sylve Bengtsson.
Front: Lars-Erik Larsson, Lars-Göran Carlsson, Kenneth Larsson, Lars Nordin, Thomas Eriksson, Lennart Alexandersson, Tommy Södergren.

2 Halmstads BK 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 3

3 Sandvikens IF 3 1 0 2 2 2 0 2

4 IF Saab 3 1 0 2 5 8 −3 2

Sweden I Division

2026-04-19T23:28:00.000-07:00

Sweden. Ranked 23^rd by UEFA. First Division – last 2 relegated.


Malmö FF.....................22  12  6  4   46-22   30  (+24)
Åtvidabergs FF...............22  10  8  4   43-20   28  (+23)
IFK Norrköping...............22   8 10  4   23-15   26  (+ 8)
Djurgårdens IF...............22  11  4  7   32-27   26  (+ 5)
Örgryte IS...................22   6 10  6   29-28   22  (+ 1)
Landskrona BoIS..............22   5 12  5   22-25   22  (- 3)
AIK..........................22   8  6  8   26-38   22  (-12)
Örebro SK....................22   7  7  8   20-25   21  (- 5)
Back row from left:  Stig Svensson, Göran Hagberg, Lars Olof Gunnskog, Björn Andersson, Mats Nordenberg, Karl Axel Blomqvist, Leif Blom, Jan Ivar Bergqvist, Tommy Svensson, Anders Linderoth, Vilmos Varszegi.
Crouching: Leif Franson, Björn Gustavsson, Harry Bild, Tord Ljunggren, John Lindau, Jan Mattsson. 
Östers IF....................22   5 10  7   26-24   20  (+ 2)
Hammarby IF..................22   6  7  9   22-27   19  (- 5)
-------------------------------------------------------------
IF Elfsborg..................22   6  2 14   20-34   14  (-14)
IFK Luleå....................22   4  6 12   20-44   14  (-24)
9^th title for Malmo FF.

Switzerland the Cup

2026-04-18T01:12:00.000-07:00

Cup:

 Servette FC                  2-0 FC Lugano

Servette won their 3^rd Cup, waiting for it since 1949. Standing from left: Desbiolles, Nemeth, Martin, Perroud, Trainer Snella, Wegmann, Burgdorfer, Dörfel, Morgenegg, Masseur Arnold

Front: Olivier, Guyot, Barlie, Tinturier, Bosson, Marchi, Heutschi, Kurz

Switzerland II Division

2026-04-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Nationalliga B. Top 2 promoted. 

1  FC St.-Gallen                   26   18   5   3   55  24   41
2  FC Grenchen                     26   18   3   5   53  21   39
3  Neuchâtel Xamax FC              26   13   5   8   46  32   31
4  FC Mendrisiostar                26    9  10   7   28  27   28
5  Brühl St.-Gallen                26   11   5  10   45  42   27
6  FC Aarau                        26    7  13   6   28  31   27
7  Etoile Carouge FC               26    9   8   9   43  43   26
8  FC Monthey                      26    9   7  10   44  42   25
9  FC Chiasso                      26    6  11   9   24  36   23
10 FC Wettingen                    26    8   6  12   47  48   22
11 Vevey-Sports                    26    8   6  12   27  41   22
12 FC Martigny-Sports              26    8   6  12   26  42   22
13 Young Fellows Zürich            26    7   4  15   30  35   18
14 Urania Genève-Sports            26    3   7  16   23  55   13

Switzerland I Division

2026-04-14T01:04:00.000-07:00

Switzerland – ranked 22^nd.

Nationalliga A

1  FC Basel                        26   18   6   2   67  26   42
2  Grasshopper Club Zürich         26   20   2   4   59  21   42
3  FC Lugano                       26   11   9   6   50  34   31
4  Lausanne-Sports                 26   12   6   8   51  43   30


5  FC Zürich                       26   11   6   9   41  42   28
6  FC Winterthur                   26   11   5  10   36  38   27
7  Servette FC Genève              26    8  10   8   39  36   26
Standing from left: Henri Skiba (Trainer), Willy Allemann, Hansueli Havenith, Lambertus Theunissen, Ulrich Guggisberg, Walter Eichenberger, Willy Vögeli, Peter Anderegg, Tony Hug, Walter Müller, 
Bottom: Jean-Claude Bruttin, Ernst Schmocker, Walter Lehmann, Otto Messerli, Hans Bosshard, Walter Widmer, Christian Winiger, Heinz Rebmann, Charles Kvicinsky
8  BSC Young Boys Bern             26   10   6  10   43  46   26
9  FC La Chaux-de-Fonds            26    9   6  11   46  47   24
10 FC Biel-Bienne                  26    6   9  11   32  43   21
11 FC Luzern                       26    8   4  14   39  48   20     
12 FC Sion                         26    5   9  12   32  46   19
13 FC Fribourg                     26    6   7  13   35  63   19      
14 AC Bellinzona                   26    1   7  18   24  61    9

Championship Playoff:

Grasshoppers- FC Basel 4-3 aet


Relegation Playoff:
------------------
FC Sion-FC Fribourg 1-0  
Grasshopper won their 16^th title, but first one since 1956. It was difficult victory – in decisive extra match and only in overtime – and perhaps a bit unfair, for their finished second in the regular season.

Greece the Cup

2026-04-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

Cup:

Olympiakos        3-1 PAOK

PAOK lost the final for second year in a row.

Standing from left: Kiryakos Koreas, Vasilis Siokos, Takis Sinetopoulos, Yannis Gaitatzis, Michalis Milonas, Athanasius Angelis.

Kneeling: Pampoulis Papadopoulos, Sulis Papas, Nikos Guitsos, Yorgos Delikaris and Petros Karavitis.

Olympiakos won their 14^th Cup.

Greece II Division

2026-04-06T00:05:00.000-07:00

II Division. Group winners (plus the champion of Cyprus) promoted to First Division.

Group A


 1.Panachaiki G.E. Patras           88  34  22-10- 2  56:19 +37 ++
------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.A.O. Koropi Athinas              76  34  17- 8- 9  42:26 +16
 3.G.S.F. Panaitolikos Agrinio      75  34  17- 7-10  46:30 +16
 4.G.S. Kallithea Athina            73  34  14-11- 9  38:27 +11
 5.Ionikos Nikaias                  73  34  16- 7-11  37:28 + 9
 6.A.O. Korinthos                   72  34  13-12- 9  45:30 +15
 7.A.O. Acharnaikos Menidi          68  34  11-13-10  30:28 + 2     (-1 point)
 8.A.S. Anagennisi Artas            67  34  11-11-12  47:48 - 1
 9.A.O. Panarkadikos Tripolis       67  34  11-11-12  37:39 - 2
10.A.O. Kalamata                    66  34  13- 6-15  36:69 - 3
11.A.E. Chania Kritis               65  34  12- 7-15  39:32 + 7
12.G.S. Panaigialios Aigio          65  34  10-12-12  34:39 - 5     (-1 point)
13.P.A.S. Jiannina                  65  34   9-13-12  34:42 - 8
14.Ethnikos Asteras Kaisariani Ath. 65  34  12- 7-15  36:46 -10
15.A.O. Panargiakos Argos           64  34  12- 6-16  43:48 - 5
16.A.O. Pannafpliakos Nafplion      64  34   8-14-12  29:37 - 8
17.A.O. Kerkyras (Corfu)            63  34   8-13-13  28:34 - 6
------------------------------------------------------------------
18.Ergotelis Kritis                 46  34   3- 6-25  15:80 -65 --

Group B


 1.A.O. Trikala                     82  34  20- 8- 6  50:20 +30 ++
------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.Panelefsiniakos Elefsina         82  34  21- 6- 7  56:34 +22
 3.Vizas Megara                     81  34  21- 5- 8  42:26 +16
 4.A.E. Larisas                     79  34  15-15- 4  39:25 +14
 5.Atromitos Peristeri Athina       74  34  17- 6-11  60:35 +25
 6.A.O. Lamia                       71  34  14- 9-11  45:38 + 7
 7.A.P.S. Rodos                     70  34  12-12-10  39:37 + 2
 8.Anajennisis Karditas             68  34  11-12-11  33:29 + 4
 9.A.S. Chalkidas                   65  34   7-17-10  30:32 - 2
10.Aiantas Salaminas                65  34   9-13-12  29:31 - 2
11.Panaspropyrgiakos Aspropyrgos    65  34   7-17-10  38:46 - 8
12.A.E. Levadiakos Livadias         64  34  11- 8-15  34:38 - 4
13.Ikaros Athinas                   64  34  10-10-14  33:40 - 7
14.Atromitos Pireas                 64  34  13- 4-17  47:61 -14
15.Argonaftis Pireas                63  34   8-13-13  35:45 -10
16.G.S. Niki Volou                  62  34   8-12-14  25:40 -15
17.A.P.S. Patras                    58  34   8- 8-18  35:50 -15
------------------------------------------------------------------
18.Aris Agiou Konstantinou          46  34   3- 7-24  26:71 -55 --

Group C

Above: Antonis Pappas, Dimitris Karaiskos, Giannis Tsouknidas, Lakis Kaimakis, Nikos Rigoulias, Takis Synetopoulos. Below: Giorgos Paschalidis, Erotrikitos Valiannatos, Christos Doukas, Vassilis Karaiskos, Christos Diakoumis.

 1.Olympiakos Volos                 83  34  19-11- 4  64:19 +45 ++
------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.A.E. Kastoria                    81  34  18-11- 5  43:15 +28
 3.Apollon Kalamarias Thessaloniki  78  34  18- 8- 8  53:24 +29
 4.A.S. Doxa Dramas                 73  34  14-11- 9  50:36 +14
 5.Makedonikos Neas E. Thessaloniki 67  34  11-11-12  32:25 + 7
 6.F.S. Kozanis                     67  34  13- 7-14  43:42 + 1
 7.A.O. Kilkisiakos Kilkis          67  34   9-15-10  27:33 - 6
 8.Apollonas Kryas Brysis           66  34  10-12-12  49:48 + 1
 9.P.A.O. Panthrakikos Komotini     66  34  10-12-12  35:34 + 1
10.A.O. Edessaikos Edessa           66  34  10-12-12  25:29 - 4
11.A.O. Xanthis                     65  34  10-11-13  27:34 - 7
12.Finikas Polychnis Thessaloniki   65  34  10-11-13  41:50 - 9
13.A.O. Karditsas                   65  34  13- 5-16  35:53 -18
14.A.O. Pandramaikos Drama          64  34  11- 8-15  30:40 -10
15.A.E. Florinas                    64  34  11- 8-15  25:45 -20
16.Anajennisi Jiannitson            63  34   8-13-13  28:37 - 9
17.Aris Ptolemaidas                 63  34  10-10-14  38:38 -10     (-1 point)
------------------------------------------------------------------
18.Ethnikos Alexandroupolis         60  34   6-14-14  22:55 -33 --

Greece I Division

2026-04-03T02:26:00.000-07:00

Greece – ranked 21^st by UEFA. Last 4 relegated. The champion of Cyprus was one of the promoted to the Greek top league – the last year champion EPA Larnaka finished last and relegated.


 1.A.E. Konstantinoupolis          88  34  23- 8- 3   67:18 +49    CHAMPIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------
 2.Panionios G.S. Neas Smirnis     83  34  21- 7- 6   61:34 +27      
Standing from left: Takis Oikonomopoulos, Antonis Antoniadis, Totis Filakouris, Giannis Tomaras, Giorgos Vlachos, Petros Panopoulos, Fragiskos Soourpis, Viktoras Mitropoulos, Aristeidis Kamaras, Vasilis Konstantinou, Ferenc Puskas (Coach) 
Sitting: Anthimos Kapsis, Kostas Hatziandreou, Giorgos Deligiannis, Charis Grammos, Mimis Domazos, Kostas Athanasopoulos, Dimitris Kaligiris, Giorgos Gonos, Kostas Eleftherakis, Takis Dimitrio. 
 3.Panathinaikos A.O. Athinas      82  34  19-10- 5   62:26 +32
 4.Egaleo A.O. Athinas             75  34  15-11- 8   31:24 + 7
 5.A.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis      75  34  13-15- 6   40:30 +10
------------------------------------------------------------------
 6.Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireas        71  34  13-11-10   44:24 +20    CUP WINNER
------------------------------------------------------------------
 7.Apollonas Athinas               71  34  12-13- 9   30:27 + 3
 8.Ethnikos A.O. Piraes            68  34  10-14-10   45:37 + 8             
PAOK – hoops.
 9.P.A.O.K. Thessalonikis          68  34  12-10-12   38:32 + 6
10.A.S. Aris Thessalonikis         67  34  10-13-11   45:39 + 6
11.A.O. Kavalas                    65  34  10-11-13   25:35 -10
12.A.S. Pierikos Katerini          64  34   8-14-12   31:43 -12
13.A.P.E. Fostiras Tavros Athinas  64  34   8-14-12   31:47 -16
14.A.S. Veria                      64  34   9-12-13   28:47 -19
------------------------------------------------------------------
15.A.O. Panserraikos Serres        62  34   9-10-15   32:38 - 6 --
16.Proodeftiki Pireas              58  34   5-14-15   29:52 -23 --
17.O.F.I. Iraklio Kritis           55  34   5-11-18   28:61 -33 --       
18.E.P.A. Larnakas                 43  34   3- 4-27   23:76 -53 --

EPA Larnakas have -1 point.

AEK – the champions: Second row from left: Branko Stankovich (Head Coach), Georgios Kefalidis, Georgios Tanidis, Georgios Karis, Georgios Lavaridis, Liakouris, Stefanos Theodoridis, Psichoyos, Palasidis, Nikos Karapoulidis, Nikos Statopoulos, Hadjimichael (Coach).

Squatting: Stelios Konstantinidis, Panayiotis Ventouris, Xanius, Georgios Karafeskos, Kostas Nikolaidis, Dimitris Papayoanu, Andreas Papaemanuil, Stelios Skevofilakas, Spiros Pomonis, Avramidis and Stelios Seraphidis.

AEK won their 5^th title.

Austria the Cup

2026-04-01T22:31:00.000-07:00

Cup:

Austria                  2-1   Rapid               [aet]

Rapid lost the Vienna's derby at the final – in overtime.

Austria (Vienna) dramatically won the Cup.

Austria

2026-03-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

Austria – ranked 20^th by UEFA.

 
 1.Wacker Innsbruck          30  20  4  6  68-30   44
 2.SV Austria Salzburg       30  18  7  5  64-33   43
 3.SK Rapid                  30  16  9  5  65-36   41
 4.First Vienna FC           30  14  9  7  55-39   37
 5.Linzer ASK                30  15  6  9  53-44   36
 6.VÖEST Linz                30  13 10  7  44-38   36
 7.Admira Energie            30  14  4 12  55-57   32

Standing from left to right: Dr. Burger, Trainer Frühwirth, Gratz, Gombasch, Leutgeb, Kastner, Merz, Casazza, Koncilia P., Hattenberger, Skocik, Koncilia F., Gasteiger, Siber, Dr. Kottek.

Seated: Redl, Jud, Niederstätter, R. Kirchler, Kordesch, Küppers, Rinker, Wizemann, Rusch

 8.SV Wattens                30  12  7 11  50-45   31
 9.Wiener Sport-Club         30  10  9 11  54-40   29
10.FK Austria                30  10  9 11  43-45   29
11.Grazer AK                 30  12  4 14  36-54   28
12.SK Sturm Graz             30  10  4 16  35-42   24
13.1. Simmeringer SC         30   8  7 15  31-55   23
-----------------------------------------------------
14.Schwarz-Weiß Bregenz      30   7  5 18  31-60   19
15.SC Wacker                 30   5  6 19  43-59   16
16.WSG Radenthein            30   4  4 22  31-81   12

Wacker Innsbruck and SV Wattens formed a Spielgemeinschaft at the end
of the season, which meant SV Wattens could not play in the Nationalliga
1971/72.

Second level – there was no Second Division in Austria, but 3 Regional leagues enstead. Their winners were promoted:
Donawitzer SV Alpine Leoben (Mitte)
SC Eisenstadt (Ost)
SK Bischofshofen (West)

France the Cup

2026-03-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

Cup: Stade Rennais UC 1-0 Olympique Lyonnais

Lyon, seemingly stronger than Rennes, lost the final.

Rennes, short on trophies – like Lyon – and having less strong players than their opponents, prevailed in the final.

Rennes – or Stade Rennais, or Le Stade de Rennes – won their second Cup and second altogether trophy.

France II Division

2026-03-26T06:45:00.000-07:00

II Division. Split into 3 groups which champions were promoted to First Division. That's also the season of creation of Paris Saint Germain, a long and confusing story, which, in short, left the season and the promotion officially to Paris FC, but Paris St. Germain claims it in its own history, although the official situation of PSG more or less begins in 1972 and starts from Third Division. Records keep Paris FC in Second and First Divisions between 1970 and 1972, even if the club started the campaign in 1970-71 as Paris Saint Germain. 
(group A)

 1. Olympique Lille            30-44  (56-25)  19  6  5  Promoted    
-------------------------------------------------------
 2. ECAC Chaumont              30-42  (42-19)  17  8  5          
Standing from left: JANIZEWSKI – DEROUCK – MOREL – TEMPET J-JACQUES – CIESELSKI - LANNOY - SOWINSKI - BOCQUILLON
Crouching: VASSEL - GOUDAL - COUSTILLET - ELIE – ZURASZEK - HEDE
 3. RC Lens                    30-41  (52-34)  18  5  7          
 4. US Boulogne                30-39  (54-40)  15  9  6          
 5. Entente                    30-32  (43-31)   9 14  7  2b      
Back row from left: Bonnet, Plet,Gerez,Noleau,Bourgeois, Martin,Gérez,Lévin .
Front: Mallet,Sandor,Fairise, Camara, Gayet,Skornik,Gorce.
 6. US Dunkerque               30-32  (42-36)  11 10  9          
 7. Pierrots                   30-31  (43-45)  12  7 11  Amat    
 8. FC Mulhouse                30-29  (32-37)   9 11 10          
 9. RCFC Besancon              30-28  (40-41)   9 10 11          
10. AC Amiens                  30-28  (39-50)   9 10 11          
Standing from left:  Fievet, Artelesa, Grégoire, Cordier, Formici, Jacques.
First row: Buret, Dumas, Gérard Pleimelding, Rachic, Puciberg.
11. AS Troyes                  30-27  (31-33)   8 11 11          
12. Paris-Joinville            30-27  (36-51)   9  9 12  2b      
13. FC Sochaux Montbeliard II  30-23  (33-48)   8  7 15  Amat    
14. Cambrai                    30-22  (44-52)   6 10 14          
15. AS Creil                   30-21  (32-47)   8  5 17          
-------------------------------------------------------
16. US Merlebach               30-14  (27-57)   2 10 18  Relegated    

From Div1: CS Sedan-Ardennes                                
From Div3: Mouzon and AC Evreux                              
From 2b to 2a: Quevilly Paris, Stade Malherbe Caen              
               and FC Rouen                                      


(group B)



 
1. Paris FC                   30-45  (52-23)  17 11  2  Promoted    
-------------------------------------------------------
 2. FC Rouen                   30-41  (53-25)  16  9  5  2a      
 3. FC Limoges                 30-36  (52-35)  13 10  7          
 4. Etoile Montlucon           30-35  (56-39)  13  9  8          
 5. Stade Brest                30-35  (49-39)  11 13  6          
 6. FC Lorient                 30-34  (44-31)  13  8  9          
 7. Quevilly Paris             30-34  (44-36)  11 12  7  2a      
 8. AAJ Blois                  30-34  (33-35)  13  8  9          
 9. US Le Mans                 30-29  (36-40)   9 11 10          
10. Berrichonne Chateauroux    30-24  (32-40)   6 12 12          
11. Stade Quimper              30-24  (24-45)   4 16 10          
12. Stade Laval                30-23  (30-49)   7  9 14          
13. FC Bourges                 30-23  (28-48)   7  9 14          
14. Stade Poitiers             30-22  (25-44)   4 14 12          
15. Stade Malherbe Caen        30-22  (29-46)   8  6 16  2a      
-------------------------------------------------------
16. AC Le Havre                30-19  (37-49)   6  7 17          

From Div1: US Valenciennes                                  
From Div3: Mantes-la-Ville and ES La Rochelle                
From 2a to 2b: Entente and Paris-Joinville                       


(group C)

 1. AS Monaco                  30-47  (71-23)  22  3  5  Promoted    
-------------------------------------------------------
 2. Olympique Avignon          30-40  (53-25)  17  6  7          
 3. AS Aix-en-Provence         30-38  (50-32)  17  4  9          
 4. AS Cannes                  30-38  (43-28)  14 10  6          
 5. SC Toulon                  30-31  (37-37)  13  5 12          
 6. FC Toulouse                30-30  (36-33)  12  6 12          
Standing from left: Nowacki (gardien rempl) - Emorine (entre les 2, M.Berthommier) - Barek - Dessoly - JC Berthommier.
Crouching: A.Delblouwe -G.Berthommier - J.Duch (rempl) - G .Duch-Chassin - M.Delblouwe - G.Bernard - Dut.
 7. FC Gueugnon                30-30  (40-45)  12  6 12          
 8. Gazelec Ajaccio            30-28  (26-26)   9 10 11          
 9. FC Sete                    30-28  (33-43)  11  6 13          
10. Littoral Montpellier       30-28  (33-43)  11  6 13          
11. La Ciotat                  30-27  (35-45)   9  9 12          
12. US Montelimar              30-27  (31-43)  10  7 13          
13. AC Arles                   30-26  (33-38)   9  8 13          
14. AS Beziers                 30-26  (33-42)  10  6 14          
-------------------------------------------------------
15. FC Grenoble                30-20  (25-45)   7  6 17  Relegated    
16. Olympique Ales             30-16  (29-60)   5  6 19  Relegated    

From Div1: RC Strasbourg                                    
From Div3: CS Cuiseaux-Louhans and FC Martigues

France I Division

2026-03-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

France. Ranked 19^th by UEFA, believe it or not... but French football was not among the leading in Europe at the time and the 5-year point system used by UEFA place them down. Yet, France got 5 teams in the Europen tournaments whether Turkey had only 3, which presented more realistic view of football strenght. Last 3 teams – relegated to II Division.


  1 MARSEILLE     38  23- 9- 6  55   94- 48   
  2 ST ETIENNE    38  20-11- 7  51   83- 45   
 3 NANTES        38  17-12- 9  46   61- 41   
Standing from left: Kabyle, Betton, Landi, Canetti, Auge, Odasso.
Croching: Marcellin, Scherer, Vergnes, Mézy, Bonnet.
  4 NIMES         38  17-11-10  45   68- 54   
Second row from left: TEXIER, DUBOUIL, MADRONNET, PAPIN, MICHELENA, ROSTAGNI.
First row: PETYT, BURDINO, JENSEN, RUITER, WOJCIAK.
  5 BORDEAUX      38  16- 8-14  40   58- 51   
  6 AJACCIO       38  16- 8-14  40   54- 52   
  7 LYON          38  14-12-12  40   51- 51   
  8 METZ          38  13-14-11  40   46- 56   
  9 STADE REIMS   38  14-11-13  39   54- 44   
 10 SOCHAUX       38  14-10-14  38   58- 55   
Back row from left:  Alain Cosnard, Daniel Périault, Bernard Goueffic, René Cédolin, Marcel Aubour, Pierre Garcia
Front: François Simian, Velimir Naumovic, Serge Lenoir, André Guy, Robert Rico
 11 RENNES        38  14- 9-15  37   56- 53    
Standing from left:  Gallina, Bourdel, Lecoeur, Guillou, Fievet, Mouilleron.
Front: Poli, Edwige, Gaidoz, Kovacevic, Roy.
 12 ANGERS        38  15- 5-18  35   61- 66   
 13 NANCY         38  12-11-15  35   45- 56   
 14 NICE          38  12-10-16  34   48- 55   
 15 RED STAR      38  11-11-16  33   46- 65   
 16 ANGOULEME     38  10-12-16  32   30- 47    
 17 BASTIA        38  12- 8-18  32   52- 83   
 18 STRASBOURG    38  13- 5-20  31   54- 63   
Back row from left: KOCIK, LAWNICZAK, DUGUEYPEROUX, JOLIS.
Front: COUSTILLET, HOUEN, JOSEPH, GUINOT, KLOSE
 19 VALENCIENNES  38  10- 9-19  29   47- 59   
 20 SEDAN         38  10- 8-20  28   42- 64   


Olympique Marseille won their 3^rd title – counting only professional league championships. The previous one came in 1947-48 – long wait indeed, but the squad appeared dominant and ready to stay on top long time.

Turkey the Cup

2026-03-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Türkiye Kupası                                                  
Bursaspor - Eskişehirspor               1-0     0-2

Significant final: between neighbour-cities in Anatolia, each having fat chance for first ever trophy. Eskisehirspor already played and lost the Cup final in the previous year. This time they prevailed.

Bursaspor lost the final and had to wait 15 years for winning the Cup.

New winners of the Cup – no mistake this time, after losing the 1969-70 final.

Eskisehirspor crowned the strongest period in their history – 1968-75 – by winning the Cup: the only trophy ever won. They added the Presidential Cup – today's Turkish Supercup – played between the champion and the Cup winner this year as well.

Turkey II Division

2026-03-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

II Division. Group winners promoted to I Division.

Group Red

1	Adanaspor	30	18	5	7	46:23	23	41
2.	Izmirspor	30	17	5	8	45:26	19	39
3.	Orduspor	30	14	8	8	31:21	10	36
4.	Sakaryaspor	30	13	9	8	27:19	8	35
5.	Gençlerbirliği Ankara (A)	30	11	12	7	26:14	12	34
6.	Kayserispor	30	13	7	10	24:18	6	33
7.	Denizlispor	30	15	3	12	32:25	7	33
8.	Trabzonspor	30	11	7	12	28:33	−5	31
9.	Antalyaspor	30	11	7	12	28:33	−5	29
10.	Hatayspor (N)	30	10	8	12	23:33	−10	28
11.	Ankara Güneşspor	30	11	5	14	32:35	−3	27
12.	Manisaspor	30	9	9	12	22:34	−12	27
13.	Afyonspor	30	10	5	15	25:40	−15	25
14.	Bandırmaspor	30	9	7	14	19:34	−15	25
15.	Beykozspor	30	9	4	17	32:46	−14	22
16.	Nazillispor	30	5	5	20	18:45	−27	15

Group White

1.	Giresunspor	30	14	12	4	29:12	17	40
2.	Balıkesirspor	30	16	7	7	33:13	20	39
3.	Şekerspor	30	12	13	5	27:17	10	37
4.	Kütahyaspor	30	10	13	7	29:25	4	33
5.	Sivasspor	30	14	5	11	26:24	2	33
6.	Zonguldakspor	30	15	3	12	32:31	1	33
7.	Aydınspor	30	10	12	8	33:22	11	32
8.	Uşakspor (N)	30	11	7	12	28:27	1	29
9.	Adana Demirspor	30	9	10	11	19:24	−5	28
10.	Toprak Ofisi SK	30	10	7	13	26:27	−1	27
11.	Kocaelispor	30	10	7	13	24:28	−4	27
12.	Feriköy SK	30	8	10	12	20:26	−6	26
13.	Tarsus İdman Yurdu	30	8	10	12	20:37	−17	26
14.	Altınordu Izmir (A)	30	8	9	13	30:32	−2	25
15.	Hacettepe GK	30	7	9	14	20:29	−19	23
16.	Galata SK	30	6	10	14	22:44	−22	22

Turkey I Division

2026-03-15T03:06:00.000-07:00

Turkey – ranked 18^th by UEFA. I Division.

                               G   W   D   L   F   A   P
 
 1 Galatasaray Istanbul       30  17   8   5  51  18  42 ECC
--------------------------------------------------------
 2 Fenerbahçe Istanbul (L)    30  14  13   3  43  23  41 UEFA Cup
--------------------------------------------------------

 
 3 Göztepe İzmir (C)          30  14   9   7  38  21  37
 4 Eskişehirspor              30  10  14   6  29  24  34 ECW
 5 Bursaspor                  30  11  12   7  25  25  34
 6 Beşiktaş Istanbul          30  10  13   7  31  20  33
 7 Istanbulspor               30  12   9   9  29  22  33
 8 Altay İzmir                30  12   8  10  32  22  32


 9 Ankaragücü                 30   7  17   6  18  17  31
10 Samsunspor                 30  10   9  11  29  33  29


11 Mersin İdmanyurdu          30  11   6  13  27  26  28
12 Karşıyaka İzmir (N)        30   8  11  11  15  27  27


13 Boluspor (N)               30   6  12  12  17  31  24
14 Vefa Istanbul              30   4  14  12  28  48  22
--------------------------------------------------------        
15 Ankara Demirspor           30   3  12  15  17  37  18 Relegated
16 PTT Ankara                 30   5   5  20  16  51  15 Relegated



That was the 4^th league title for Galatasaray.

Romania the Cup

2026-03-13T01:51:00.000-07:00

Cup:

Final [Jul 4, stadionul 23 August, București; att: 50.000]
Steaua București                   3-2 Dinamo București         
  [Tătaru 23, 30, 80; Lucescu 2, 58]

Dinamo was unable to win a double.

Steaua saved the season by winning the Cup.

Romania II Division

2026-03-11T01:19:00.000-07:00

 II Division

Serie I

1 ASA Târgu Mureș (C, P) 30 18 6 6 66 27 +39 42 Promovarea în Divizia A

2 Sportul Studențesc 30 18 5 7 42 27 +15 41

3 Metalul Târgoviște 30 16 2 12 37 39 −2 34

4 Progresul Brăila 30 14 5 11 32 26 +6 33

5 FC Galați 30 14 5 11 37 33 +4 33

6 Dunărea Giurgiu 30 13 6 11 29 31 −2 32

7 Metalul București 30 11 9 10 33 22 +11 31

8 Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț 30 12 6 12 31 35 −4 30

9 Portul Constanța 30 11 7 12 23 29 −6 29

10 CFR Pașcani 30 11 6 13 39 41 −2 28

11 ȘN Oltenița 30 11 6 13 28 39 −11 28

12 Știința Bacău 30 10 7 13 37 34 +3 27

13 Poiana Câmpina 30 11 5 14 35 34 +1 27

14 Politehnica Galați 30 12 3 15 32 33 −1 27

15 Metrom Brașov (R) 30 9 9 12 23 30 −7 27

16 Flacăra Moreni (R) 30 1 9 20 20 64 −44 11

Serie II

1 Crișul Oradea (C, P) 30 18 8 4 46 21 +25 44 Promovarea în Divizia A

2 Politehnica Timișoara 30 16 10 4 48 22 +26 42

3 CSM Sibiu 30 14 5 11 48 37 +11 33

4 Corvinul Hunedoara 30 13 7 10 39 30 +9 33

5 Minerul Anina 30 14 3 13 32 33 −1 31

6 Olimpia Satu Mare 30 13 4 13 35 28 +7 30

7 Metalurgistul Cugir 30 11 8 11 30 41 −11 30

8 Olimpia Oradea 30 12 5 13 33 33 0 29

9 CFR Arad 30 11 6 13 23 34 −11 28

10 Minerul Baia Mare 30 12 3 15 44 36 +8 27

11 Gloria Bistrița 30 10 7 13 29 38 −9 27

12 Gaz Metan Mediaș 30 10 7 13 28 41 −13 27

13 Electroputere Craiova 30 8 10 12 28 45 −17 26

14 CSM Reșița 30 10 5 15 36 42 −6 25

15 UM Timișoara (R) 30 7 10 13 26 33 −7 24

16 Vagonul Arad (R) 30 9 6 15 28 39 −11 24