The joy that flowed across north London for Arsenal capped a remarkable European soccer season featuring stunning first-time champions and teams ending decades-long title droughts.
Arsenal fans' wait for another Premier League title ended late Tuesday when second-place Manchester City drew a must-win game at Bournemouth. It had been 22 years since their previous league triumph.
A Season Like No Other
It was a season unlike any other in modern European soccer, sparking euphoric celebrations by fans who hardly believed their success would ever happen again.
Denmark's AGF from Aarhus regained the title after 40 years. In Austria, LASK from Linz claimed glory after 61 years. Both represented the most unlikely championship runs in their nations' histories.
Scandinavia Sets the Trend
First it was Mjällby in Sweden, a 128-year-old club winning its first-ever title. Weeks later, Viking from Norway sealed its first championship in 34 years.
If Mjällby was a Cinderella team that played in the third tier nine years ago, Viking's story marked the revival of a past champion from decline.
Viking toppled Bodø/Glimt, the Arctic Circle team that wrote Champions League lore this year by beating Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan.
Other First-Time Champions
Thun in Switzerland, also 128 years old, claimed its maiden title under coach Mauro Lustrinelli, a former star player who returned to his old club.
Power Shifts Across Europe
Three of Europe's most dominant clubs were dethroned this season:
- Ludogorets — 14 straight titles in Bulgaria ended; new champion is Levski Sofia (first title in 17 years)
- Qarabag — 11 of past 12 titles in Azerbaijan; Sabah won its first title just nine years after the club was created
- Ferencvaros — seven-time defending champion in Hungary; edged by Győri ETO by one point
In Austria, LASK is the new champion, ending Salzburg's decade-long grip before the Red Bull-affiliated club's decline three years ago.
In Romania, Universitatea Craiova won its first title since 1991, with 11-goal top scorer Assad Al Hamlawi from the Palestinian national team.
Near Misses
Two of the best stories just missed a Hollywood ending in France and Scotland.
Lens chased Paris Saint-Germain all the way into May, pursuing a first title since 1998.
Heart of Midlothian suffered the most emotionally crushing end, leading the Scottish Premiership from September until the 87th minute of a showdown at Celtic. It was the third last-day heartbreak for the fan-owned Edinburgh club since its previous title in 1960.
Why This Happened
Why have unheralded teams emerged to compete in the lucrative Champions League?
A more democratic and low-cost access to knowledge and data about running clubs and scouting players has helped, according to Olivier Jarosz, who advises potential investors and teams across Europe.
If so, there could be more unheralded teams lifting trophies in provincial towns next season.