Arsenal secured the Premier League title late Tuesday when second-place Manchester City drew a must-win game at Bournemouth, ending a 22-year wait for another league championship.
A Season of Upsets Across Europe
It was a season unlike any other in modern European soccer. From stunning first-time champions to teams ending decades-long droughts, the campaign sparked euphoric celebrations by fans who hardly believed their success would ever happen.
The wave of unexpected winners began in October with first-time champions including 128-year-old club Thun in Switzerland and 87-year-old Mjällby in Sweden.
Key facts: First-time champions appeared across the continent, while established powerhouses fell in Germany, Italy, and Spain, marking a historic shift in European football hierarchy.
Scandinavian Wave Sets the Trend
First it was Mjällby, then weeks later Viking sealed its first Norwegian title for 34 years. That was in November, when Nordic soccer seasons end to avoid midwinter weather.
If Mjällby was a Cinderella team that played in the third tier nine years earlier, Viking's story was the revival of a past champion from decline.
Viking toppled the new power in Norway, Bodø/Glimt, the Arctic Circle team that itself wrote Champions League lore this year by beating Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan.
Denmark Makes It a Hat Trick
AGF from Aarhus regaled the title in Denmark this month, ending a 40-year wait. The club was guided to success by coach Jakob Poulsen, similar to Mauro Lustrinelli at Thun—a former star player who came back to his old club.
Giants Fall Across Europe
Three of the most dominant clubs in European leagues were dethroned this season:
- Ludogorets won 14 straight titles in Bulgaria—now surpassed by Levski Sofia, whose previous title was 17 years ago
- Qarabag won 11 of the past 12 in Azerbaijan—Sabah won its first title just nine years after the club was created
- Ferencvaros was a seven-time defending champion in Hungary—edged by one point by Győri ETO
In Austria, LASK from Linz claimed their first title in 61 years, breaking Salzburg's decade-long grip before the Red Bull-affiliated club went into decline three years ago.
Near Fairy Tale Endings
Two of the best stories narrowly missed a Hollywood ending.
In France, Lens chased the financial juggernaut of Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain all the way into May, pursuing a first title since 1998.
In Scotland, Heart of Midlothian suffered the most emotionally crushing end—leading the Scottish Premiership standings from September until the 87th minute of a showdown at Celtic. It was the third last-day heartbreak for the low-budget, fan-owned Edinburgh club since its previous title in 1960.
What Fuels the New Order?
Why has this happened for unheralded teams that could now play in the elite and lucrative Champions League next season?
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 small provincial towns next season.