A major revolution in Europe: 'Arsenal after 22 years, LASK Linz at the top after 61 years'

European football has been the scene of breathtaking championship races in many countries this season, as well as comeback stories of clubs that have been longing for the trophy for many years. Established clubs, led by Arsenal in the Premier League, have overcome their ill-fated fortunes.

Football fans across Europe have witnessed a historic season where league dominations were shattered. While the football world met brand new champions in Switzerland and Azerbaijan, decades-long championship droughts officially came to an end in England, Austria, Denmark, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.

''61-YEAR NIGHTMARE ENDS, LASK STRIKES SALZBURG''

LASK Linz, one of the teams that had been waiting the longest for a championship, achieved a true revolution in Austrian football. Having performed brilliantly in a league where Red Bull Salzburg had held a monopoly for many years, LASK Linz managed to reach the happy ending after exactly 61 years. With this result, the Austrian representative added the second championship in its history to its trophy cabinet.

Another team that ended its longing was AGF Aarhus from Denmark. Finishing 4 points ahead of its closest rival Midtjylland, Aarhus ended its 40-year championship drought. The Romanian representative Universitatea Craiova, on the other hand, returned to the top of the country after 35 years.

''ARSENAL RETURNED AFTER 22 YEARS''

In the English Premier League, a success story that will go down in football history was written. Arsenal, which last experienced an "undefeated" championship in the 2003-2004 season under the leadership of legendary French manager Arsene Wenger, managed to reach the trophy this time with Mikel Arteta after exactly 22 years.

The North London team, which had to watch its arch-rivals' championships during this long waiting period, ended the Manchester City and Liverpool dynasties and brought the trophy back to the capital. Moreover, Arsenal is on the verge of making history not only in the league but also in the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners, who lost their only Champions League final in history to Barcelona in 2006, will complete a double if they defeat Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on Saturday, May 28.

''DYNASTIES COLLAPSED IN EASTERN EUROPE''

Levski Sofia, which ended Ludogorets Razgrad's 14-year terrible hegemony in the league in Bulgaria, declared its first championship in 17 years and its 27th in total.

A similar scenario was written in Hungary, where Ferencvaros had been champion 7 times in a row. Gyori ETO left its arch-rival behind by a one-point difference, making its fans sing championship songs after 13 years.

''THUN AND SABAH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR HISTORY''

This year in Europe, not only did longings end, but new pages of history were also opened. Thun in Switzerland and Sabah in Azerbaijan embraced the first league championships in their club histories. Thun, which has a deep-rooted 128-year history, became champion 5 points ahead of St. Gallen, while the Azerbaijani representative Sabah, founded just 9 years ago, broke Qarabag's 4-year championship streak and wrote its name in golden letters.

News Source: 12punto