Panathinikos qualify for Champions League

Panathinikos have joined Olympiakos in the champions league next season after beating closest challengers AEK Athens 2-0. Giorgios Karagounis's penalty and Ante Rukavina secured the 2-0 win. AEK Athens qualify for the Europa League. 

Japan win Kirin Cup

Japan have won the Kirin cup with a 4-0 rout of Belgium today. Having beaten Chile by the same scoreline on Wednesday Japn knew only a draw would secure the trophy. 

Taça de Portugal Final

FC Porto completed the league and cup double today with a narrow 0-1 win over Paços Ferreira. Lisandro López scored the only goal on 6 minutes to complete a good year for FC Porto. Paços Ferreira qualify for the Euorpa League next season as a result of reaching the final. 

Serie A Final Day Round-Up:

2008-09 Serie A concluded today with one relegation place still not sorted and the champions league places not sorted either. 

First-of all the Champions league final place was up for grabs between Genoa and Fiorentina. While the 2nd automatic place was also up for grabs between Juventus and AC Milan. Juventus faced Lazio while AC Milan travelled to Fiorentina in what was a tough game. But two goals from Vicenzo Iaquinta secured Juventus a 2-0 win while AC Milan had Kaká and Alexandre Pato to thank for a 2-0 win that secure AC Milan the 2nd place and condemn Fiorentina to Europa League next season. 

Genoa secured 4th place in style by easily beating Lecce 4-1. Bosko Jankovic, Domenico Criscito and a double from Diego Milito securing the win with Simone Tiribocchi getting one back for Lecce. 

Champions Inter Milan were made to work for a final win of the season by Atalanta. Sully Muntari and Esteban Cambiasso were among the scorers with Zlatan Ibrahimovic getting a brace that secured the Golden Boot for him aswell. Cristiano Doni hit a brace with Luca Cigarini also scoring for the visitors. 

The final relegation spot was between Torino and Bologna. Torino knew nothing less than a win would do while Bologna needed a win also. Torino faced a trip to Roma while Bologna were at home to Catania. Torino lost 3-2 while Bologna got a 3-1 win to send Torino into Serie B. 

Elsewhere Udinese finished the season in style by thumping Cagliari 6-2 at the Friuli. Napoli recorded a 3-0 win over Chievo, Palermo were held to a 2-2 draw by Sampdoria and Reggina ended a poor season with a 1-1 draw at home to Siena. 

FC Nürnberg promoted

FC Nürnberg are back in the Bundesliga after a season away after completing a 5-0 aggergrate rout of Energie Cottbus. Having won 3-0 on Thursday Energie Cottbus knew a miracle would have to happen for them to secure their top flight status for next season. But goals from Christian Eigler and Marek Mintal ensured a happy day for FC Nürnberg. 

La Liga Final Day round-up:

The final day of the 2008-09 La Liga season concluded today with the relegation yet to be sorted. Both Recreativo and Numancia were already down going into this weekend's final round of matches but any five teams from Sporting Gijón, Real Betis, Getafe, Osasuna and Real Valladolid could've went down. 

Real Betis hosted Real Valladolid in a game that neither could lose. Real Valladolid took the lead when Marcos Aguirre found the net but Ricardo Oliveira levelled soon after. That result meant that Osasuna had to win to survive. Real Madrid had nothing to play for but took the lead thanks to Gonzalo Higuaín. Jaroslav Plasil levelled before Juanfran gave Osasuna the lead. Real Madrid had Michel Salgado and Klass Huntelaar sent-off. 

Racing Santander had nothing to play for and made Getafe work for the draw. Toni Moral gave Racing the lead before Esteban Granero levelled. Already relegated Recreativo visited El Mollinon looking to send Sporting Gijón down with them. They took the lead mid-way through the 1st half but strike from David Barral and Luis Moran secured Sporting of a top-flight place next season. 

So after that it was Sporting Gijón, Osasuna, Real Valladolid and Getafe who were safe but it was relegation for Real Betis. The team who in 2005-06 were in the champions league were heading for the Segunda. 

Elsewhere in Spain on Sunday Espanyol continued their fantastic form with a 3-0 home win over Málaga with Raúl Tamudo grabbing a hat-trick. Numancia went down with a 0-2 defeat to Sevilla with 2 late goals. Diego Perotti and a Juan Moreno own goal.