The Champions of Europe.

By: chris | June 1st, 2009

Barcelona took continental honors last week but now, with virtually every European league that runs from fall-spring having closed its doors for the season, it’s time to take a look at the titles which may have escaped the eye.

UEFA’s Football Europe section has a table run down for each of the countries which serves under its rule – from England and Italy to Armenia and the Faroe Islands. Many aspiring first tier/second tier/eighth tier leagues run through the summer due to weather – Russia, Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, etc. – so they’re still going strong should you find yourself fiending for a mid-summer Euro fix.

These are the champions of the leagues which run fall-spring. Not all leagues are complete, but all have crowned a king.

Albania: KF Tirana
Andorra: UE Sant Julia
Austria: Red Bull Salzburg
Azerbaijan: FK Baki
Belgium: Standard Liege
Bosnia-Herzegovina: NK Zrinjski
Bulgaria: Levski Sofia
Croatia: Dinamo Zagreb
Cyprus: APOEL FC
Czech Republic: Slavia Praha
Denmark: FC Kobenhavn
England: Manchester United
FYR Macedonia: FK Makedonija GP Skopje
France: Girondins Bordeaux
Georgia: FC WIT Georgia
Germany: VfL Wolfsburg
Greece: Olympiacos
Hungary: Debreceni VSC
Israel: Maccabi Haifa
Italy: Internazionale
Luxembourg: F91 Dudelange
Malta: Hibernians FC
Moldova: FC Sheriff
Montenegro: FK Mogren
Netherlands: AZ Alkmaar
Northern Ireland: Glentoran FC
Poland: Wisla Krakow
Portugal: FC Porto
Romania: FC Unirea Urziceni
The Most Serene Republic of San Marino: SP Tre Fiori
Scotland: Rangers
Serbia: FK Partizan
Slovakia: SK Slovan Bratislava
Slovenia: NK Maribor
Spain: FC Barcelona
Switzerland: FC Zurich
Turkey: Besiktas
Ukraine: Dynamo Kyiv
Wales: Rhyl FC

Now the €50m question: how many actual champions will be taking part in the Champions League group stage next year?

Last year it was 16 of 32 – precisely half for those who struggle with rudimentary maths – a number which might surprise some. Also a number which whittled itself down to 6/16 in the first knockout round. Which would lead us to believe it’s still all about the money.

But a concept which would prove at least partially correct. Looking at that list, how many of those teams – if it were simply about the ‘champions’ – would have a shot at winning the tournament? Half a dozen at the very most? They might do well to cut some of the ’slack’, but it’s still the best tournament around on club level.