In all European countries the second important competition, after the National Leagues, is the Cup. This competition is not only closed to First Division clubs but it is open to clubs playing in Second and Third Division Leagues.

In three of the most important European Football countries – Spain, Germany and Holland – the final match of their respective National Cups have already been played and therefore they already have the winners of their Cup.

So let’s go to check what has already happened in the Cup competitions in Spain, German and Holland.

Spain – After winning in the semi-finals matches to FC Barcelona (4-3 aggregate) and to Racing Santander (4-2 aggregate) respectively, Valencia CF and Getafe CF  played the final match in Madrid on 16^th April where Valencia CF defeated Getafe CF (3-1). Therefore Valencia CF, that has been fighting this season to avoid relegation to Second Division, will play the UEFA Cup competition next season.

Germany – After winning in the semi-finals matches to Wfl Wolfsburg (2-0) and FC Carl Zeiss Jena, last in the 2.Bundesliga (3-0) respectively, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund played the final match in Berlin on 19^th April where Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund (2-1). As winner of the 1.Bundesliga, Bayer Munich will play the Champions League next season whilst  Borussia Dortmund – number 13 in the table – will play the UEFA Cup competition.

Holland – After winning in the semi-finals matches to NAC Breda (2-0) and Heracles Almelo (2-2 p) respectively, Feyenoord Rotterdam and Roda JC Kerkrade played the final match on 27^th April. Feyenoord Rotterdam who defeated Roda JC Kerkrade (2-0) will play the UEFA Cup competition next season.

Champions League semi-finals are served. The big clashes between Liverpool FC and  Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC will select the two teams who will travel to Moscow for the Final on 21^st May. Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson can’t wait to face Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final and is advancing some of his thoughts.
The Catalans beat Schalke 1-0 (2-0 on aggregate) to progress to the semi-final, but they will be without suspended skipper Carlos Puyol for the first-leg tie at the Camp Nou on 23^rd April and Alex Ferguson opinion on this fact after United’s 1-0 win over Rome, which takes the Reds comfortably through 3-0 on aggregate is: “Payola’s is a very good player, so that’s interesting,”
And he adds: “We have the opportunity now to achieve something really special. We want to go to Barcelona and show we’re a good team. Barcelona are a wonderful club but we can’t go there and be negative. If we do that then we’ve got a chance.”
The United manager surprised everyone with his starting line-up against AS Rome, leaving Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes on the bench. But he defended his decision and maintained his faith was repaid by the performance and the final result.
“We have to think about Arsenal on Sunday and you have to look at the big picture at times,” Sir Alex added: “We were going into a game at Old Trafford with a two-goal lead and I have to trust the players in that situation.
“I keep saying it’s the best squad I’ve ever had so if that’s the case then why shouldn’t I play them? I took out Scholes, Rooney and Ronaldo, but Ji-sung Park, Carlos Tevez and Owen Hargreaves were our three best players.”Having said all this, Alex Ferguson as well as all football fans must await the matches to be played at Camp Nou on 23r^d April and at Old Trafford on 29^th April to know the final result although what it is 100% sure is that at least an English team – Liverpool or Chelsea – will be one of the finalists.