Partizan: Partizan Belgrade won their 19th title with two games to spare after a 1-1 draw at Zeta Golubovci last weekend. The result put Partizan eight points ahead of city rivals and last season's champions Red Star in the Serbia and Montenegro league. Partizan outclassed the rest of the league with 24 wins and only four draws, a 2-0 cup semi-final loss to Red Star last week being their only defeat in domestic competition.
In Portugal: Benfica beat Sporting 1-0 during the weekend and now need a point from their last match to clinch the Portuguese title for the first time in 11 years. Leaders Benfica have 64 points, three clear of Sporting and Porto. Benfica, who have the advantage of a better record in head-to-heads with Sporting, travel to Boavista in the final round of games. Porto, who still have a chance of retaining their title, play hosts to Academica in the final round.
No Interest: Real Madrid issued a statement yesterday saying they had no interest in signing Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand. The Primera Liga giants said they were responding to reports in the British press that they wanted to recruit the England international.
In Belgium: Club Bruges claimed their 13th Belgian first division title after grabbing a point in a 2-2 draw at home to nearest challengers Anderlecht yesterday. With one game left Bruges are six points clear but it was a rollercoaster afternoon for both sets of supporters as the outgoing champions fought back to level twice. The point for Anderlecht cemented their Champions League participation next term and a domestic double is now within Bruges' grasp as they look forward to a Belgian Cup final date at the end of May.
Cycling: David Zabriskie of the United States won the stage eight 45-km time-trial of the Giro d'Italia from Lamporecchio to Florence yesterday. His CSC team-mate Ivan Basso was second, 17 seconds behind, with Paolo Savoldelli third at 44 seconds. Italy's Danilo Di Luca finished 10th, 1:35 behind Zabriskie, and retained the race leader's pink jersey, nine seconds clear of Basso and 35 ahead of Savoldelli.
In France: Ligue 1 - Lyon vs Bordeaux 5-1.