Everything has to end sometime

This past weekend three long standing periods of domination were finally put to bed. One by one over the weekend they fell from Albania to Gibraltar via Croatia. A sense of new life being pumped into these leagues as seen with the celebrations after the final whistles blew. In the cases of Kukesi and Rijeka it was first ever league titles, for Europa FC first title in a lifetime.

Albania:

Kukësi celebrate their maiden championship

source: rtsh.al

On Saturday FK Kukësi dethroned champions for the past six seasons Skënderbeu Korçë. They secured it with a 2-0 home win over the outgoing champions with a brace from Croatian striker Pero Pejić. Those goals took his tally to twenty-six for the still unbeaten champions with one round remaining. The striker signed last summer from Esteghlal of Iran and has now won the Albanian title with three different sides (Kukësi, Skënderbeu Korçë and Dinamo Tirana).
Another key in the success was Enea Koliqi who kept twenty clean sheets along the way. For manager Ernest Gjoka it capped off a terrific first season in charge. For perspective, Kukësi last season were beaten nine times and finished third, sixteen points off the title.

Croatia:

Rijeka are Croatian champions

source: CROPIX

One of Europe's long standing periods of dominance is over after Rijeka maintained their superiority this season with a 4-0 dismantling of Cibalia sparking wild celebrations in the coastal city. The result ended any hope of Dinamo Zagreb extending their league streak to twelve and ensured a first ever league title for Rijeka. It caps a magnificent spell in charge for manager Matjaž Kek, under his stewardship has seen the club win the Croatian Cup and Super Cup along with two Europa League group stage appearances.
A storming run to the title was made possible with four players hitting double figures, Franko Andrijšević (fifteen goals), Alexander Gorgan (twelve goals), Roman Bezjak (eleven goals) and Mario Gavranović (eleven goals).

Gibraltar:

Europa FC celebrate their triumph

source: C Correa Photography

Lincoln Red Imps' run of fourteen consecutive titles is over after Europa FC took full advantage of the opportunity presented to them. A 2-2 draw between Lincoln and Mons Calpe a fortnight ago swung the title race back into Europa FC's hands and they made no mistake, winning both remaining games. It was their first title since 1952 and their seventh overall. Their title victory denied Lincoln what would've been a European record of fifteen titles in succession.
A major contributor to the success was no doubt the thirty-goal haul from Kike Gómez but also both Guillermo Roldán and Liam Walker hit double figures with fifteen strikes each. Manager Juan Gallardo in his first season in charge delivered a fantastic title win that saw Europa FC beaten only twice in twenty seven league games.