Zamalek crowned Nile League champions + Aston Villa secures Europa League title

🏆 Zamalek secured the Nile League title after defeating Ceramica Cleopatra 1-0 last night. The single goal was scored by Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh in the eighth minute of the match. This triumph solidified the White Knights’ position at the top of the championship playoff group with 56 points, securing their 15th title in history and earning them an EGP 5 mn prize.

To the CAF Champions League: Zamalek took the field leading the table by two points over Pyramids, who defeated Smouha 2-1 to join Zamalek in the CAF Champions League next season. On the other hand, Al Ahly was waiting for rivals to drop points — a hope that never materialized, despite achieving an easy 2-0 victory against Al Masry at the Borg El Arab Stadium. This resulted in Al Ahly finishing in third place for the first time in 23 years, settling for a spot in the Confederation Cup.

Another triumph in Europe: Aston Villa secured the Europa League title yesterday after defeating Freiburg 3-0. Villa returned to the continental podium after a 44-year absence, specifically since 1982 when they lifted the European Champion Clubs’ Cup — now the UEFA Champions League.

⚽ The weekend’s top fixtures

Who will claim the French Cup tomorrow? Stade de France hosts the Coupe de France final between Lens and Nice, with kick-off at 10pm tomorrow, Friday. League runners-up Lens look to secure their first-ever cup title after failing in three previous finals, while Nice is enduring a difficult season, having been forced into the relegation playoffs after finishing the league in 16th place. The match will be broadcast on beIN Sports 1.

... And who will grab the German Cup on Saturday? The Olympiastadion in Berlin hosts the DFB-Pokal final between Bayern Munich and Stuttgart as the Bavarian team seeks to return to the cup podium after a six-year absence. The whistle blows at 9pm, and the match will be broadcast on Abu Dhabi Sports.

Matches to follow in the major European leagues:

• Fiorentina vs. Atalanta — Serie A, 9:45pm Friday;
• Bologna vs. Inter Milan — Serie A, 7pm Saturday;
• Lazio vs. Pisa Calcio — Serie A, 9:45pm Saturday;
• Valencia vs. Barcelona — La Liga, 10pm Saturday;
• Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao — La Liga, 10pm Saturday.

At home, Nile League relegation stage fixtures continue today as Wadi Degla faces Zed at 8pm. Tomorrow, El Gouna faces Tala’ea El Gaish at 5pm, while Pharco meets Al Bank Al Ahly at 8pm. Four matches will also take place on Saturday, all kicking off at 8pm, as Modern Sport plays Ghazl El Mahalla, Al Ittihad Al Sakandary faces Ismaily, Haras El Hodoud plays Petrojet, and Kahraba Ismailia meets Al Mokawloon.