Soccer European round-up: SPANISH PRIMERA LIGA: Barcelona players were treated to a rapturous reception by close to one million jubilant fans as they toured the city in an open-top bus yesterday to celebrate their victory in the Spanish title race.
Local authorities estimated around 900,000 had taken to the streets to welcome the team back to Barcelona after they clinched the title with a 1-1 draw at Levante on Saturday.
It was their first league title in six years, and came from a second-half header from leading striker Samuel Eto'o against relegation-threatened Levante.
With second-placed Real Madrid earlier held to a 2-2 draw in an action-packed match at Sevilla, Barcelona have an unassailable six-point lead at the top of the table.
Even if the Catalans lose their remaining two matches they cannot be caught by their arch-rivals because of their better head-to-head record in meetings between the two this season.
But a nervous-looking Barca were made to fight every inch of the way for the point that clinched their 17th league title by their lowly opponents, who needed the win to stay above the drop zone.
Tempers had flared in the closing minutes of the first half, players from both sides exchanging a series of reckless challenges in midfield, and Ronaldinho was fortunate to stay on the pitch after appearing to headbutt a Levante defender in the area after a penalty appeal.
Earlier on Saturday it had looked as though Barca might be crowned champions without having to kick a ball after Real Madrid fell behind when Sevilla full back Sergio Ramos cracked a 30-metre piledriver past Iker Casillas in the 20th minute.
But Real were thrown a lifeline before half-time when Sevilla centre back Javi Navarro headed into his net as he tried to cut out a Roberto Carlos cross.
Buoyed by the goal, Real lifted their game in the second period and a stunning, 20-metre strike from Zinedine Zidane put the visitors 2-1 up 16 minutes from time.
Third-placed Sevilla, fighting for a place in next season's Champions League, laid siege to the Real area and grabbed a deserved equaliser when striker Julio Baptista headed home with two minutes to go to end Real's seven-match winning run.
Villarreal moved up to third place after a Juan Roman Riquelme penalty secured them a 1-0 win at home to Albacete that also sent their opponents down into the second division.
ITALIAN SERIE A: Juventus moved one win away from the Serie A title after they beat Parma 2-0 yesterday while rivals and defending champions AC Milan were held 2-2 at Lecce.
The results mean Juventus are five points clear with two games remaining and Fabio Capello's side could claim their 28th title with a victory at Livorno next Sunday.
Milan are at home to Palermo on Friday, as they prepare for their Champions League final against Liverpool in Istanbul on May 25th, and if they fail to win, the title will go to Juventus.
PORTUGAL: Benfica beat Sporting 1-0 on Saturday 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 play hosts to Academica in the final round.
