Football around the world: Derby delight for Slavia Prague and Swansea, Ribery departs
KI Klaksvik smash records
For most European nations, their seasons are still taking shape, but in the Faroe Islands theirs has come to a close with the dominant force in their Premier League setting a new record points haul.
KI Klaksvik notched up an incredible 25 wins from 27 games - the other two results were draws - scoring 78 goals and conceding just seven. Their final game of the league season was against already relegated Skala, and they showed no mercy putting eight past them.
It is their 20th top flight title and there could yet be more silverware this week as they play in the cup final on October 29th against Vikingur - it’s unlikely many will bet against them.
Slavia supreme in Prague Derby
It has been a testing season for Sparta Prague under new Danish manager, Brian Priske (45). For a team expected to perennially challenge for the Czech league title, five draws and one defeat from their first 12 league games have many wondering whether Priske is another false dawn in the Czech capital.
So, the 304th Prague Derby against free-scoring Slavia Prague was a great way for Sparta to make a statement and show who is boss. However, things quickly unravelled.
In no time at all Slavia, roared on by a partisan crowd, found themselves 3-0 up inside 30 minutes - every time they went forward they looked a threat. Captain Peter Olayinka (26) added a fourth with the last kick of the first half.
The second half was a subdued affair as the hosts took their foot off the gas. What will worry Sparta fans is their side was not able to make any inroads in one of their biggest games of their season. Much to ponder for Priske, but will he be given the time to do it?
Swansea have last laugh against rivals Cardiff
Off to Wales for another big game as rivals Cardiff and Swansea did battle at the Liberty Stadium in the Championship - England’s second tier. These games are always fierce and nothing could sum that up more than a seventh minute red card for a reckless Callum Robinson (27). It opened the door for Swansea with the man advantage as they cantered to a 2-0 win.
Want more red card action in derbies? We’ve got you covered, this time from Brazil where Corinthians took the bragging rights from their Sao Paolo rivals Santos 1-0. In this one, both teams had a man sent off, with Corinthians spending the whole of the second half down to 10 after Yuri Alberto (21) was given his marching orders for two bookable offences - the second of which is very comical.
Mind you, it wasn’t much better for the hosts Santos in Classico Alvinegro. They brought on Lucas Barbosa (21) at half-time - he then was booked five minutes later and sent off 10 minutes after that - the second for colliding with the Corinthians goalkeeper and the referee showing the red card with a flourish.
Roger Guedes (26) was the hero in this game, scoring in the 89th minute for Corinthians with a toe poke past Joao Paulo to silence Estadio Vila Belmiro.
Tears in Salerno as Ribery retires
We finish this week with a look at one of football’s generational talents, Franck Ribery (39), who hung up his boots after a persistent back injury forced him away from the game.
He was given a warm welcome at his Italian home of Salernitana, where emotion spilled from the Frenchman as well as from the supporters inside the ground.
He will be fondly remembered for his dribbling, his finishing and his partnership with Arjen Robben at Bayern Munich.
His list of accomplishments is long and his trophy cabinet full, however the way Ribery left the field on Saturday suggested a desire to continue.
A career cut just short, but one that will be celebrated across Europe.