Manchester United had to make do with the Premier League title this year as they were outclassed by Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.
Although Wayne Rooney equalised Pedro’s opener before the break, Lionel Messi and David Villa made it 3-1 to the Spanish champions in a dominant performance similar to their victory over United in the 2009 final.
Swansea will face United in the Premier League next season after they beat Reading 4-2 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley thanks mainly to Scott Sinclair’s hat-trick.
Saracens were crowned domestic Rugby Union champions for the first time courtesy of a nail-biting 22-18 win over holders Leicester in a repeat of last year’s play-off final at Twickenham.
The Tigers snatched victory late in that game and looked set to do the same when they laid siege to Saracens’ line for seven minutes after the 80 minutes had elapsed.
However, Sarries’ defence held firm to deny Leicester a try in the game as James Short’s first-half touchdown and Owen Farrell’s perfect goal-kicking display proved decisive.
The domestic season ended when England, minus their Leicester and Saracens players, lost 32-38 to the Barbarians at Twickenham.
In Rugby League Warrington, Wigan and Huddersfield remained level on points at the top of the table thanks to victories over Leeds, Hull KR and Hull FC respectively. There were also wins for St Helens, Bradford, Castleford and Catalan Dragons.
In Cricket, England snatched an astonishing victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Cardiff. Persistent rain had seemed to make a draw the only possibly result, but England dismissed the tourists for 82 on the final afternoon to complete a remarkable innings-and-14-run win.
Earlier, Andrew Strauss’ side had responded to Sri Lanka’s 400 with 496 for five declared courtesy of Jonathan Trott’s 203, Alastair Cook’s 133 and Ian Bell’s 103 not out. The series continues at Lord’s from Friday.
In the County Championship, Lancashire remained top of Division One with a crushing win over Hampshire. Durham were second after they thrashed bottom side Worcestershire and Somerset thumped Yorkshire. Northamptonshire led Division Two after wet weather forced draws in all four games last week.
England’s Luke Donald became world Golf number one with victory at the PGA Championship at Wentworth. Donald beat countryman Lee Westwood at the first hole of a play-off.
Run-away Formula One world championship front-runner Sebastian Vettel extended his lead to 58 points with a first win in the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte Carlo.
