There’s a neat tradition in world soccer called the “guard of honor” that some teams perform when their opponent has already wrapped up the league title with games yet to play. Rather than entering the pitch together, the champions are honored by their opponents forming this honor guard and applauding as they take the field. This is sportsmanship, sure, but it’s also supposed to be a motivational tactic as its also rather humbling for the squad doing the clapping.

Barcelona and Real Madrid share a particularly warm rivalry and one would think that the Catalans did not appreciate congratulating their long-time foes, especially since they went into the game a massive 14 points off the top of the table. That whole ‘guard of honor’ thing didn’t really work so much to rally the troops: Barça got whipped 4-1 to the delight of the Madrid faithful. Oops.

Gotta say that England title race has been the most interesting this year, what with Ars*nal’s fast start followed by a remarkable capitulation down the home stretch to a far superior Man Ure and far more consistent Chelski.

The battles for fourth and fifth place rather fizzled (although Villa could still pinch 5th with some luck this weekend) but the relegation battle has been frankly amazing. Right now, I would have to bet that Reading, Birmingham, and of Derby go down but the scenarios are ridiculous—if Fulham wins, Reading and Birmingham go down. If either Reading or Birmingham win and Fulham draws or loses, Fulham go down. If Birmingham wins and Reading and Fulham draw or lose, those two go down. And so on.

The bottom line: on the last day of the season, these teams are separated by a single point and two of them will get relegated. Fulham, against all odds, now control their own fate. Sunday is going to be unbelievable.