More championship trophies being awarded means that there are now only four leagues left playing in Europe's top-flight, with 'match point' on the board in two of them. 

by Luke Fisher

By next weekend we will know the champions of each European League, and many eyes now start focusing on the next prize – the World Championship. But before then, we round up the past week in Europe . . .

Austria

In the end, it was an easy four-game series sweep for Red Bull Salzburg that saw them lift the EBEL title, and also browned as Austrian champions. In the league's 360th game this season, Salzburg scored two third-period goals to win 4–3 on Viennese ice, and take the crown. Players from both sides will not have long to rest, though, as many have been selected for Team Austria and immediately join the squad for preparations before the World Championship next month.

Czech Republic

Up 2–0 in the series, Litvinov returned to home ice against Ocelari Trinec knowing that they 'only' needed to win their home games to be crowned champions. However, a shutout 1–0 win put the visitors back in the series, before a shutout from Pavel Francouz helped Litvinov to a 3–0 win in their own barn and a 3-1 series lead. Back to Trinec for game five, and Litvinov were less than a minute away from wrapping up the title before Trinec tied it and eventually won 2–1 in a shootout. The series shifts back to Litvinov for game six on Tuesday, where they'll try once more to wrap up the series, while Trinec go in search of forcing a game seven on Thursday.

Finland

It took two game sevens to decide who would advance to the Liiga finals, with Karpat Oulu vs. JYP Jyvaskyla and Tappara Tampere vs. Lukko Rauma inseparable after six games in each series. However 4–2 wins for both Karpat and Tappara advanced those teams to the finals, while JYP and Lukko were left to contest the bronze medal. Having lost the opening game, Karpat won the next two to go 2–1 ahead in the series. Meanwhile, JYP took the bronze medal with a 2–1 series win over Lukko.

Germany

It's match point to Mannheim in the DEL, as 'die Adler' take a 3–2 series lead over ERC Ingolstadt. Mannheim, who won the regular season so comfortably, had found themselves 2–1 down in the series, but two straight wins now mean they have the trophy in their sights. On Wednesday, Ingolstadt must make home ice count if they want to force a game seven – a win for Mannheim means it's their championship!

Norway

Game seven in the GET Ligaen saw the Stavanger Oilers overcome the Storhamar Dragons 4–2 to take the playoff crown. It was a huge performance from Storhamar, to force a seventh game against a side that dominated the regular season so heavily. They have been awarded a spot in the CHL next season as well though, so have many reasons to be proud despite their final loss. For Stavanger, the playoff win caps a remarkable season, not only winning the trophies on offer in Norway but taking some CHL scalps too.

Sweden

We are locked in at two games all in the SHL final series between the Vaxjo Lakers and Skelleftea AIK, where so far neither side has won on home ice in the opening four games. The teams head to Skelleftea Tuesday night, with the winner in position to lift the trophy on Thursday.