Don\'t mention Brexit! England rule Europe with historic sweep

Don't mention Brexit! England rule Europe with historic sweep

AFP  |  Paris 

The has marked its return to prominence on the European stage as stunning comebacks from and Hotspur to make the final was followed by Arsenal and Chelsea booking their place in the final.

For the first time ever all four finalists will come from the same country, prompting concerns on the continent over the Premier League's wealth and status thanks to huge television rights deals.

The English sweep on the field comes, ironically, as the wrestles with Brexit, the painful and protracted withdrawal from the

Only twice before in European -- Cup and 2008 -- had two English teams contested a final.

But now two will take place in the space of four days as Arsenal and off in a derby, 4,500 km (2,800 miles) from home, in on May 29 before and clash in on June 1.

"A full English," ran the headline on the back of British newspaper the Daily Mirror, while Spanish daily AS said: "does not know about Brexit."

Liverpool, last year's runners-up to Real Madrid, ended Spain's five-year grip on the continent's top club prize as they shocked and with a stunning 4-0 win at Anfield to overturn a 3-0 first leg deficit.

drew inspiration from the Reds to also come back from a 3-0 aggregate deficit as led 2-0 on the night in before Lucas Moura's second half hat-trick sent Spurs into their first final.

"We enjoyed a lot watching the tie against They are heroes too and, of course, it is going to be an amazing final between two English teams that for sure we are going to enjoy," said Spurs boss

Despite record broadcast deals bringing in billions from around the globe, English clubs have been out-thought and out-played at Champions League level over the past decade.

However, the now have the world's best managers to go with the best players.

is in his fourth season at and Pochettino near the end of season five at Spurs.

Arsenal's Unai Emery is a having won the competition three times before at and despite being questioned during his first season at Chelsea's is still coveted for jobs in should he wish to return to

"An English lesson," wrote Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The money flowing and the best coaches: that's how the takes it all."

- Top level -

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"Here the level is very high. To get to the final in the League Cup we beat Liverpool and Tottenham who are in final, and in the final we played against the best team in in my opinion, Man City," said Sarri.

"At the moment the Premier League is the best championship in and as a consequence, in the world." Chelsea needed a penalty shoot-out to beat Eintracht Frankfurt in their semi-final, while a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hat-trick took the Gunners to a 4-2 win over for a 7-3 aggregate.

Valencia's defeat ended Spanish participation in both competitions. sides had won nine of the past 10 combined Champions League and Europa League titles.

"had devoured the European elite," wrote daily Marca.

"However the Premier League has rebelled and the final at the Metropolitano will speak English. The same will be the case in where Chelsea and Arsenal will fight for the Europa League."

Barcelona, Juventus and Bayern Munich have dominated at home in recent years, but no club has retained the Premier League title since 2009.

The constant grind of England's top six vying every season for just four Champions League places allows nobody to rest on their laurels, on the pitch or off it in the recruitment process.

"The English have the most money and are now spending it sensibly," said German newspaper

"Ten years ago, it started to go downhill, but now, at the very moment they want to leave the EU, they are back."

However, the English revival has not pleased everyone and may indeed only embolden plans to radically change the format of from 2024 to avoid prolonged Premier League domination.

"The Premier League has the most money, and when four English teams are in the finals, it is not good for football," said and former boss

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Fri, May 10 2019. 18:41 IST