Levski Sofia's Title Among Season's Biggest Upsets

  • May 19, 2026 | 09:55

The Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo has highlighted Levski Sofia's Bulgarian league title as one of the most surprising achievements of the season, drawing parallels with Leicester City's 2016 victory. The triumph of the "foxes" in 2016 is remembered as one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

PSG President Congratulates Levski and Nasko Sirakov on the Title

In 2016, the underdog Leicester City faced off against the big six teams of Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham, who had significantly better financial resources. Such a success is unlikely to be repeated, yet every season sees teams follow in their footsteps, achieving the greatest successes in their history against all predictions. These are the great heroes of the season, which is coming to an end. On Saturday, Hearts could have been added to the list, but in the final minutes, they lost a direct duel against Celtic in the final round (1:3) and failed to win their first Scottish Premier League title since 1960, commented the Spanish publication.

Here are the "Leicesters" of the season:

#1. FC Thun
Champions after promotion to the elite

FC Thun, named after a small town with just over 40,000 inhabitants in the foothills of the Alps, secured its first title in the Swiss Super League in its 128-year history on May 3, three matches before the end of the season. This achievement is even more remarkable given that they triumphed just one season after being promoted to the top tier.

#2. Mjällby
Historic feat

Unlike the major European leagues, the Allsvenskan (Swedish League) is played within a calendar year. In October, Mjällby, founded in 1939, entered history by winning its first title three matches before the end of the season, thanks to a 2-0 victory over mighty Gothenburg. This unique moment came a decade after the club, based in a town with just 1,500 inhabitants, was on the brink of relegation to the fourth division.

#3. LASK Linz
Second title, second double

This week, LASK, short for Linzer Athletik Sport Club, experienced one of the greatest days in its 117-year history by defeating Austria Wien 3-0 and claiming its second title in the Bundesliga, finishing two points ahead of the previous two-time champions, SK Sturm Graz. The club from Linz had ruled only once before, way back in 1965. It took 61 years for them to reclaim their former glory. Additionally, just like in 1965, LASK finished the season with a double.

#4. FC Midtjylland
40 years of waiting

Founded over 145 years ago, FC Midtjylland had already been crowned Danish champion five times. On May 10, the team ended a 40-year drought dating back to 1986 with a 2-0 victory over Brøndby.

#5. Viking
Photo finish with Bodø/Glimt

Viking, based in the small town of Stavanger, waited 34 years to reign in the Norwegian Eliteserien. Their tenth title came on November 30, 2025, in the final round of the championship after a thrilling battle with Bodø/Glimt, which ended just one point behind.

#6. Levski Sofia
Spaniard ends drought

A Spanish coach achieved success in Bulgaria. On May 3, with a 1-0 victory over CSKA 1948, four matches before the end of the season, Julio Velásquez from Salamanca led the historic club Levski Sofia to its first title in the First League since a 17-year drought, ending Ludogorets' 14-year winning streak.