The final of the European Champions League, the Socceroos playing England, and a new coach for Manchester United took up much of sporting fans' attention in recent days.
Real Madrid are champions of Europe.
That's a statement you could have made in ten years other than 2016 and championship number eleven - no other team has won more than seven - came in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Facing intra-city rivals Atletico Madrid in a re-match of the final from two years ago, the 90 minutes of regular time and 30 minutes of extra-time couldn't separate the teams, who were tied at one-all.
In the penalty shootout, Atletico defender Juanfran was the unfortunate man to miss his kick, setting up Real superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to deliver the decisive blow.
Ronaldo's penalty gave Real the shooutout, 5-3, and made coach Zinedine Zidane only the sixth man to win European club football's highest prize as both a player and a coach.
Zidane, only apppointed Real coach in January after Rafael Benitez was sacked, says the triumph is a combination of opportunity and hard work.
"I have dreamt about it and since I am a positive man when the president gave me the opportunity to train such a great club, since I am a positive man and I have such a fantastic team that has worked very hard, the message is this; we have worked, we have fought for it and when you have players of such great talent then you can manage something great like what we have achieved tonight."
With Europe's club championship settled, attention now turns to national teams, 24 of whom will have the opportunity to become European champions at Euro 2016 in France, starting next month.
Australia's national team lost its friendly against England in Sunderland 2-1 and now return home to play Greece in two friendlies, the first in Sydney on Saturday 4 June and the second in Melbourne on June 7.
The matches give players an opportunity to impress coach Ange Postecoglu ahead of the final round of 2018 World Cup qualification, which begins in September.
One player getting a chance is defender Milos Degenek.
Having been plucked from relative obscurity in the German second division by Postecoglu, he made his debut for the Socceroos against England, and says he's looking forward to another chance on home soil.
"I think the two games will be good for the team. And it's a big experience as well- I haven't been in Australia in a while. To play for Australia, in Australia, is a big, big thing. And I'm hoping that I'll get a run there as well, and hopefully show the people there that I'm someone that can always be called up and relied on. And I expect two tough games, but I think we'll go out really well."
It was a quiet weekend in rugby league, just four club games are being played in the NRL.
All eyes are looking towards Sydney on Wednesday night for the first State of Origin match between New South Wales and Queensland.
It was a full round in the AFL, though, and whilst North Melbourne is still top of the table, they're no longer undefeated.
They were handed their first defeat on Friday night by the Sydney Swans, who now sit in second place on the competition ladder, just one win behind them.
Swans forward Dan Hannebery has told Channel Seven his side has rebounded strongly in the last fortnight after a surprise defeat to Richmond to show they're genuine contenders to be champions.
"We were pretty shattered by that loss - (it was) a pretty quiet night. The response against Hawthorn (last week), and again tonight, was really pleasing. And we've got to keep making sure we back up, because if you're off a bit on your game, teams punish you. So, still a long way to go, but we've given ourselves a chance."
And one of Australian sport's longest winning streaks is over.
The Queensland Firebirds won the Trans-Tasman netball championship last season, and were eight wins from eight matches so far this year.
But the New South Wales Swifts made sure they didn't make it nine from nine, inflicting a 58-54 defeat in Sydney - perhaps an omen for New South Wales sporting fans ahead of State of Origin.
Swifts Goal Shooter Susan Pettitt, who starred with 33 goals in the win, has told Fox Sports the win is something good for now and for later on this season as well.
"It is a still a (normal) rounds game. But it is really nice to sit there on the table, equal-first with them (Queensland). So that, obviously, is really handy going up to the finals. So, it is a relief. Nice to get a voodoo off our heads."
In the other all-Australian game, the Melbourne Vixens defeated the Adelaide Thunderbirds, 57-51.
Share
