Error code: %{errorCode}
UEFA Europa League: Irrespective of result, final marks last hurrah of Big Six dominance
There is undoubtedly a darkly comedic undercurrent to this year's UEFA Europa League Final, held against the late-spring sundown of a balmy Basque Country evening.
Europe's secondary showpiece final has frequently found itself contested by some of the continent's most storied teams, but seldom have both sides been such major draws.
Furthermore, while it has entertained its share of sides suffering subpar domestic seasons, it has arguably never featured two teams so utterly bereft of home form too.
Yet as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United limber up in an attempt to save their seasons at this last hurdle, their story forms part of the larger picture of a sea change.
For decades, the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup - the domestic treble of competitions available to English clubs - have been the domain of just a few select clubs.
There are notable exceptions, of course - Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City were title winners two decades apart, and the latter have knockout glory to their name too.
But for the best part of a quarter-century, English football has been dominated by the same half-dozen clubs - the Big Six, as they have been colloquially known at large.
(Getty Images)
United and Spurs, alongside Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, have swept the majority of domestic honours between them since the turn of millennium.
Between them, they have frequently contended the vast majority of knockout finals too, secured those crucial European berths, and generally flown the Premier League flag.
Irrespective of the result at San Mames Stadium for Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou however, there is a chance this match could represent the last big hurrah for their era.
For the first time since the 2012-2013 season, only one of the three major domestic honours has been sealed by a Big Six outfit, with Liverpool storming to the top-flight title.
Two more could take continental honours too, with either United or Spurs assured of silverware and Chelsea well-fancied against Real Betis in the Europa Conference League.
- Read more | Teddy Sheringham identifies the key players for Man Utd and Spurs in Europa League final
But historic success for Newcastle United in the EFL Cup and Crystal Palace in the FA Cup has done more than just bring joy to long-suffering fans starved of a major trophy.
It has exposed the narrowed margins between a slew of heavyweights that have run away from the competition for generations and the chasing pack now hunting them down.
Picture this; both Newcastle and Palace will be in Europe next season. So will Aston Villa, after their Champions League exploits this term. Nottingham Forest will be there too.
One of United or Spurs won't be. Their fixture half a continent away will not only deliver them silverware but salvation with a place in the biggest club competition of them all.
At the same time, their success in Europe this term - United have reached the final without a loss to their name - further underlines the Premier League's powerhouse status.
PA
If it seems peculiar that a pair of sides mired in the bottom half of their domestic division are contesting a European final, what does it say about the competition they have faced?
As the gap between the Big Six and the Premier League shrinks, the gulf between the Premier League and the rest of Europe's powerhouses seemingly continues to grow.
The money is undoubtedly a factor, as is the attraction for overseas stars to ply their trade in the biggest playground of them all, against other superstar talents and names.
Yet, even as this year's Champions League Final pits together two continental heavyweights, there is still the sense that only a handful can still compete with merrie olde England.
The Europa League Final may bring the curtain down on the Big Six era for good - but if it does so, it might just be a prelude to a broader dominance both home and away.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZN
Sign up now for a free DAZN account to watch the Club World Cup, starting on Saturday, June 14.
Or, if you are already a DAZN subscriber or Freemium member, then the tournament is part of your current membership.
A DAZN Freemium account costs nothing and provides access to action across football, boxing, NFL, golf, motorsports, basketball, padel and more*.
Free TV Channels include Matchroom Boxing, PGA Tour, PowerSports World, Billiard TV and Padel Time TV*.
You only need an email address to register for a Freemium account, with no hidden costs.
Join now to watch the FIFA Club World Cup and other sport for free on DAZN. Sign up here.
*Sports and channels dependant on country of residence
More Club World Cup
- 2025 FIFA Club World Cup fixtures, groups, schedule, venues
- The wonder kids to watch out for at FIFA Club World Cup
- Ten legends to star at FIFA Club World Cup
- FIFA Club World Cup: The continental champions looking for world glory
- A guide to the 12 US Club World Cup venues
- How to watch the Club World Cup on DAZN
