El Clásico for Super Cup and Athletic play in Europa League

As the whistle blew on the Copa del Rey 2017 final, and Barcelona were crowned champions after overcoming Alavés 3-1, we learned that next season's Spanish Super Cup would be between the Catalans and rivals Real Madrid and that Athletic Bilbao would take the third a final Europa League place.

Spanish Super Cup 2017 aka El Clásico

Luis Enrique's team had pushed Real Madrid until the final day of the Liga season but came up short. Although there were some moments to challenge their nerve in the final of the Copa del Rey, the team in blaugrana were worthy winners, and their talisman, Lionel Messi, at times was unplayable with scintillating skills and drive. The manager says his goodbye's to the club, but the team he leaves behind already knows one of its early confrontations.

Now a new manager takes over the reigns, almost certainly that will be Ernesto Valverde, and in August will have a chance to test out any tactics and new players against their most bitter of rivals, Real Madrid, in the Spanish Super Cup played between the winners of the Copa del Rey and the league champions. The two-legged affair is likely to take place on the 12 or 13 August at the Camp Nou and then a return at the Bernabéu on the 15 or 16 August. This is still to be confirmed but it will definitely be over before the start of the new season on 18 August.

El Clásico matches usually get plenty of attention and with three before LaLiga begins - a friendly in Miami at the end of July has already been agreed - it will be even more heightened.

Athletic Bilbao in Europa League

It wasn't only Barcelona celebrating their result in the Calderón: Athletic were confirmed to take the third Europa League place for the next year's competition thanks to their seventh place finish in the league. Had Barcelona lost the final, their opponents Alavés would have taken their seat in the secondary Uefa competition.