There were no positive cases or other incidents in Lisbon and western Germany as the Champions League and Europa League have been able to complete their season with mini-tournaments amid strict coronavirus rules.
The Champions League final later Sunday between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich marks the end of the European season at a time when other leagues have already started the 2020-21 campaign.
The decision by UEFA to complete the Europa League and Champions League behind closed doors in a changed mini-tournament format in western Germany and Lisbon appears to have been the right one, according to Deutsche press agency (dpa).
"It is still the greatest competition. It is bizarre to play behind closed doors but it is still the Champions League," PSG forward Kylian Mbappe said on the eve of the final.
"It is a unique format which we will all remember because of the big tragedy."
The ruling body had first allowed domestic leagues to complete their action after a long coronavirus-related break as it moved the Euro 2020 tournament to next year and delayed the club events until August.
Initial finals hosts Istanbul and Gdansk will stage the games next year while UEFA chose the new venues as the best possible ones amid the pandemic with just a few weeks of planning needed.
"I am delighted that we found solutions to stage the final rounds of all those competitions," UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said when the scheme, also including the women's Champions League which concludes next week, was unveiled.
Portuguese football federation director Daniel Ribeiro said: "Lisbon has really provided a case study in how full commitment and having everyone pulling in the same direction are the key pillars to the efficiency and effectiveness of any operation."
All 16 teams from the two events were in bubbles as part of a strict security and hygiene concept designed by among others UEFA's chief medical officer Tim Meyer, who had also helped draw up the acclaimed German concept which allowed a Bundesliga restart as early as mid-May.
All delegation members were frequently tested, with the only two positives, concerning Atletico Madrid players Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko, coming before the team arrived in Lisbon.
"It was strange and stressful but such things happen in these times." We were a little nervous ahead of the second test," Atletico captain Jan Oblak said.
Markus Kroesche, the sports director of RB Leipzig who then beat Atletico in the quarters, didn't expect any positives in Lisbon because "the overall conditions are good and the rules are very clear."
Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte agreed, saying: "We are here to follow the rules."
PSG's Marquinhos said it was not easy in the unique lockdown situation. The teams also arrived in very different circumstances, with PSG having played a mere two games since March while Atalanta's season ended less than two weeks before.
"Each time I speak to my kids I tell them that I miss them but that Daddy doesn't want to come home yet. He wants to come back on Monday with a medal," Marquinhos said.
"We're getting positive vibes from those who have stayed in Paris. The fans, our families, all that motivates us to battle in matches."
What the clubs missed most were their fans who apart from some incidents in Paris after Tuesday's semi-final also behaved themselves back at home amid restrictions in all countries.
"This is also for the fans, who deserve to wake up happy every day," Sevilla captain Jesus Navas said after lifting the Europa League trophy on Friday.
Bayern, who like PSG won't have a parade at home in case of victory on Sunday, sent an open letter to their fans ahead of the final.
"Unfortunately you, our loyal fans, will not be able to join us for our Champions League final against Paris St Germain in Portugal on Sunday. We miss you - and we'll give our all to make your and our dream come true," the letter said.
Munich board member sport Hasan Salihamidzic also insisted that a title won under these very different circumstances would mean as much as their previous ones, saying: "Coronavirus cannot reduce the sporting importance of national and international competitions."
The changed format with just one match for the quarters and semis instead of two drew mixed reactions.
Ceferin has already said the mini-tournament format is a one-off owing to the circumstances but Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has suggested it may be an option in a planned Champions League reform from 2024 onwards.
"The biggest thrill for the fans is of course the knock-out system. The better team normally prevails in two matches while anything is possible in one knock-out game," Rummenigge said.
"The most important thing is to find a reform that makes the Champions League even more attractive - and not more expanded."
Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal said "I like the format" - but may have second thoughts after they were crushed 8-2 by Bayern.
