Lille secures dream double
Source: Agencies |
May 23, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MODEST Lille's astonishing fairytale is complete after it claimed its first Ligue 1 title since 1954 as well as a league and cup double with a 2-2 draw at Paris St Germain on Saturday.
Lille has 73 points with one match left and enjoy an unassailable six-point lead over second-placed Olympique Marseille, which also drew 2-2 at home to struggling Valenciennes.
"I'm going to thank our fans because they have been great throughout the season. We wanted to do it tonight, we did it," coach Rudi Garcia, whose team beat PSG in the Cup final on May 14, told Canal Plus.
"They're a fantastic squad and someone has to tell them because they don't realize what they just did. When they will see each other in 15 or 20 years, they will have fantastic memories to share."
Lille, which notably beat defending champion Marseille 2-1 away in March, took control of the league in early December and surrendered top spot just once since in a season fans could only have dreamed about given the club's limited means.
The weekend could get even better for club president Michel Seydoux, a film producer who could be awarded the Palme d'Or at the Cannes festival for 'Pater'.
Marseille is now certain to finish in second place and play in the Champions League next season with third-placed Olympique Lyon poised to grab a spot in the third qualifying round.
Lyon, which was held to a goalless draw at home by Caen, has 61 points and leads fourth-placed Paris St Germain by two points.
In Germany, Schalke 04 won the German Cup for the fifth time on Saturday, crushing second division Duisburg 5-0 to book a Europa League spot as Manuel Neuer lifted the trophy in probably his final game for the club.
Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck twice as Schalke took up its last chance of a European place after a rollercoaster season saw it reach the Champions League semifinals but finish 14th in the Bundesliga.
Lille has 73 points with one match left and enjoy an unassailable six-point lead over second-placed Olympique Marseille, which also drew 2-2 at home to struggling Valenciennes.
"I'm going to thank our fans because they have been great throughout the season. We wanted to do it tonight, we did it," coach Rudi Garcia, whose team beat PSG in the Cup final on May 14, told Canal Plus.
"They're a fantastic squad and someone has to tell them because they don't realize what they just did. When they will see each other in 15 or 20 years, they will have fantastic memories to share."
Lille, which notably beat defending champion Marseille 2-1 away in March, took control of the league in early December and surrendered top spot just once since in a season fans could only have dreamed about given the club's limited means.
The weekend could get even better for club president Michel Seydoux, a film producer who could be awarded the Palme d'Or at the Cannes festival for 'Pater'.
Marseille is now certain to finish in second place and play in the Champions League next season with third-placed Olympique Lyon poised to grab a spot in the third qualifying round.
Lyon, which was held to a goalless draw at home by Caen, has 61 points and leads fourth-placed Paris St Germain by two points.
In Germany, Schalke 04 won the German Cup for the fifth time on Saturday, crushing second division Duisburg 5-0 to book a Europa League spot as Manuel Neuer lifted the trophy in probably his final game for the club.
Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck twice as Schalke took up its last chance of a European place after a rollercoaster season saw it reach the Champions League semifinals but finish 14th in the Bundesliga.
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