Lille secure first French title since 1954 | inside World Soccer

Lille secure first French title since 1954

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Lille won Ligue 1 for the first time since 1954 and secured the double in the process despite being held to a 2-2 draw at Paris Saint-Germain.

Lille players celebrate in the bath after claiming their first Ligue 1 title since 1954
Lille players celebrate in the bath after claiming their first Ligue 1 title since 1954

Photo: Getty Images

Les Dogues have 73 points with one match left and enjoy an unassailable six-point lead over defending champion Olympique Marseille, who was held to a 2-2 home draw by Valenciennes.

It also completed a famous double - the second in their history - following last weekend's 1-0 victory over PSG in the final of Coupe de France.

"There is a lot of pride. There was a lot of work from the players," Lille coach Rudi Garcia told French TV channel Canal+.

"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."

"I'm proud to be here," said Lille goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau, a league winner with Nantes in 2001. "It's so great to experience a season like that."

Lille 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.

"Champions always look good because they are the most regular through the season," Marseille boss Didier Deschamps told Canal+.

"Congratulations to Lille, their players, their coach, their staff. There's only one thing to say: bravo."

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