jose - soccer

For three weeks, Girondins de Bordeaux and Olympique de Marseille have known that the Ligue 1 trophy would reside either in the Stade Chaban Delmas or the Stade Velodrome for the coming 12 months. The surprisingly Lyon-free conclusion to the end of the season culminated on Saturday evening, with Bordeaux in need of only a point to claim the title for the first time in a decade. Any slip up, though, could allow OM to their first success since 1992.

Les Girondins, who travelled to relegation threatened Caen, had been involved in a similar scenario last season, however, the boot was on the other foot - Laurent Blanc’s men needed Auxerre to upset Lyon. An early OL blitz little over 12 months ago left Bordeaux’s hopes shattered as early as the first quarter of an hour.

Coming off the back of an 11 match winning run in all competitions, Bordeaux’s confidence was burgeoning. However, the remarkable streak of success has been achieved through tenacity and mental strength rather than overwhelming brilliance, although Yoann Gourcuff had sprinkled a little magic over the course of their remarkable sequence, and they were still scoreless at half-time in the Stade Michel d’Ornano. Marseille, playing at home to Stade Rennais, still had hope.

But Erik Gerets’ outfit were also embroiled in a deadlock after 45 minutes. Three minutes into the second half, news filtered through in Provence that Yoan Gouffran - not to be mistaken for Gourcuff - had given Bordeaux the lead. It would now take a miraculous turnaround to reignite Marseille’s hopes. OM did their part, firing four past Rennes as they gave a remarkable second half showing, ending the Bretons’ lingering European hopes.

Meanwhile in Normandy, Bordeaux repelled their increasingly offensively minded hosts, keeping the clean sheet that they so craved and showcased the remarkable resilience that has seen the Aquitaine club finish the season so powerfully.

Blanc summed up Bordeaux’s remarkable success, stating to the press after the game, “You know me, I'm someone who is quite reserved but it's true that I'm going to celebrate this after the match and on Sunday. These moments are so rare and so precious that they have to be savoured.

“It's the perfect recompense for two years of hard work from the players and the coaching staff, who have been fantastic.

“Everybody – even myself – expected Lyon to be champions. Then it was Marseille's turn. It was only late in the day that people realised Bordeaux were on an exceptional run. You have to stop your players from feeling under pressure, and I admit that it is easier to do that at Bordeaux than at some other clubs I could mention.”

Thousands upon thousands of jubilant Bordeaux fans gathered in Place des Quinconces this afternoon to celebrate the club’s title win and to witness their favourites lift the trophy for the first time – the prize was in Marseille on Saturday evening, presumably to allow the victorious side to lift the award in front of their own fans rather than because of any expectation that OM would actually win the crown.

It was therefore literally a case of so near yet so far away for les Phoceens and, understandably, their reactions were somewhat contrasting. “The club wanted to finish first or second and that goal has been achieved. Unfortunately my goal wasn't achieved,” Gerets explained, showing his phenomenal instinct to be the best. “That leaves me with regrets but there were so many satisfying things on a human level here. It was a very special experience.

“I would also like to apologise to the supporters for not being champions. The present I wanted to give these people who've supported me over the last two years was the title, so I'm sorry. I'm sorry to be leaving the club as well.”

Gerets’ efforts at Marseille were commendable and are certainly not deserving of the apologies he gave to the club’s fans, who hold him in such high regard. OM won 12 of their last 16 Ligue 1 fixtures, losing only once in that time frame – championship form. But such a haul of points was insufficient to keep pace with the fast finishing Bordeaux, whose 11 consecutive Ligue 1 successes is a truly historic effort – the best in the league’s history. Les Girondins’ ability to play nearly a third of the season only recording victories is a feat worthy of great respect.

(Robin Bairner, Goal.com)

Cristiano Ronaldo beat off competition from Lionel Messi, Xavi, as well as Fernando Torres, and last year’s winner Kaka, to win the FIFA World Player of the Year Award with a total of 935 vote points. In second place was Barcelona star Lionel Messi with 678, while Liverpool striker Fernando Torres finished third with 203. AC Milan star Kaka was not far behind in fourth with 183, while Barcelona's Xavi ended up fifth with 155.

The number 7 of Manchester United was designated best football player of the year for 2008 by FIFA this Monday, the second athlete from the Sporting Clube de Portugal school in Lisbon, after Luís Figo, to win this prize. With 23 years and a long time to grow, Cristiano Ronaldo has the world at his feet. At 23 years of age, Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Boot with 42 goals scored in the last season for Manchester United, being Europe's best scorer and best player now the world. He also won the championship of the Premier League in England, and the Champions’ League. He followed this up this term by lifting the Club World Cup in Japan. "The last season for me was the best in the world. And he is a very intelligent player who decides games. When you think he’ll be on the left, then he appears on the right. When you expect him to kick from the left, then there’s a kick from the right."

Ronaldo caps off a clean sweep of the major awards, having also picked up the prestigious Ballon d'Or (European Footballer of the Year) at the end of 2008. The 23-year-old becomes the first English-based player to be named FIFA World Player of the Year, and only the second Portuguese, following in the footsteps of Luis Figo, who triumphed in 2001.

There is no question as to who was the most effective footballer of 2008; like him or not, Cristiano Ronaldo had an on-field effect quite unlike anybody else in the calendar year. The 23-year-old inspired his club side to the Premier League title, Champions League and World Championship and picked up all the individual trinkets and accolades along the way. An exceptional 42 goals in the 2007-08 season stood Ronaldo in phenomenal stead and some murmurs even suggested that the Portuguese forward had overtaken George Best in the affections of the United faithful.

Despite his success and talent, a player of his calibre has never cut such a polemic figure. His detractors often overlook or undersell his achievements and instead point to his posturing, diving, complaining and selfishness as indicators of an overinflated ego and a delusional halfwit foolish enough to believe his own hype, and then some.

The truth probably lies somewhere in between, but our team have given their perception of the best and worst that could come from his winning of yet another award: the FIFA World Player of the Year.

(source: goal.com, etc.)

Grande Partita Serie-A, Juventus maintains the challenge on champions Inter Milan as they beat closest rivals AC Milan 4-2 in an open and entertaining match.

Del Piero opened the scoring with a penalty after only fifteen minutes when Marek Jankulovski brought him down in the penalty area. Pato equaled the scored just after the half hour after Kaladze set Ronaldinho free and his pass into the area was well met by the young star who had an easy tap-in. A powerful header from Chielini restored the one-goal advantage. Juventus scored again seven minutes later when Brazilian Amauri headed home his side’s third. AC Milan reduced the deficit eleven minutes into the second period when Ambrosini's shot flew into the net. But Amauri settled the match with a well-taken goal after a one-two with midfielder Sissoko.

And El Clasico La Liga, late goal from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi helped Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at a rain-soaked Camp Nou to move of their arch rivals in title race. Former Real old boy Eto'o had seen Iker Casillas save his penalty on 70 minutes but picked himself up to break the deadlock seven minutes from time and Messi produced a delicate chip in stoppage time to spark wild celebrations.

It was Barca's first win over Real since November 2005 and was sweet revenge for last season when Real did a league double and Barca had to perform the guard of honour to salute Real as champions at the Santiago Bernabeu before losing 4-1.

For new Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos, who took over from Bernd Schuster four days ago, it was a bitter pill to swallow and the former Tottenham Hotspur manager has a mammoth task to help Real win a third consecutive title.

It is a complete turnaround from last season when Real opened up a seven-point cushion with a 1-0 victory at Camp Nou before strolling to the title.

“It is certainly difficult to take,'' said Real captain Raul. “We had chances but then conceded two late goals and have to take it on the chin. “We are not giving up (in the title race) as it is a long season and there are lots of points to play for. We have to absorb this defeat and carry on.''

(source: http://eurochampsleague.com&foxsports.com)