31 May 2009

Bordeaux win French title

12:57 pm on 31 May 2009

Bordeaux clinched their first French Ligue 1 football title in 10 years when a Yoan Gouffran goal earned them a 1-0 win at Caen.

The Aquitaine side, who were last champions in 1999, finished the season with 80 points, three ahead of Olympique Marseille, who were 4-0 winners over Stade Rennes at their Stade Velodrome.

Gouffran headed home from a Benoit Tremoulinas cross four minutes into the second half as Bordeaux bagged their 11th consecutive league win.

Olympique Lyon, who had won the last seven titles, ended third after a goalless draw at Toulouse and will play in the Champions League qualifying round.

Toulouse, fourth, and fifth-placed Lille, who beat Nancy 3-2, will take part in the Europa League as Bordeaux's League Cup win freed a place in the former UEFA Cup.

Eight-times champions Nantes were relegated despite a 2-1 home win against AJ Auxerre, along with Caen and Le Havre.

RC Lens, Montpellier and Boulogne-sur-Mer were promoted from Ligue 2.