The Hindu : Sport : Eto'o takes Barcelona to Spanish Glory

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 16, 2005

Sport

Sport

Eto'o takes Barcelona to Spanish Glory

PHOTO: AP

I DID IT: Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o celebrates after scoring his 24th goal of the season to give Barcelona its 17th league title.

MADRID: FC Barcelona won its first Spanish league title in six years on Saturday by drawing Levante 1-1.

Striker Samuel Eto'o scored his 24th goal of the season in the 60th minute to give Barcelona its 17th league title. Alberto Rivera scored for Levante in the 35th.

Barcelona leads Real Madrid by six points with two rounds remaining. The Catalan team, which has been in first place since the start of October, needed only a point after Madrid drew 2-2 with Sevilla earlier Saturday.

``We dedicate this to Barcelona supporters. They have helped us a lot. This title brings us a lot of happiness. But I was only happy when we equalised. The team has suffered a lot,'' Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was quoted as saying by news agency Efe.

Barcelona has 82 points from 36 games, while Madrid has 76. Even if Barcelona suffered two defeats and Madrid gained two victories in their remaining two games, Barcelona was champion on head-to-head results.

`Great moment'

Barcelona players embraced at the final whistle, and Brazilian forward Ronaldinho leaped up and down on the touchline before leaving down the players' tunnel carrying a club flag.

``It's a great moment. It's been a difficult league with a very good Madrid but we totally deserved to win it. It's the first for me but not the last,'' Barcelona midfielder Deco told Spanish national radio.

The players will parade through the Catalan capital on Sunday afternoon before returning to the club's 98,000-capacity Camp Nou stadium, which will be open to supporters for night-time festivities, music and fireworks.

Club president Joan Laporta, who took charge in 2003, said the credit for Barcelona's success must go to Rijkaard and technical director Txiki Beguistain.

``He has done an extraordinary job, creating commitment from the very start,'' Laporta said of Rijkaard.``It may be all over now but we gave our all,'' Ronaldo said.

Madrid defender Ivan Helguera was ejected in injury time for a foul on substitute Dario Silva. — AP

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