Latest news with #ChampionsofEngland
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Leicester of Ligue 1: Remembering Montpellier's famous title triumph on the eve of their relegation
Everyone knows the story of Leicester City. On the brink of Premier League relegation one season, to Champions of England the next. It's the footballing fairytale of our time. Leicester's miraculous triumph of 2015/16 felt unheard of, like nothing of the sort had ever happened before. But indeed, it had. Across the channel, an ever-unlikely champion had risen to the French throne just four years earlier. Montpellier were the pre-gen of Claudio Rainieri's famed Foxes. Powered by breakout star Olivier Giroud, this humble family-run side from southern France warded off the biggest of hitters to reign over France. Two of the greatest underdog stories in the game's history, both now share the ignominy of a stark fall from grace. While Leicester have suffered their second relegation in the space of three seasons, the Ligue 1 final matchday marks a first demotion for Montpellier since their crowning glory of 13 years ago. Drifting into obscurity, broke and divided, La Paillade will seek comfort from the memories of their unfathomable title win, knowing that while a return to the upper echelons may now seem a pipedream, they've defied worse odds before. Ahead of the 2011/12 campaign, Ligue 1 had been rocked by the news of Paris-Saint Germain's takeover by Qatar Sports Investment (QSI). Turning into an uber-wealthy European powerhouse almost overnight, it became inevitable that the division would come under a chokehold of the Parisiens. But despite embarking on a summer of intense spending under Carlo Ancelotti, the Qataris would not enjoy title success in their first season. They were tripped up in that pursuit not by defending champions Lille, or French giants Marseille or Lyon – but by Montpelllier. Led by Rene Girard, La Paillade stunned the footballing world. Three seasons prior, they were fighting for promotion in the second tier. But with a team of hidden gems valued at a fraction of their competitors, Montpellier pulled off the unthinkable to top Ligue 1 for the first time in their history. From the outset, they were the surprise package of the 2011/12 season. Five wins in their first seven saw them record their best-ever start to a Ligue 1 season. But at the back-end of September, having briefly sat atop the table, they were sharply brought back to reality. PSG dismantled Montpellier 3-0 on their own turf to showcase what everyone already assumed was the gulf in quality between the two sides. Yet despite this setback, Montpellier kept up the pace going into the winter break. This was in significant part due to Giroud, an all but unknown entity at the start of the year. The Mosson talisman, who had signed from Montpellier in 2010 for what was then a club-record fee of €2m (£1.7m), was taking France by storm. The 25-year-old may have been something of a late bloomer, but with 18 goal contributions in as many appearances, he had put European football on notice as the rocket fuel behind Montpellier's shock title charge. By the end of the winter break, Montpellier had reeled the Parisians in. Fans began to truly believe when Girard's men passed their toughest test, a trip to the Parc des Princes in February. Against the financial muscle of the division, Montpellier held PSG to a 2-2 draw to ensure they stayed within touching distance of the leaders, setting them up for the near-flawless season run-in that was to come. Just two losses in their final 14 outings saw Montpellier leapfrog their title rivals going into the final weeks, with everything coming down to the final day in Auxerre. Three points ahead of PSG at the top but on an identical goal difference, La Paillade needed just a point to make history. A double from ex-Pompey frontman John Utaka put the outcome beyond doubt as Montpellier came out 2-1 victors. They had done the impossible. Giroud, branded 'Le Buteur de Charme' – or 'The Charm Striker' – was the posterboy of Girard's champions. He finished the season as the league's joint-top goalscorer with 21 goals, solely responsible for 13 of the club's points that year, with his tireless, all-action performances earning the attention of Premier League giants Arsenal and a France call-up for Euro 2012. However, Montpellier were hardly a one-man team. Pulling the strings behind the Frenchman were two homegrown midfield maestros. The first, Moroccan magician Younes Belhanda, was one of the stars of the season. Once a holding player in the academy, the versatile Belhanda was shifted to a playmaker by Girard for 2011/12, a move that paid dividends as he notched 12 goals and four assists across a highly influential campaign. The second was Remy Cabella, another academy product who burst onto the scene that season. Then 21, the promising Frenchman, who would later be picked up by Newcastle, was a one of a handful of young talents to earn continental recognition at Montpellier during 2011/12. Cabella, just like Giroud, Belhanda and Mosson-bred defensive midfield starlet Benjamin Stambouli, was quickly touted for bigger things following Montpellier's shock title triumph. Giroud, rightly seeing his name in lights, jumped at Arsenal's advances that summer to embark on what would be a fruitful nine-year spell in the English top tier. But local lads Cabella, Belhanda and Stambouli stayed put to try and cement Montpellier's status as a top contender. In this effort, they failed. Montpellier's title defence resulted in a ninth-place finish in 2012/13, before dropping to 15th the following year. Rapidly falling off their perch, this period was enough to see their homegrown midfield trio abandon the project for pastures new. Belhanda had moved to Dynamo Kyiv, Stambouli to Spurs, and Cabella to the Magpies – all transfers of which proved pretty ill-fated. Montpellier's downfall was sparked by a failure to build on their shock success. They lost their star players and did not adequately replace. They also threw in the towel on coach Rene Girard just a year after he led La Paillade to uncomprehensible heights, with founding club president Louis 'LouLou' Nicollin not offering him a new contract at the end of 2012/13. The club never consolidated their newfound identity as winners and over the 13 years that followed, they never broke the top five again. This failure to live up to potential was reflected by the careers of their title-winning squad, many of whom – with the exception of Giroud – didn't come close to the heights once pegged for them. Having floated back into mediocrity, the past season has seen Montpellier crumble at a time of degradation in French football. Now under the ownership of Laurent Nicollin, who took over from father LouLou following his 2017 passing, the club have been hit hard by the financial crisis that has Ligue 1 on the brink of collapse. Last year's accounts showed the wage bill as almost equivalent to the club's entire income. Fiscal struggles, combined with dismal performances, have incited widespread disunity in the club. Players, fans and leadership have turned on each other. During a meeting with Monaco, supporters unfurled a banner that told the team: 'You embody the worst version of our club: shame on you.' A month earlier, long-time skipper Teji Savanier besmirched his reputation after responding to an embarrassing Coupe de France thrashing to fourth-tier Le Puy by flaunting his eye-watering wage. When a Le Puy fan teased the midfielder by asking if sitting rock bottom of Ligue 1 hurt, Savanier responded: 'When you're being paid €210,000 a month, no.' He was stripped of the captaincy after being condemned by the club. And while fans have also taken issue with the hierarchy, Nicollin has pointed his finger at his squad. 'There are people whose story with the club is over, whatever happens,' he said after defeat to Angers in April. 'We will go forward with a healthy base of people who want to fight for the club and people who aren't just there for their own sake.' Montpellier, a club whose success 13 years ago was built off a unified effort to overcome the odds, are now embroiled in an internal war. A shadow of their former selves, Montpellier now face the serious threat of ending up like Bordeaux - a former giant now dwindling in the fourth tier after suffering a drawn-out demise. While there will be hope of a rebuild in the second division, weak foundations in the French football system may not facilitate it. Long gone are the dreams of established success in France. The objective is now to avoid becoming the nation's next footballing cautionary tale.
TimesLIVE
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Scenes in and around Anfield as Liverpool fans finally celebrate a title
Five years after Covid-19 restrictions prevented Liverpool fans from celebrating at Anfield their team's first top flight title triumph in 30 years, Reds faithful wasted little time on Sunday getting the party started on another Premier League success. With Anfield filled to the brim, Liverpool equalled Manchester United's record of 20 English top-flight titles with their 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur. THE KOP AS LOUD AS EVER ❤️ — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 27, 2025 But it was after Alexis Mac Allister struck a blistering shot to put the Reds ahead for good in the 24th minute that the delirious crowd at the sun-drenched stadium erupted and they did not stop singing until well after the final whistle sounded. 'To win the Premier League here with the fans is special, it's an incredible feeling,' said Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah. 'This is way better than five years ago, without a shadow of a doubt. To do it again after five years is something special.' Arne Slot's Liverpool are Champions of England 🏆 — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 27, 2025 Kenny Dalglish, who managed Liverpool's victorious 1990 team, was among those celebrating with the Anfield crowd on Sunday. They broke into chants of 'Champions!' at numerous times during the second half, during which the match was stopped so a deflated Premier League trophy balloon could be removed from the pitch. Absolute SCENES at Anfield #LFC #Anfield #livspurs #PremierLeague #YNWA #SuperSunday #LiverpoolVsSpurs #Liverpool #LiverpoolFC — ♥HausOfJen♥ (@miss_gaga03) April 27, 2025 Liverpool players and staff on the touchline dashed onto the pitch the second the final whistle sounded then danced wildly to 'One Kiss is All it Takes.' They lined up arm-in-arm in front of the Kop, team captain Virgil van Dijk with the game ball tucked under one arm, for a stirring rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' as stadium staff choked back tears. Some great scenes around liverpool — We Are Liverpool (@WeAreLiv3rpool) April 27, 2025 'I was desperate for them [the fans to be here] of course, for all the fans around the world, for the fans here, but for us as well,' said Van Dijk, who was a part of the 2020 squad. Left-back Andrew Robertson, another member of that title winning squad, said it was a surreal experience to finally be able to celebrate with the fans. Scenes outside Anfield going long into the night. Liverpool won't sleep tonight 🏆 — Aadam Patel (@aadamp9) April 27, 2025 'The last time we won it was a stranger time, but I suppose we kind of got that feeling against Manchester United at home. It was pretty much done at that point ... It's not like quite clinching it and then obviously the world paused,' he said. 'We enjoyed it, of course we did, but you can't beat what we experienced today and how we went to the ground and the fans during and after the game. Nothing quite compares to that and I'm glad we got to experience it that way as well.' 🗣️ "Liverpool is most definitely red tonight" Scenes across Liverpool after Arne Slot's side claimed the Premier League title 🔴 — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 27, 2025 Liverpool clinched the 2020 title under Juergen Klopp, 30 year's after the Reds' previous top-flight title in 1990, but many said the title should come with an asterisk since no fans were permitted in the stadium when Liverpool lifted the trophy. "[The fans being here] is what makes it special,' Liverpool boss Arne Slot said. Scenes in the changing rooms — Liverpool News (@LFCVine) April 27, 2025 "[Five] years ago they won the league. It was an amazing accomplishment. But the fans weren't there. So you can feel how important it was for them to be here. And the boys did an outstanding job today — including our fans.' Arne Slot sings "Jurgen Klopp, la la la la la" 🙌 Liverpool win with four games to spare and join United at the top with 20 top-flight titles 🏆 — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 27, 2025 In his final game at Anfield, Klopp had encouraged the Anfield crowd to embrace Slot as their incoming manager by leading them in a singalong of the Dutchman's name. Slot repaid the compliment on Sunday as he took the microphone to sing 'Juergen Klopp! Na-na-na-na-na!' Thousands of fans not fortunate to be inside Anfield on Sunday celebrated outside, setting off flares before the game ended in a party that was sure to go well into the night.
National Post
24-04-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Liverpool likely to crowned English Premier League champions by end of the weekend
Article content One of the more unlikely outcomes of the season should be confirmed on Sunday. Article content Article content If Liverpool can avoid defeat at home on Sunday against Spurs, they'll be named Champions of England for a record-tying 20th time. Article content Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday means Liverpool only needs a draw, one more point, to get over the line and add one of the big boys to their trophy case. Article content Article content Spurs could delay the party — to the benefit of their hated North London rivals Arsenal — by winning, but to be honest, with one win in their past seven games it would be a shocker. Article content And, even if that did happen, what are the odds Liverpool would go pointless the rest of the way? None. Article content Liverpool was supposed to be in transition this season with iconic manager Jurgen Klopp stepping down and Arne Slot filling his seat. Most new managers spend furiously to put their brand on the team, but Slot's squad bought two players — goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who they left on loan at Valencia and will join the team this summer, and reserve forward Federico Chiesa, who hasn't started a Premier League game all season. Article content Continuity does have its benefits. Liverpool has been perched on top spot since November and steadily grew its lead. Article content There has been a sense of disappointment from outside the city that the club's season hasn't been 'special' because of their early exit in the Champions League. But they lost on penalties to Paris St-Germain, a team funded by an oil-state owner who are in the semifinals and are favourites to win it. Article content Article content Manchester City, another petroleum-fuelled super club with few qualms about blowing the budget every season on new players, have only been denied the crown twice in the past eight years. Both times it will be Liverpool who interrupted their reign. Article content Article content In an era of sacking managers and spending millions on new players while hording current ones, it has been a refreshing message that sometimes patience and belief in what you have are undervalued. Article content With the three promoted clubs all yo-yo-ing back down to the Championship, all that's left to follow in these last five matchweeks will be the last two Champions League spots.
Toronto Sun
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Liverpool likely to crowned English Premier League champions by end of the weekend
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against West Ham United. AP Photo Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. One of the more unlikely outcomes of the season should be confirmed on Sunday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account If Liverpool can avoid defeat at home on Sunday against Spurs, they'll be named Champions of England for a record-tying 20th time. Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday means Liverpool only needs a draw, one more point, to get over the line and add one of the big boys to their trophy case. Spurs could delay the party — to the benefit of their hated North London rivals Arsenal — by winning, but to be honest, with one win in their past seven games it would be a shocker. And, even if that did happen, what are the odds Liverpool would go pointless the rest of the way? None. Liverpool was supposed to be in transition this season with iconic manager Jurgen Klopp stepping down and Arne Slot filling his seat. Most new managers spend furiously to put their brand on the team, but Slot's squad bought two players — goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who they left on loan at Valencia and will join the team this summer, and reserve forward Federico Chiesa, who hasn't started a Premier League game all season. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Continuity does have its benefits. Liverpool has been perched on top spot since November and steadily grew its lead. There has been a sense of disappointment from outside the city that the club's season hasn't been 'special' because of their early exit in the Champions League. But they lost on penalties to Paris St-Germain, a team funded by an oil-state owner who are in the semifinals and are favourites to win it. Manchester City, another petroleum-fuelled super club with few qualms about blowing the budget every season on new players, have only been denied the crown twice in the past eight years. Both times it will be Liverpool who interrupted their reign. In an era of sacking managers and spending millions on new players while hording current ones, it has been a refreshing message that sometimes patience and belief in what you have are undervalued. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. With the three promoted clubs all yo-yo-ing back down to the Championship, all that's left to follow in these last five matchweeks will be the last two Champions League spots. England has been granted a fifth entry into the lucrative tournament for next season and, looking at the table, only Liverpool and Arsenal can be assumed at this point. Manchester City's last-minute win in midweek against Aston Villa greatly boosted its hopes while denting Villa's. So If we look at City with 61 points (though both it and Aston Villa have played a game more than the other contenders) down to Villa at 57 points, there five clubs for three spots. Here's their outlook: Manchester City Wolves (h), Southampton (a), Bournemouth (h), Fulham (a) This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. They have a four-point cushion on the teams outside the qualification places, but have played one more game than Chelsea. Form has been better, having not lost in the past six games and winning four of the past five. This is an easy schedule with none of the teams they face having anything at stake. Odds are City finishes third and qualifies, Opta Statistics odds to qualify: 81%. Nottingham Forest Brentford (h), Crystal Palace (a), Leicester (h), West Ham (a), Chelsea (h) The best story in the league outside of Liverpool winning an unexpected title. Brentford and Palace have proven they can beat anyone on the right day and can be a handful. Leicester and West Ham less so, so it could come down to the last day against Chelsea. That game is at home, and Chelsea's many high-priced stars have been stuttering. Forest's strength all season has been the stinginess in their own end, Liverpool and Arsenal are the only teams who have surrendered fewer goals this season. Opta Statistics odds to qualify: 79%. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ipswich (h), Brighton (a), Chelsea (h), Arsenal (a), Everton (h) Had been the Premier League's form team until they were thrashed by Villa last week where they looked poor. Ipswich will be a pushover, Chelsea are in the same battle here to get into the Champions League, but Newcastle get them at home and the Blues have only won twice in their past five. Brighton and Everton have enough quality to beat anyone on their day, so this isn't a given. Only Manchester City and Liverpool have scored more goals this year than Newcastle and that's massive as it will be wins not draws that likely decide this race. On paper this may be the hardest path, but they benefit from the fact that Arsenal won't have any reason to push for a win and could be resting players for this year's Champions League. Opta Statistics odds to qualify 75%. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Everton (h), Liverpool (h), Newcastle (a), Manchester United (h), Nottingham Forest (a) Will probably come down to the games against the two teams in the same ring as them, Newcastle and Forest. Everton has been rolling under David Moyes, Manchester United are frankly dreadful and Liverpool will have nothing to play for. If they don't win the first four they'll absolutely need to win at Forest on the last day to get in. Stakes are high, with an expensive, bloated squad not getting into the Champions League will likely mean wholesale change and maybe even a new manager yet again. Opta Statistics odds to qualify 29%. Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Fulham (h), Bournemouth (a), Tottenham (h), Manchester United (a) After getting into the quarterfinals of this year's Champions League, Villa and their fans had visions of their European Cup win in 1982 and want to continue the momentum into next season. Not qualifying will be a massive disappointment. Spurs and United are the two most disappointing teams in the whole league and have shown they have little fight in them. Bournemouth and Fulham have had spectacular moments this season, but have little to play for. Villa's problem is they don't play any team they're chasing and will need help. They can probably reel in Chelsea, but they're going to need Newcastle to slip up and be perfect to get into next year's tourney. The loss to City in midweek was damaging. Opta Statistics odds to qualify 31%. This weekend's slate Saturday: Chelsea vs Everton; Brighton vs West Ham; Newcastle vs Ipswich; Southampton vs Fulham; Wolves vs Leicester. Sunday: Bournemouth vs Manchester United; Liverpool vs Tottenham. Toronto & GTA Toronto Raptors Federal Elections Toronto Maple Leafs Canada
