Lille end long wait to become French champions

Lille's players celebrate their long-awaited league crown

Lille won their first French league title since 1954 with a 2-2 draw at Paris Saint-Germain.

With one round of matches left, Lille have a six-point lead over defending champions Marseille, who were held to a 2-2 home draw by Valenciennes.

Goals from Ludovic Obraniak and Moussa Sow also gave Lille their first League and Cup double in 65 years.

Obraniak hit the winner last weekend at the Stade de France as Lille beat PSG 1-0 to win the French Cup.

"All season they've been fantastic," said Lille coach Rudi Garcia of his players.

"They're a wonderful group. When they see each other again in 15 or 20 years, they'll have some special memories to share."

Lille's players rushed to celebrate with the away fans at the final whistle, although second-placed Marseille's 2-2 draw at home to Valenciennes meant they would have been assured of the title even in case of defeat.

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