SPAIN: SOCCER - BARCELONA FOOTBALL CLUB WIN THE SPANISH LEAGUE TITLE AFTER A 1-1 DRAW AGAINST LEVANTE AT THE CIUDAD DE VALENCIA STADIUM IN VALENCIA.

Record ID: 945974

  • Title: SPAIN: SOCCER - BARCELONA FOOTBALL CLUB WIN THE SPANISH LEAGUE TITLE AFTER A 1-1 DRAW AGAINST LEVANTE AT THE CIUDAD DE VALENCIA STADIUM IN VALENCIA.
  • Date: 14th May 2005
  • Summary: VALENCIA, SPAIN (MAY 14, 2005) (MEDIAPRO - SEE ABOVE FOR RESTRICTIONS BEFORE BROADCAST) LEVANTE (BLUE/RED) V BARCELONA (BEIGE) 1. TEAMS ON 'CIUDAD DE VALENCIA STADIUM 2. RONALDINHO (10) HUGS SAMUEL ETO'O (9) AND INIESTA 3. LEVANTE FANS BEATING DRUMS 4. LEVANTE COUNTER ATTACK, ALEJANDRO ALEXIS (3) LIFTS PASS TO ALBERTO RIVERA (8)
  • Embargoed: 28th May 2005 13:00
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  • Location: VALENCIA, SPAIN
  • Country: Spain
  • Reuters ID: LVAECNSS762A0O9A2PDJUMAHYOKK
  • Story Text:Samuel Eto'o Eto'o strike earns Barcelona 17th
    Spanish league title.



    Barcelona won their first league title in six years
    on Saturday (May 14) after a second-half header from
    leading striker Samuel Eto'o earned them a 1-1 draw against
    relegation-threatened Levante.

    A nervous-looking Barcelona were made to fight every
    inch of the way for the point that clinched their 17th
    league title by determined opponents who needed a win to
    keep themselves clear of the drop zone.

    Former Real Madrid player Alberto Rivera gave the home
    side a deserved lead 10 minutes before the break as he
    guided past Barca keeper Victor Valdes after another Real
    old boy Edwin Congo headed the ball back into his path from
    the edge of the area.

    Rijkaard's side struggled to find their usual rhythm as
    they were hounded down in midfield and grew increasingly
    frustrated as they failed to make any inroads against the
    crowded Levante defence.

    Tempers flared in the closing minutes of the half with
    players from both sides exchanging a series of reckless
    challenges in midfield.

    Barca's Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho was fortunate
    to stay on the pitch after appearing to headbutt a Levante
    defender in the area after a penalty appeal.

    Levante almost extended their lead at the start of the
    second half when Congo raced clear on the break, but Valdes
    stood his ground and managed to block the Colombian's shot.

    The Catalans were given yet another scare when Jofre
    hit the post with a long range effort after Valdes was left
    stranded when he threw the ball straight to the feet of the
    Levante midfielder.

    But the Catalans managed to grab the all-important
    equaliser as Cameroon international striker Eto'o scored
    his 24th goal of the season when he nodded in at the far
    post after Rafael Marquez headed on a corner from Xavi on
    the hour.

    With second-placed Real Madrid earlier held to a 2-2
    draw in an action-packed match at Sevilla, Barcelona now
    have an unassailable six-point lead at the top of the table.

    Even if the Catalans lose their remaining two matches
    they cannot be caught by their arch-rivals because of their
    better head-to-head record in meetings between the two
    sides this season.

    "I think it's a great satisfaction specially for the
    fans who were wating a long time and I hope they will enjoy
    this moment," said Barca's Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard. "For
    that reason, I am very proud of the players who made this
    possible. Secondly, my happiness goews with the supporters,
    with the fans -- I think they must be having a great time."
    On Sunday (May 15) the travelling fans will be back in
    Barcelona to celebrate with the players who will be
    parading in the city.
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