Lille clinch last Champions League ticket - 8:17 AM, May. 16, 2006 |
Lille claimed a Champions League third qualifying round spot after a 2-2 draw at Stade Rennes in a nail-biting last round of matches in Ligue 1 on Saturday. The northerners finished third in the standings with 62 points, two more than arch-rivals RC Lens, who beat Nantes 3-1. Lens finished fourth and qualified for the UEFA Cup. Olympique Marseille, who had still hoped to qualify for the Champions League, ended almost empty-handed. The Provence side, who were reduced to 10 men after defender Abdoulaye Meite was sent off for a second bookable offence on 70 minutes, were held 1-1 at second-placed Girondins Bordeaux. Franck Ribery, who hopes to be included in France's 23-man squad for the World Cup on Sunday, missed a penalty in the 27th minute. Marseille finished fifth and will play in the Intertoto Cup. Olympique Lyon celebrated their record fifth consecutive title, secured four weeks ago, with a 8-1 rout of Le Mans. |

