Litex retain Bulgarian crown

PFC Litex Lovech have retained the Bulgarian championship as a 3-1 victory at PFC Lokomotiv Sofia ensured they go into the final game of the season five points clear of PFC Levski Sofia.

Levski did all they could to maintain the pressure on the titleholders with a 3-0 success at PFC Akademik Sofia but that effort proved in vain due to Litex's second-half display in the capital.

Momchil Tsvetanov broke the deadlock on 48 minutes and the lead was quickly doubled thanks to Svetoslav Todorov's eighth goal of the season (54). Milen Lahchev (68) set up a nervous finish for the leaders but Brazilian striker Madureira replied within five minutes to spark the celebrations.

Todorov said: "This is an incredible achievement for me. I have been in the squad for all four of the club's triumphs [1998, 1999, 2010, 2011] and it is a great feeling. I scored the second goal and it was an important one, but the most important thing is that the team won the game and the title."

While the former West Ham United FC and Portsmouth FC forward is looking forward to competing in the UEFA Champions League, Litex coach Luboslav Penev knows a lot needs to be done if his team are to make an impact in the competition.

"Our priority was to win the league and we've achieved it," said the former Bulgarian international, twice a champion with PFC CSKA Sofia in the late 1980s. "Now there are other targets. There is always work to be done and there is always room for improvement."