Title joy for Legia, Mladost Podgorica and Olimpija
Sunday, May 15, 2016
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Legia Warszawa have completed a Polish league and cup double in their centenary year after Mladost Podgorica won a maiden title in Montenegro and Olimpija prevailed in Slovenia.
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Barcelona were not the only team celebrating title success this weekend, as Legia Warszawa crossed the finishing line in Poland after both Mladost Podgorica and Slovenia's Olimpija secured triumphs in their respective leagues.
- Next season's Champions League group stage
- Europe's reigning champions and cup holders
- League standings in all of Europe's top flights
Eleventh heaven for Legia
Legia Warszawa have clinched their 11th Polish title to complete a league and cup double on the final day of the season, after their 3-0 defeat of Pogoń Szczecin coincided with a 1-0 loss for surprise package Piast Gliwice at home to Zagłębie Lubin. Nemanja Nikolić was on target once again for Legia to finish top scorer in Poland with 28 goals, having registered against every team in the division.
"I didn't even go in the dressing room – I prefer to work than celebrate," said Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov after ensuring a memorable centenary for the club founded in 1916. "My aim was to prepare the players to win games. Until now they have celebrated better than they've played, but we will change that."
Slovenia: Olimpija end wait in dramatic fashion
League top scorer Rok Kronaveter converted a 93rd-minute penalty as Olimpija Ljubljana won at Rudar to clinch their fifth title – 21 years since the fourth. With one match to go, Olimpija are three points clear of Maribor with a better head-to-head. "The feeling is phenomenal," said Kronaveter, who actually hails from Maribor. "It was a very tense match, right to the very last minute. Olimpija and Ljubljana deserve this trophy; we have waited too long for it."
Montenegro: Mladost Podgorica claim first title
Mladost wrapped up their maiden championship in dream style, defeating nearest rivals and traditional powerhouses Budućnost 2-1 to build an unassailable ten-point cushion with two games left. "Just looking at the margin you would think it was an easy campaign, but far from it," said Mladost coach Nikola Rakojević. "It is nice feeling to be crowned with a win against our biggest rival."