Santa Coloma retain Andorran crown

FC Santa Coloma have retained the Andorra Primera Division title after beating UE Sant Julià 3-1 on an enthralling final day of the season in the Pyrenees.

Richard Imbernón’s side went into the last weekend sitting top of the table and knowing a win would guarantee them the title. The pressure barely showed, with Gabriel Riera opening the scoring in the 10th minute and Ildefons Lima doubling his side's advantage moments before half-time. Juan Toscano then made it 3-0 after the break, Arturo Gándara grabbing a consolation for Sant Julià.

This victory earned Santa Coloma their ninth crown overall as they came in three points above FC Lusitans, whose title hopes faded after losing 2-1 to the champions last weekend. "We went into the game thinking only about ourselves," said Imbernón, whose charges will meet Sant Julià again in the Copa Constitució final on 10 May. "We knew it was up to us and that if we won we would be champions.

"In the end we got the same points as last year. In fact, we did better in the play-offs than last year. Perhaps we were less consistent, but at the end of the day our results have allowed us to achieve our objective, which was to be champions. Now we are going for the double, which would bring an excellent end to the season."

Captain Lima added: "The truth is that we didn't have a good start to the league season, but we turned it on when we needed to and we got to this final weekend in touching distance of the title. And we didn't pass up the opportunity."