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France
Seven days after claiming their return to Ligue 1, Monaco celebrated the title victory on home soil as they beat relegation threatened Le Mans 2-1. The strike partnership of Ibrahima Toure and Valerie Germain that ripped through Ligue 2 defences before Christmas was given the task of securing the title with a rare start together and both found the target in the win, although Toure blotted his copybook with a sending off. The two teams that will join Monaco in next season’s Ligue 1 were also decided as Nantes beat relegated Sedan 1-0 in front of almost 38,000 delirious fans at Le Beaujoire, although the game began nervously for the hosts when midfielder Lucas Deaux was sent off for a headbutt after just six minutes. Guingamp’s last minute winner at Gazelec Ajaccio, coupled with Angers and Caen both failing to win, meant the side promoted from the National the season before last capped off an amazing season by securing promotion, although crowd disturbances meant the referee was forced to take the teams off towards the end, making them anxiously wait.
Le Mans’ defeat at Monaco plunges them into the bottom three with just one round of fixtures remaining after Laval moved above them with a surprise 2-1 success at Le Havre. Niort were assured of another season at this level when they beat Nimes 2-0. Le Mans are two points behind Laval ahead of next week’s final round with both sides having home advantage against mid table outfits in the shape of Lens and Chateauroux respectively.
Germany
Hertha Bertha levelled late on at home to Cottbus to make it just one defeat in their last 32 league games and two defeats all season as they cruised to the 2.BL title. Eintracht Braunschweig had already claimed promotion and drew 2-2 with this season’s surprise package FSV Frankfurt. Kaiserslautern had already qualified for the playoffs (where they will meet Hoffenheim) for a place in next season’s Bundesliga, so a 2-1 reverse at home to St Pauli had little effect on the league table.
Despite being relegated several weeks ago, Sandhausen and Jahn Regensburg were involved in the only two games that really mattered this weekend as they faced the two teams that could end in the relegation playoff place. Dresden were in the dreaded playoff spot ahead of their clash with Jahn and although they fell behind, Dynamo rallied to win the game 3-1, but they needed Sandhausen to pick up something at home to Aue. It wasn’t to be for Dresden as Aue’s standout player Jan Hochschiedt bagged a late winner, putting Dresden up against Osnabruck in a two legged winner takes all affair to stay in 2.BL.
Italy
Minnows Sassuolo made it to Serie A after a 96th minute goal against promotion rivals Livorno in a humdinger of a game which broke the visitors’ hearts as they pushed for the goal that would have taken them up. Sassuolo only needed a point but took all three in a fiery game in which three players were dismissed. Both Hellas and Empoli only needed a draw from their game, Hellas to go up and Empoli to ensure they finished close enough to third place for the playoffs to go ahead, so it was with little surprise that the game ended goalless. Novara had already qualified for the playoffs but the last place was up for grabs with Brescia and Varese clashing, with the visitors just needing a point. Brescia’s relentless pressure paid off for them as they got the result they needed and they will face Livorno this week in the first round of the playoffs, whilst Empoli travel to Novara.
Ascoli were beaten by an injury time winner at Cittadella to send them tumbling down to Lega Pro alongside already relegated Grosseto and Pro Vercelli. They were joined by Vicenza, who avoided the playff spot but needed a win over Reggina to finish within the required five points of the team above them to force a relegation playoff but were frustrated by the visitors and the game finished 0-0. Vicenza only stayed in Serie B last season due to the match fixing issues involving Lecce, but 12 months on they find themselves staring at Lega Pro once more.
Spain
After an absence of 24 years, Elche are back in La Liga, with promotion being confirmed courtesy of Barcelona B drawing with Alcorcon on Saturday. Huge celebrations ensued, despite Elche going down 2-1 to promotion chasing Almeria on Sunday. The game of the weekend was third placed Villarreal hosting second placed Girona and the home side proved too strong as they won 4-1 and climb into second spot as Girona drop to fourth. Las Palmas remain in the last playoff place, still two points ahead of Ponferradina after both teams drew this weekend.
Racing Santander won for the second game running and are only two points behind Mirandes, who sit in the final position of safety. Murcia lost 3-1 at Guadalajara on Monday night and are also two points behind Mirandes. Huesca drew 0-0 with Las Palmas and are five points from safety and should results go against them this weekend, they could join Xerez in relegation from Liga Adelante. Hercules won again to take their unbeaten run to 11 games with a 1-0 win over Mirandes, which was their fifth win on the trot.
