Bruges win first Belgian title for 11 years
Belgian giants FC Bruges ended 11 years of frustration on Sunday by winning their domestic title thanks to a 4-0 thumping of Anderlecht, the only side that could have denied them the crown.
A first-half brace from Malian Abdoulaye Diaby followed by goals from Belgians Hans Vanaken and Timmy Simons in the second period gave Bruges their first title since 2005 and 14th overall.
They lead Anderlecht by six points with two matches left in the season but cannot now be overtaken.
The Belgian league terminates with a six-team round-robin play-off but in the case of a tie, the teams' finishing positions from the the regular season come into play -- and Bruges had topped the standings.
Bruges have therefore qualified directly for the Champions League group stages next season.