Rain cannot tarnish Lyon's glory

Fans gathered outside City Hall in Lyon for the second time in as many weeks to celebrate Olympique Lyonnais completing their first domestic double.

Long wait
A week ago, the Hexagoal trophy handed to the winners of Ligue 1 was brandished from the balcony at Lyon City Hall. This Sunday, it was the French Cup, with several thousand braving the rain to take a glimpse at the 90-year-old trophy, which Lyon had not previously won in their remarkable seven-season run of French titles, last taking it in 1973.

'That's history'
Sidney Govou's goal 12 minutes into added time on Saturday earned Lyon a 1-0 final win against Paris Saint-Germain FC at Stade de France. "For 35 years this side have been waiting for a cup win," said midfielder Mathieu Bodmer, who joined Lyon last summer. "That's history. It's a fantastic moment for the players, fans and staff." "It was a tough game," added Govou, after his goal saw Lyon become the first French double winners since AJ Auxerre in 1996. "PSG had a lot of chances but our name is on the trophy and nothing else matters."

Perrin vindicated
Coach Alain Perrin – who has been criticised in the press all season – has won more trophies in a single season than any of his predecessors under Aulas, including Jacques Santini, Paul Le Guen and Gérard Houllier. Club president Jean-Michel Aulas said: "Even in tough seasons we can win trophies. We have finished the season with our best results ever." The game also marked the end of Grégory Coupet's Lyon career with the goalkeeper, who has starred in all seven of the title wins, deciding to move on in the summer.