Celebrations in Rosario as Newell’s are champions

Celebrations erupted yesterday in Rosario as Newell’s Old Boys were finally crowned the champions of this year’s Torneo Final. Lanus were unable to turn around their game in La Plata against Estudiantes. Trailing 2-0 the match was abandoned after the death of a Lanus supporter and so with the second half to play Lanus needed to reverse this to keep their feint hopes of winning the title. Failing to do so gives Newell’s an unassailable lead going into the final round of fixtures and sees them win the title for the first time since 2004 and the sixth in their history.

The result in the afternoon led to people flooding the streets of Rosario to celebrate despite later in the evening the side having to play in Cordoba in the Copa Argentina. Perhaps having watched the game at the hotel and in the knowledge that they had just won the title there is some explanation for their defeat at the hands of Talleres de Cordoba. However, that could not dampen the spirits as the players arrived back in Rosario to a heroes welcome.

It is worth noting the dramatic change in fortunes for Newell’s since Gerardo Martino’s appointment as manager in 2011. Arriving with the club’s relegation average looking perilous Martino has overseen a dramatic improvement and brought in some very valuable players, namely the league’s top scorer (again) Ignacio Scocco, and the experience of Maxi Rodriguez and Gabriel Heinze.

As a player, Martino won the Clausura in 1992 under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa and he has obviously learnt a great deal from the hugely successful veteran. Newell’s now have their Copa Libertadores semi final ahead of them and an already great season could yet turn into the greatest in the club’s history.