Toulouse edge Bordeaux Begles in extra-time thriller to secure third straight Top 14 title
Toulouse claimed their third consecutive Top 14 title and a record-extending 24th French championship by beating Bordeaux Begles 39-33 after extra time in a dramatic final on Saturday.
Thomas Ramos kicked two penalties in the last five minutes for Toulouse after Bordeaux's Maxime Lucu had converted a penalty on the hooter to take the game into extra time at 33-33.
A try from Anthony Jelonch and a brace from Jack Willis put champions Toulouse in control of the match but Damian Penaud, Matthieu Jalibert and Guido Petti also crossed the tryline to keep Bordeaux in touch.
Petti and Pierre Bochaton were handed yellow cards and Toulouse, missing talisman Antoine Dupont, won their 11th consecutive final, a year after routing Bordeaux Begles 59-3 in the title match.
After Toulouse and Bordeaux traded penalties, the holders capitalised on Petti's yellow card to score the opening try when Jelonch found a gap in the defence.
Bordeaux responded quickly, however, when Penaud latched on to Maxime Lucu's kick to touch down.
Willis restored Toulouse's lead with a powerful finish from a driving maul just before halftime and the English flanker crossed for a second try after Jalibert had dotted down under the posts for Bordeaux.
Lock Petti kept the game alive when he went over from a wide position for Bordeaux before Lucu sent the game into extra time.
France internationals Romain Ntamack and Louis Bielle-Biarrey did not reappear after halftime, the former due to a shoulder injury and the latter who was playing his first match after suffering a concussion.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
Master meets maestro as Luis Enrique prepares PSG for Messi challenge
June 28 (Reuters) - Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique will face former protege Lionel Messi on Sunday in a Club World Cup clash at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium that pits the European champions against Inter Miami's team of former Barcelona veterans. The 54-year-old Spaniard, who led PSG to the Champions League crown in May, will now be tasked with confronting the same player who helped him secure nine major titles during their distinguished three-year association at Barcelona. "I had the chance to coach Leo Messi at the peak of his game. But his peak has actually lasted 10–15 years or more," Enrique told reporters on Saturday. "That's why I'd say he's the best football player in history... I had the chance to win every possible title with him at Barcelona." However, the PSG coach warned there is more to Inter Miami than just Messi. "There's no doubt whatsoever that they have the right skills and quality," he added, noting that the American side's lineup features former Barcelona players Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez. Asked about neutralising the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Enrique stressed a collective approach. "If we want to stop Leo Messi, we can't rely on just one player because we'll be dead. We need collective defence, he can dribble past any player." Despite being favourites, PSG remain driven after lifting the Champions League trophy. "We just won the Champions League, but we're thirsty and eager to keep showing that there's room for improvement," he said. "What better place to do so than here in this amazing stadium, facing a team that includes Messi?" Luis Enrique also highlighted the involvement of former mentee Javier Mascherano as the opposing coach. "He has everything it takes to become a top coach. I'm not surprised because I knew Mascherano very well as a player. He has been ready for a long time," he said. Mascherano acknowledged the scale of the task facing PSG. "We are not naive and we know that we are the weaker team, but that doesn't mean that they will kill us beforehand. We will fight," the Argentine manager told reporters. "The challenge tomorrow is to test ourselves against the best team in the world. We know how difficult the match will be." The knockout encounter represents a significant test for both sides, with PSG seeking to add global honours to their European success while Inter Miami aim to prove themselves against elite opposition.
Reuters
7 hours ago
- Reuters
Toulouse edge out Bordeaux to secure third straight Top 14 crown
PARIS, June 28 (Reuters) - Toulouse claimed their third consecutive Top 14 title and a record-extending 24th French championship by beating Bordeaux Begles 39-33 after extra time in a dramatic final on Saturday. Thomas Ramos kicked two penalties in the last five minutes for Toulouse after Bordeaux's Maxime Lucu had converted a penalty on the hooter to take the game into extra time at 33-33. A try from Anthony Jelonch and a brace from Jack Willis put champions Toulouse in control of the match but Damian Penaud, Matthieu Jalibert and Guido Petti also crossed the tryline to keep Bordeaux in touch. Petti and Pierre Bochaton were shown yellow cards and Toulouse, missing talisman Antoine Dupont, won their 11th consecutive final, a year after routing Bordeaux Begles 59-3 in the title match. "Emotions are unbelievable. The scenario is crazy", Jelonch said on France TV. "We were exhausted after 80 minutes, we played 100. When you see all the players' emotions, this one is the most beautiful of all." Bordeaux's Jalibert said he was proud of his side. "We were strong but the coin didn't fall on our side", the fly-half said on France TV. "I think we can keep our heads up. I'm proud of the team because after last year's disappointment, we wanted to come back here." After Toulouse and Bordeaux traded penalties, the holders capitalised on Petti's yellow card to score the opening try when Jelonch found a gap in the defence. Bordeaux responded quickly, however, when Penaud latched on to Maxime Lucu's kick to touch down. Willis restored Toulouse's lead with a powerful finish from a driving maul just before halftime and the English flanker crossed for a second try after Jalibert had dotted down under the posts for Bordeaux. Lock Petti kept the game alive when he went over from a wide position for Bordeaux before Lucu sent the game into extra time. France internationals Romain Ntamack and Louis Bielle-Biarrey did not reappear after halftime, the former due to a shoulder injury while the latter was playing his first match after suffering a concussion.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Toulouse edge Bordeaux Begles in extra-time thriller to secure third straight Top 14 title
Toulouse claimed their third consecutive Top 14 title and a record-extending 24th French championship by beating Bordeaux Begles 39-33 after extra time in a dramatic final on Saturday. Thomas Ramos kicked two penalties in the last five minutes for Toulouse after Bordeaux's Maxime Lucu had converted a penalty on the hooter to take the game into extra time at 33-33. A try from Anthony Jelonch and a brace from Jack Willis put champions Toulouse in control of the match but Damian Penaud, Matthieu Jalibert and Guido Petti also crossed the tryline to keep Bordeaux in touch. Petti and Pierre Bochaton were handed yellow cards and Toulouse, missing talisman Antoine Dupont, won their 11th consecutive final, a year after routing Bordeaux Begles 59-3 in the title match. After Toulouse and Bordeaux traded penalties, the holders capitalised on Petti's yellow card to score the opening try when Jelonch found a gap in the defence. Bordeaux responded quickly, however, when Penaud latched on to Maxime Lucu's kick to touch down. Willis restored Toulouse's lead with a powerful finish from a driving maul just before halftime and the English flanker crossed for a second try after Jalibert had dotted down under the posts for Bordeaux. Lock Petti kept the game alive when he went over from a wide position for Bordeaux before Lucu sent the game into extra time. France internationals Romain Ntamack and Louis Bielle-Biarrey did not reappear after halftime, the former due to a shoulder injury and the latter who was playing his first match after suffering a concussion.
