Dortmund crowned in frantic Bundesliga finale

Borussia Dortmund sealed a thrilling Bundesliga race on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Werder Bremen, leaving Bayer Leverkusen still chasing an elusive title and Bayern Munich without any silverware for the first time since 1995. Over 68,000 fans exploded when Dortmund, who had been through lean times since lifting the European Cup in 1997, recaptured their winning habits, an effort from close range by substitute Ewerthon in the 74th minute giving them the edge.

Werder had fought bravely, opening the scoring through Canadian midfielder Paul Stalteri in the 18th minute before towering Czech striker Jan Koller levelled for the home side two minutes from the break.

By the time Ewerthon scored, Bayer Leverkusen, who were leading Hertha Berlin 2-0 courtesy of two goals from Germany midfielder Michael Ballack and eventually won 2-1, were virtually champions.

But the Champions League finalists ended runners-up again, for the fourth time in six seasons, adding weight to their reputation as the nearly men of German soccer.

For the first time in 10 years, three teams were still in contention going into the final round of matches.

But only Dortmund, who entered it one point ahead of Leverkusen with Bayern in third a further point adrift, had their destiny in their own hands.

All three teams won, Bayern beating Hansa Rostock 3-2 with captain Stefan Effenberg, who was injured for his last game for the Munich club, watching from the bench.

HUNTED RECORD

Bayern, who were hunting a record fourth straight title after winning the championship and European Cup last season, had to be content with third place and a spot in the Champions League qualifying round.

Dortmund and Leverkusen will go straight into European club soccer's premier event, with Hertha Berlin, Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen playing the UEFA Cup.

With Freiburg, Cologne and St Pauli already relegated, the fans throughout the soccer-mad country focused on the battle for the title.

Many favoured Leverkusen, because they had played attractive football all season and had won respect with their brilliant Champions League run that has taken all the way to the final on May 15 in Glasgow, where they will meet Real Madrid.

"Of course Germany wanted Leverkusen to make it at last but only the facts count," said Bayern commercial manager Uli Hoeness. "There is no place for sentimentality in this game. You have to recognise Dortmund's achievement. Congratulations to them."

The most bitterly disappointed were the Leverkusen fans. Even if their team, who will take on holders Schalke 04 in the German Cup final next Saturday in Berlin, have plenty more to look forward to, the trophy they wanted the most escaped them again.

"We have to be fair and congratulate Dortmund, even if it does hurt to be only second again," said Leverkusen's dejected-looking commercial manager, Reiner Calmund.

STAYED CALM

Dortmund coach Matthias Sammer, who played in the Dortmund side that upset Juventus 3-1 in the Champions League final five years ago, said earlier this season that his team had not done quite enough to win the title. That was shortly after a 4-0 thrashing by Bayer Leverkusen.

"Surprisingly enough I managed to stay calm," the former Germany libero said after Saturday's drama unfolded.

"The last five minutes were not any more extreme than the whole game."

Borussia goalkeeper Jens Lehmann remembered that Dortmund, who knocked Leverkusen off the top last Saturday, had only moved into contention because Leverkusen lost their previous two league games.

"This is amazing," he said after Dortmund received a timely boost before facing Feyenoord in the UEFA Cup final next Wednesday in Rotterdam. "Until last week we didn't have a chance."

Dortmund president Gerd Niebaum echoed a general feeling by showing sympathy for Leverkusen.

"I have a lot of respect for Leverkusen," he said. "They have two chances still and I'm convinced they will win a title. They deserve it."