CSKA crowned Russian champion

CSKA Moscow has been crowned champion of Russia thanks to a 0-0 draw with Kuban Krasnodar on Friday.

The capital giants could only play out a stalemate against the Europa League hopefuls, but Zenit St Petersburg side cannot now claim a third straight title having accrued too few victories in comparison to Leonid Slutsky's men with just two matches to spare.

CSKA's coach, who was appointed as Juande Ramos' successor at the back end of 2009, was quick to pay tribute to the club's fans in the wake of their Russian Premier League success.

"This victory is for you because you have supported us the whole season, who filled the Khimki Arena in suburban Moscow," said Slutsky.
Alan Dzagoev also picked up his maiden championship medal at the tender age of 22 and the Russia international spoke of his delight at breaking his trophy duck.

"This is my first title so it's hard to describe how I feel," the midfielder told NTV Plus. "I can't describe it. Just happiness. The only problem was that we couldn't score, although we came close several times."

This weekend's title triumph was the 11th in CSKA's history and its first since 2006.