The Camp Nou celebrates the title

The league championship celebrations announced after beating Celta were a mass display of euphoria. On a night full of emotions, the players and supporters demonstrated yet another show of unity as Puyol collected the league trophy on everybody's behalf.

A few minutes before ten o'clock in the evening, stadium announcer Manel Vic called the name of Carles Puyol. In the Camp Nou centre circle, Spanish federation president Ángel Maria Villar handed the FC Barcelona captain the league trophy. Puyol held it aloft and dedicated it to every one of the Barcelona supporters, and then both players and coaching staff alike gathered for the official championship winning photo.

Lap of honour

With Camp Nou floodlights dimmed, some of the side's best goals of the season were shown on the stadium scoreboard. Local rock group 'Els Gossos' played their own particular version of the Barça anthem before the players did the traditional lap of honour with Eléctrica Dharma supplying the background music.

Speeches with Paris on their minds

In the first of the speeches, coach Frank Rijkaard said: "Here we are again celebrating a title. It is like a dream come true. And we still have to go to Paris. Yes, yes, yes, we are going to Paris. I want to thank you for your support. It was essential for us all. Congratulations to the club and, naturally, to the players." Rijkaard ended his speech with a bow to his players.

Captain Carles Puyol was next to speak and also wished to thank the Barcelona fans. "We can promise you that we will keep on working and fighting to make history and giving you more reasons for joy like this. I hope we will be meeting again very soon to celebrate the Champions League". The whole stadium chanted their captain's name.

Henrik Larsson also spoke after playing his last game at the Camp Nou in a Barcelona shirt. "I am very happy" he said. "It has been a pleasure to play for this team and these coaches".

And finally Gabri, whose contract ends on June 30, wanted to say a few words. "It has been a very special day that I will never forget" he said. "And wherever I go, I will always have Barça in my heart".

End of the party

The celebrations ended with fireworks and human towers, with everybody hoping that this would not the only time such events would be witnessed this season at the Camp Nou.

Players parade around city

On Sunday the first team football and roller hockey teams will be parading around the city in two open topped busses. The convoy will be completed by a third bus that will be supplying the music. On Tuesday, Rijkaard will start getting his team ready for the trip to Paris.