Makaay hat-trick sparks Bayern title party

Bayern Munich players celebrate winning the Bundesliga title. Bayern Munich clinched their 19th German championship with Netherlands striker Roy Makaay scoring a hat-trick in a comfortable 4-0 win at Kaiserslautern.

Bayern Munich clinched their 19th German championship with Netherlands striker Roy Makaay scoring a hat-trick in a comfortable 4-0 win at Kaiserslautern.

With three games remaining Bayern are 11 points clear after second-placed Schalke drew 3-3 with ten-man Bayer Leverkusen allowing Munich to celebrate a fifth title in seven seasons.

German international captain Michael Ballack, who won the 1998 title in Kaiserslautern's colours, struck a 19th minute opener against his former club to ease Bayern's nerves.

Ballack picked up a pass from Makaay before producing a lethal turn and shot to break the deadlock.

"We proved today that we are the best team in Germany and deserve to win the title," said Ballack.

Makaay then stole the show netting a sensational hat-trick (35min, 48, 68) to take his season's tally to 15 and more importantly clinch another Bundesliga crown for Bayern.

"I came to Bayern last season to win the title but it did not happen," said Makaay. "Now I have achieved my goal and scoring three goals is the icing on the cake."

For Felix Magath it is a first Bundesliga title in his managerial career and he has the chance to do a league and cup double in his debut season with Schalke facing Bayern in the cup final in Berlin on May 28.

"I am delighted to win the title with Bayern," said Magath.

"We were constantly informed about the Schalke result and when it finished 3-3 we were elated to have won the Bundesliga title."

Schalke have been title contenders for most of the season but must now concentrate on securing second place and an automatic Champions League spot after surrending a 3-1 lead against Leverkusen.

"Congratulations to Bayern they deserved the title," acknowledged Schalke forward Ebbe Sand.

Paul Freier put Leverkusen ahead on 23 minutes but a crazy first period saw the hosts score three goals in 11 minutes.

Brazilian Lincoln equalised on the half hour mark and then shot Schalke in front eight minutes later with his second goal of the game.

Sand made it 3-1 in the 41st minute but Leverkusen stormed back to take a point.

"When you lead 3-1 the game should be wrapped up," explained Schalke manager Ralf Rangnick. "It was a great game but I am more concerned about the two lost points."

Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov reduced the deficit in the 56th minute and Andrei Voronin equalised in the 64th minute as Schalke collapsed.

Bayer had Roque Junior sent off late on but Schalke could not make their numerical advantage count.

Bayern Munich's Michael Ballack (C) celebrates scoring against Kaiserslautern. Bayern clinched their 19th German championship with Netherlands striker Roy Makaay scoring a hat-trick in a comfortable 4-0 win.

Schalke are two points clear of VfB Stuttgart after Matthias Sammer's side fell to a 2-0 reverse at Borussia Monchengladbach.

"Our performance today was just rubbish," raged Sammer.

The win was vital for Gladbach who move five points clear of the relegation zone with third from bottom VfL Bochum tasting a 6-2 home defeat at the hands of Mainz 05.

Hertha Berlin have been the form team in Germany of late but with the stakes at their highest the capital side slumped to a 2-1 reverse at lowly Hansa Rostock.

Hertha stay two points behind Stuttgart but are joined on 53 points by German champions Werder Bremen.

Bremen crushed Arminia Bielefeld 3-0 to stay in the hunt for a Champions League spot and manager Thomas Schaaf must think his luck is in with Schalke, Hertha and Stuttgart all losing crucial points.

SV Hamburg can move level on points with Bremen providing they can take all three points at VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday.

German league table after Saturday's matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

German champions over the past ten seasons: