Bill Murray celebrates as Chicago Cubs end 108-year curse

The Chicago Clubs have won Major League Baseball's World Series for the first time 108 years, finally breaking the Curse of the Billy Goat - one of sport's longest running hoodoos.

They triumphed in spectacular fashion, beating the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in the tenth inning of a "thrilling game", says the Daily Telegraph. "Prompting joy, excitement and a level of joy only attainable when it's mixed with genuine disbelief."

The curse dates back to 1945, reports The Times, and was placed on them by William Sianis owner of the Billy Goat Tavern.

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"It is believed he was asked to leave Wrigley Field, the Cubs’ home ground, during the 1945 World Series because the smell of his pet goat Murphy was bothering other fans," says the paper.

"Sianis is said to have sent a telegram to Philip Wrigley, the former owner of the Chicago Cubs, in which he declared: 'You are going to lose this World Series and you are never going to win another World Series again... because you insulted my goat.'"

The Times adds that the Cubs went on to lose the 1945 World Series 4-3 despite leading 2-1 at the time of Sianis’s ejection from the stadium.

Among those moved to tears by the team's victory was actor Bill Murray, who showered journalists with champagne before asking one to recycle the bottle for him.