My Coupe runneth over: Now that’s what I call nuts

By: Sam | January 31st, 2007

I’m sure every single one have read, or have been read by someone else the epic novel that is The Little Engine That Could. You know the plot consists of a train who against all odds to overcome one big mountain. Olympique de Marseille staged an impromptu reenactment of the well-known children’s story this Wednesday, in an unspeakably intense and incredible scenario in the last 16 of the Coupe de France. Here is the recap, and that of all the other matches.

Marseille 2-1 Lyon
Playing in front of a wealthier crowd than usual, the hometown OM was up against the king of the jungle, currently in one hell of a slump but immensely talented all the same. Cris scored the game’s first goal for the visitors before the clock struck twenty minutes, providing a strange conclusion to Juninho’s free kick. During the rest of the match, Marseille, unequivocably dominating, scared their opponents when Cissé blasted his strike off Coupet’s post on 72 minutes. Pressing and pressing, OM still seemed destined for elimination with five minutes remaining. But what the hell, they figured, and went on to equalize through substitute Mickaël Pagis on 87 minutes, on a fine volley that left Coupet helpless. Three minutes later, the hosts concluded the impossible when the other substitute, Mamadou Niang, who headed home the winner from Beye’s cross. In the end, Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome exploded with exctasy when the ref blew the final whistle, to see Marseille beat Lyon 2-1 in the last 16 of the Coupe de France. Yeah, seriously.

Monaco 0-2 Sochaux
This match pretty much summed up these two sides’ entire seasons so far. Sochaux displayed brilliant offense, and came away with a good result, whereas Monaco was practically invisible and decieved their hometown (or should I say homeprincipality) fans. Sochaux’s totally merited victory started when Pitau netted a most beautiful goal by perfectly blasting the ball into Ruffier’s top right corner. Youth international Anthony Le Tallec was perfectly placed to finish off a great combination from Pichot with a superb header.

Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Valenciennes
PSG, ever the eyebrow-raisers, continued their quest for their second consecutive Coupe de France at home against Valenciennes, who had beat them in that very stadium not fifteen days earlier. Having not won in eleven league games, Paris’ turn to shine came when in the 55th minute, VAFC’s keeper Penneteau completely screwed up, almost handing the ball directly to Rodriguez’s feet, and the Uruguayan made no mistake and slid in the game’s only goal. Paris-SG, with a little luck, look not too bad going into the quarter-finals, watch out…

Libourne Saint-Seurin (Ligue 2) 1-2 Sedan
Sedan, current lanterne rouge of Ligue 1, had the chance to get something done when they travelled to Ligue 2 strugglers Libourne. Kébé however put the hosts in front just before the interval on a rebound of the “gimme” variety. Not to be outdone, Sedan’s Joseph-Désiré Job notched two goals, fifteen minutes apart, on a defensive miscommunication and on Boutabout’s impressive run. That proved to be enough to see Sedan continue their redeeming process in the Coupe.

Montpellier (Ligue 2) 0-2 (a.e.t.) Vannes (National)
After a scoreless 90 minutes, the two sides headed to extra time to see who would have dragonslaying duties in the quarter-finals. To Montpellier’s chagrin, the amateur club proved to be the mightier, scoring two goals in as many minutes through Le Bouc and Rijilo. It’ll be interesting to see what they can muster in the next round…

Montceau-Les-Mines (CFA) 2-2 (5-4 p.s.o.) Bordeaux
In an other upset, perhaps the most surprising statistically, happened in favor of Tier 4 club Montceau, who ended Bordeaux’s CdF campaign in dramatic fashion. The favourites drew first blood on 25 minutes through Perea. Never giving up, the adorable little amateurs got the unbelieveable equalizer on 90 minutes by Kambou, sending the game into extra time. Wendel scored for Bordeaux after only two minutes of play in the additional period. Before being reduced to ten men, Montceau pulled back thanks to Benhassine. Nothing more would come of that, so the game was decided on penalties. After seeing both teams convert all but one each, Dalmat had the game on the end of his foot, but his shot was saved by the funnily named Crétin. Whodathunkit? Anything can happen with these small clubs…

Clermont (National) 1-4 Lens
Up against potential Ligue 2 residents for next year, Lens had a tall order to carry out, but regardless, they got it done. Seydou Keita got the first on a quick strike on twenty minutes. Cousin provided the second for the nordistes, and Clermont’s Darchy own goaled it to crush all hope of a comeback, before Eric Carrière finished off his impressive run and put the visitors up 4-0. Clermont got the consolation through the same Darchy six minutes later, but I think you can say it didn’t matter.

Nantes 1-0 (a.e.t.) Lille
After a generally uneventful match, which still saw Barthez make a stupendous save off Audel a few minutes before half-time. With the match seemingly going into penalties, substitute Claudio Keserü gave FCNA the unlikely win with a brilliant free kick on 120 minutes. Seems Marseille set a good example in the last round.