My Coupe runneth over: All the big guns are still there, barely

By: Sam | January 7th, 2007

Not only in France, but everywhere, it’s no secret that amateur clubs love Cup competition, it gives them a chance to earn some media attention and if they’re lucky, a win over a prominent club. France is no different. It’s actually a surprise when there are little upsets, seeing as in here, we have a few teams that, whilst being no more than okay in their conferences, they manage to “surprise” the whole country by packing a whole lotta sending the big boys home. Lyon-La Duchère, competing in CFA2 (Div. 5) and Calais, in CFA (League Two equivalent) are the two teams that jump out when you know your Coupe de France trivia well enough.

Amateurs they are, but the Cup seems to have a thing for them. Calais created an unfathomable surprise in 2000 when they won ten straight matches in the CdF, including wins against Lille, Strasbourg and Bordeaux, and lost the final 2-1 against Nantes, who were the powerhouse at the time. Last season, they got to the round of 16, and lost against Nantes again.

AS Lyon-Duchère, the little engine that almost could last go-round, turned heads by offing Strasbourg and Toulouse, and go to the last 16, where they lost against Paris-SG.

Those two got their place in the last 32 this weekend, as Calais kept Ligue 1 outfit Lorient at bay, and breezed past them 2-0. The other Lyon side, beat a less remarkable team, Sannois Saint-Gratien of the third division.

But now to talk about teams that you just may know a little better, I’ll start by saying that the big names are still there. But, as the title of this article suggests, just barely. Lille, Monaco and Paris went through easily against lower-ranked teams, but the two ever big names, Marseille and Lyon, had to work to achieve what they wanted to.

Lyon, visiting CFA’s Bayonne, were of course everyone’s favourite to win by a few dozen goals. But to finally win, they needed an own goal by one of Bayonne’s defenders. A late and great equalizer by the unstoppable Juninho saw them squeak by, 2-1. Phew.

Marseille, heading north to meet Cambrai, also of CFA, had their scare as well. Led by a Cissé goal early on, they were drawn back by a Cambrai free kick in the second half. In extra time, with both fans shivering from the cold and the intensity, OM decided enough was enough, and two more by Cissé and a finish by Maoulida saw Marseille win 4-1. Note: Cissé did get a new hairdo. Sigh.

Next round, being played on the 20th and 21st of January, will feature two Ligue 1 matchups, that being Monaco and Toulouse, and the yummy Le Mans-Marseille. Lyon will welcome CFA2’s Laon to their humble abode, and I just can’t wait to see the result. Paris-SG drew L2’s Gueugnon.

To cap off, I’ll answer Laurie’s INCESSANT and INFURIATING demands for highlights by posting a few here. Sorry, I couldn’t find Lyon. And I’m sure Benzema did just fine.
Libourne Saint-Seurin 4-2 Troyes
Valenciennes 2-1 Caen
A recap of a few games can be seen here
And here is the video of Marseille’s victory in extra-time.

Cambrai_1-4_Marseille
envoyé par om31220

Oh, and Laurie, you know I’m kidding! Your requests are simply adorable!