French Cup Final (Spoilers)

[Leggster]

Unfancied Guingamp claim French Cup glory

Eduardo scored twice as EA Guingamp became the first Ligue 2 side to win the French Cup final in 50 years, coming from a goal behind to overcome top-flight Stade Rennais FC 2-1 in the all-Breton affair at the Stade de France.

Bocanegra opener
Two-time cup winners Rennes, seventh in Ligue 1 and the overwhelming favourites in the final, appeared set to scupper the dream of the side 13th in the second tier when Carlos Bocanegra opened the scoring with 20 minutes left but Eduardo had other ideas. The Brazilian levelled within two minutes then struck a dramatic winner to give Guingamp their first trophy since the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1996 and a place in next season's UEFA Europa League.

Douchez influence
Home to just 9,000 people, Guingamp had most of the chances in the first half with opposition goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez making key saves from Eduardo and Richard Soumah, although Rennes arguably went closest when Jérôme Leroy struck the bar from 25 metres. Moussa Sow was also denied by the frame of the goal after the interval but Guy Lacombe's side were finally rewarded when Bruno Cheyrou's free-kick from the right was headed in by defender Bocanegra.

Eduardo response
Lacombe, who held the reins at Guingamp from 1999 to 2002 and led them into the top division in 1999/00, admitted before the game that the club were "special" to him and his former employers replied to the setback with a distinctive response. Eduardo capitalised on Petter Hansson's miscued clearance to fire the equaliser past Douchez, the first time the custodian had conceded in the cup campaign, then converted Lionel Mathis's pass with an effort off the post on 83 minutes.

'Magnificent' achievement
The underdogs were then capable of resisting a late surge to complete a third victory over a Ligue 1 side in the competition this season. "It's magnificent," Eduardo said. "I don't feel like the hero of the game because the team are the hero, experienced players staying calm all throughout the game."

Source : UEFA.com

[TheLionLyon]

Leroy blew way too many chances for Rennes. Great atmosphere also. Good luck to Guingamp in the Europa League.

[drac78]

Guingamp in the Europa League...great, just what we needed, another team that will bring us 0 point in Europe

[hibby1875]

Originally Posted by drac78

Guingamp in the Europa League...great, just what we needed, another team that will bring us 0 point in Europe

Well, if it makes you feel better, Scotland's got Falkirk!

Congrats to Guingamp, Stade Rennais and Breton in general. My aunt's from St. Malo and I love the folk there.

Mind you, if they get their way and gain independence from France, then no more French League/Cups.

[TheLionLyon]

Originally Posted by drac78

Guingamp in the Europa League...great, just what we needed, another team that will bring us 0 point in Europe

Guingamp are going to pull a Lyon and sign all the best players from Ligue 2 with an added incentive of playing in Europe. They should go after Paul Alo'o, but he might be signed by a Ligue 1 club next year, and raid Montpellier if they don't get promoted. It all depends on their seeding in the playoff-round.

[drac78]

Originally Posted by TheLionLyon

Guingamp are going to pull a Lyon and sign all the best players from Ligue 2 with an added incentive of playing in Europe. They should go after Paul Alo'o, but he might be signed by a Ligue 1 club next year, and raid Montpellier if they don't get promoted. It all depends on their seeding in the playoff-round.

if Ligue 1 clubs suck in Europe, imagine what a team full of Ligue 2 players who are not even good enough for Ligue 1 will do

Originally Posted by hibby1875

Well, if it makes you feel better, Scotland's got Falkirk!

Is it that easy to win the Scottish cup? First, Gretna, then Queen of the South and now the team that finished at the bottom of the premier league

[jimmy]

Originally Posted by drac78

Is it that easy to win the Scottish cup? First, Gretna, then Queen of the South and now the team that finished at the bottom of the premier league

scottish entry into the uefa cup and newly done europa league is ridiculous.

every season there's one or two teams thrown into the equation who are like a fish out of water when it comes to european football - hopefully this season it'll be different! 2 teams initially in the champions league and 4 in europa league, surely a handful can progress into proper rounds of competition this time round