Guingamp dethroned as French Cup holders

French Second Division side Guingamp’s reign as French Cup holders ended on Tuesday when they were beaten 1-0 by First Division strugglers Boulogne-sur-Mer in their last 16 match.

A fine 25 yard strike by midfielder Alexandre Cuvillier on the hour mark was enough to separate the sides and book Boulogne’s place in the last eight – a feat they last achieved in 2005 when they were a mere fourth division side.

Both starting line-ups, though, reflected where their priorities lie as sevberal normal first choice players were either left out of the squad completely or were on the substitutes bench.

Guingamp coach Victor Zvunka – whose side are a lowly 18th in the Second Division – was philosophical in defeat, though, he conceded that he had targetted reaching the last eight.

“I fixed as my objective to get to at least the quarter-finals,” said Zvunka.

“One has to be realistic, for a second division team to reach the final two seasons in a row, one has to be dreaming.”

His Boulogne counterpart Guyot was delighted to have received a welcome psychological boost ahead of several crucial league matches – starting with Lille on Saturday – as they battle to avoid an immediate return to the Second Division, which sees them presently seven points adrift of fourth from bottom Le Mans.

“We are very happy to have qualified,” said Guyot, who heard calls for his resignation for the first time this season following the 2-0 defeat by Montpellier last Saturday.

“Still one has to be calm as this means we are only in the last eight.

“Without actually making a comment about the present situation in the championship, it is in any case an achievement to have gone so far in this competition.

“We await the draw to know who we will face, but whoever it is we will play that match with a certain liberated feeling with the target of making the last four.”

There was to be no upset either in another last 16 tie as mid-table First Division outfit Sochaux – the team mainly made up of second string players – disposed of third division Beauvais 4-1.