Plabennec upset Nice in French Cup

Relegation-threatened Third Division side Plabennec claimed the biggest scalp of the French Cup thus far this weekend when they knocked First Division Nice out in the last-32.

Goals from captain Jean-Michel Abiven and an own goal from defender Gerald Cid saw them come from behind – France international striker Loic Remy having given Nice the lead in the 13th minute – to record a famous if unlikely victory.

Their coach Franck Kerdiles, while delighted to have defeated a First Division team, remained realistic about their real target for the season.

“The priority is to stay up, it is vital to bring the team back down to earth for the challenge ahead,” he said.

His Nice counterpart Didier Olle-Nicolle was left fuming by what he saw as a totally unprofessional performance by a team that itself is hovering just above the relegation zone.

“The worry is that certain of the senior players did not perform at all in the second-half,” he said. “That is a rank lack of professionalism and highlights our mental fragility.”

French giants Paris Saint Germain and Marseille were both playing later on Sunday against fifth division opposition in the form of Trelissac and Aubervilliers respectively.