Calais in exalted company

All but one of the French Cup quarter-finalists have won the trophy before - but tiny Calais RUFC have unfinished business as they take on FC Nantes Atlantique.

Calais chance
Fourth division Calais were the sensations of the 1999/00 season when they battled to the French Cup final only to lose to Nantes. The two sides will be reunited on Wednesday night at RC Lens's Stade Félix-Bollaert as Calais look to become the only non-tournament winner in the last four.

Marseille mission
Tuesday, however, sees the biggest tie of the round as Ligue 1 champions-elect Olympique Lyonnais tackle Olympique de Marseille. "It will be a game for men, not boys," warned Lyon coach Gérard Houllier, while captain Claudio Caçapa added: "We want this cup."

No1 status
The Coupe de France is the only domestic trophy to have eluded Lyon this decade, but perhaps the biggest prize on offer tonight will be No1 spot in the national team. Marseille's Fabien Barthez is eager to take that honour ahead of Lyon's Grégory Coupet, and Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech will be an interested onlooker.

Easy PSG
In this evening's other tie, Paris Saint-Germain FC will seek to improve their chances of European qualification for next season when they entertain LOSC Lille Métropole, who are tiring after a 50-game campaign and have not won in a month. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Stade Rennais FC meet Montpellier HSC, who lie tenth in the second division. Rennes will be without striker John Utaka but should be undeterred given they are on an eight-match winning streak.

Last-four draw
The draw for the semi-finals will take place at midday on Thursday with the ties to be played on 20 April. The final will be held at the Stade de France on 29 April. A UEFA Cup spot is on offer for the winners, or the runners-up if the winners qualify for the UEFA Champions League.