Romance is not dead for Carquefou

US Jeanne D'Arc Carquefou playmaker Sébastien Le Paih said "heart and guts" were the key to the amateurs' latest French Cup win against Olympique de Marseille.

Surprises still
Idrissa N'Doye's goal seven minutes into Wednesday's last-16 tie, played in front of a crowd of 38,000 at La Beaujoire in Nantes, saw Carquefou bring ten-time French Cup winners OM – losing finalists the last two seasons – to ground to remind the world that, despite being 90 years old, France's premier knockout competition continues to spring surprises on even the most established clubs.

'Heart and guts'
Coached by Denis Renaud, Carquefou play in the amateur fifth division of the French footballing pyramid and boast a squad containing barmen, students, bankers and PE teachers. Former Nantes player Le Paih, who set up N'Doye's goal, said: "We train a bit less than professional players. We are not as gifted as our opponents but we put all our heart and guts into these games."

Modest budget
Carquefou lie 14th in their own 16-team league, but have been a thorn in the side of much bigger opponents in the cup this season. The side from 5km north-west of Nantes had already knocked out second division FC Gueugnon before accounting for Ligue 1 side AS Nancy-Lorraine in the Round of 32, winning 2-1 in extra time. Not bad going for a side with an annual budget of around €460,000.

Diouf magnanimous
Renaud's men will now represent France's 22,000 amateur sides in Sunday's quarter-final draw, with the chance of facing Olympique Lyonnais or FC Girondins de Bordeaux in the last eight ties on 15 or 16 April. They go on with Marseille president Pape Diouf's blessing, despite his side's defeat. "I wish them good luck," he said. "Such results add to the French Cup legend."