Giant-killing Chambéry lapping up the limelight

SO Chambéry became the first fifth-tier side to knock out three top-flight clubs in one Coupe de France campaign when they defeated FC Sochaux-Montbéliard in the round of 16 on Wednesday.

The Savoy outfit, who ply their trade in the Championnat de France Amateur 2, were 1-0 down inside 21 minutes as Ideye Brown broke the deadlock at Chambéry's Stade Municipal. They bounced back, though, to upset tenth-placed Sochaux and the history books. Fabien Tissot-Rosset equalised after the hour, before Aïssa Yahia-Bey struck a 25-metre winner 19 minutes from time.

It proved the latest instalment in a remarkable journey on which David Guion's charges have already defeated AS Monaco FC – in the round of 64 – and Stade Brestois 29, both on penalties. It is the Sochaux triumph, however, which ensures Chambéry a place in the annals of the 94-year-old competition. USJA Carquefou beat AS Nancy-Lorraine and Olympique de Marseille in 2008, but Paris Saint-Germain FC denied them a hat-trick of scalps akin to that achieved by Chambéry.

Currently seventh in the fifth flight, Chambéry tread in the footsteps of four other fifth division sides in reaching the Coupe de France quarter-finals. RC Arras were the first to do so in 1949, with FC Rouen, SC Schiltigheim and USJA Carquefou following suit in the past 12 years – all lost their last-eight ties.

"It really is unique," said Guion. "I want the players to enjoy these moments of pure happiness. They were working yesterday and will be back tomorrow, but tonight is their night. We were lucky that Sochaux failed to finish us off after their first goal in the first half. Then we found the leveller and the last 20 minutes were heroic after Aïssa's goal."

"We have doubled the prize money for the players in the last two games but we have no money left," added club president Patrick Davoine. "The players and coach have done an outstanding job."

Chambéry are setting their sights on becoming the first team from their division to get to the semi-finals. Only Calais RUFC, in 1999/2000, have contested the final itself as amateurs, though they were a tier higher at the time. Guion's men will discover their quarter-final opponents in Sunday's draw, with the ties scheduled for 1 and 2 March.