Quevilly relishing ´game of a lifetime´

Quevilly coach Regis Brouard says the French third-tier club’s run to the Coupe de France final is reward for three years of dedication.

Semi-professional Quevilly take on Lyon, France’s second-wealthiest club, in the final in Paris on Saturday.

Brouard, a former player for Montpellier, has introduced a professional attitude, including daily training sessions and proper diets, if not full-time contracts for his entire squad.

“We have been working together for the last three years,” Brouard said in the lead up to Saturday’s final.

“We have implemented a game plan, players have agreed to it, they are now part of our system.

“On and off the pitch, we now trust each other, we are close to one another and everyone has a good spirit.”

Although no one expects Quevilly to win, the tiny club from the northern French town of Le Petit-Quevilly have developed a great cup reputation in recent years.

Quevilly made the semi-finals two years ago, have knocked out 10 Ligue 1 sides in their history and have eliminated both Marseille and Rennes on their way to the 2012 final.

Brouard’s team is the third side from below the top two tiers of French football to qualify for the Coupe de France final in the last 20 years.

Anthony Laup, who scored Quevilly’s winning goal in the semi-final against Rennes, has warned Lyon to not underestimate his team.

“Well, obviously Lyon is the favourite but we demonstrated in the previous games that we can do great things,” Laup said.

“So we hope to keep things like this in mind. Lyon are favourites but I can assure you we are going to give everything.”

Brouard agrees.

“Let’s face it, it’s the game of a lifetime for most of us,” the 45-year-old coach said. “It’s my wish that everyone gets to experience something like this.

“Today, we have this final in front of us. We have to realise the importance of it.

“It might well be a one-off so we need to get it right.”