Summary
In the heart of the Basque country, a thrilling quest begins this weekend as amateur football clubs gear up for the coveted round of 64 in the Coupe de France. A coveted milestone, the fourth round promises the glory of donning the official “Coupe de France” jerseys. This Saturday, September 14th, and Sunday, September 15th, nine spirited teams from the region will embark on this challenging journey, each hoping to etch their names into cup history. However, the draw has cast a shadow over the Basque clubs. Yet, the Aviron Bayonnais (N3) finds a silver lining as they enter the fray against the unassuming Entente Saint-Martin – Geloux (D2), a match that reveals a five-tier difference. Expectations are high, and barring an unforeseen calamity, Alain Pochat’s players—fresh off two consecutive league victories—are favored to advance. This match may grant precious minutes to some players hungry for action on the pitch. The stage will also be set for a local derby under the lights at Exteparea, where Ustaritz (R3) faces off against Arin Luzien (R1). For the Luzien striker Pablo Bayona—who honed his skills with the Labourdins—this match holds a special significance. The Arin team must elevate their game to overcome their rivals in this intense matchup. Simultaneously, Saint-Pierre-d’Irube (R2) will welcome the Landais from Saint-Paul-lès-Dax (R1), in a face-off between two teams both struggling with relegation blues from last summer. The Hiriburutars, led by Mohamed Akki, approach the contest with nothing to lose, making it a true clash of grit and determination. Then we have Hasparren, who, fresh from a demotion to R2, faces a daunting challenge against the ambitious Arcachon (N3), a squad that has enjoyed a flawless start to their league campaign. The pressure is on Philippe Etchemendy’s players following their earlier defeat against a reserve team—an uphill struggle awaits them at Xapitalia. And what of Tarnos? Saturday night presents a golden opportunity for Tarnos (R3) as they host Dax (D1) at Mabillet, in pursuit of reclaiming a spot in the fourth round—a dream that has eluded them for a whopping fifteen years. As Sunday rolls in, the hopes for qualification remain alive. The Croisés de Bayonne (R2) are tipped to enjoy a favorable outing when they journey to Arbus to take on FC3A (D1). Meanwhile, the JAB squad, under the guidance of Denis Stinat (R2), brace themselves for a tough fixture against the formidable Asmur (R1) at Rontignon, approaching the game with cautious optimism. Finally, in the charming locale of Esquilemborde, underdogs Saint-Palais (D2) must leap over a colossal gap of four divisions to conquer Lescar (R1). The magic of the Coupe de France is renowned for its unpredictability, and we can only wonder—could this be our moment for surprises in Amikuze?
Original Source: www.sudouest.fr
