Cup outsiders dream big around Europe in year of surprises

This season’s FA Cup has thrown up plenty of upsets, but there are more fairytales being written on the continent

If you’re looking for cup magic, nowhere can match the Coupe de France in recent years. In the past three decades, Guingamp, in 2009, may be the only second-tier winners but 10 teams from outside Ligue 1 have reached the final since 2006, and five of those were from the third tier or lower. There could be another this year, with Cannes, who play in France’s regionalised fourth tier, making it to the final four. They have played eight matches to get this far without facing a top-flight side, but have dispatched three Ligue 2 teams – Grenoble, Lorient and Guingamp – at home.

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