On to New Caledonia: the fifth division team travels halfway around the world for a cup match

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Cup competitions write wonderful stories. It doesn’t matter in which country, at any level. The French fifth division team US Thionville Lusitanos is now immortalized in one of these special cup stories. The amateurs from the city of 40,000 inhabitants near the German border traveled no less than 16,315 kilometers to play in the Coupe de France. To the paradise island of New Caledonia.

Between palm trees and white sandy beaches, US Thionvolle meets Hienghène Sport, winners of the 2019 Oceanic Champions League. This is made possible by the idiosyncratic nature of the Coupe de France, which has also hosted clubs from the overseas departments of New Caledonia since 1961. Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique and Tahiti may participate in the national knockout competition.

Reached destination after 25 hours

“It will not be a holiday, we want to advance to the next round,” warns coach Julien François (44), who once played more than 300 matches in Ligue 2 as a player. He left with his team on Monday to allow enough time to acclimatize in New Caledonia. The tour group from mainland France traveled 25 hours before landing in the New Caledonian capital Nouméa. The kick-off isn’t until Saturday.

The trip around the world is made possible by the association, which reimburses the costs. On the other hand, also from amateur employers, who give their employees a week off. “Fortunately, all employers played along and the players gave permission,” explains club boss François Ventrici.

Another team holds the travel record

But the distance of 32,630 kilometers that Thionville travels in both directions for the match is not a record for a competitive national match in world football. This is in the hands of fourth division club FC Trélissac, which was also allowed to fly to New Caledonia for a cup match in 2014. At that time, Tréllisac traveled 17,142 kilometers one way, or 34,284 kilometers in total.

But Thionville’s players cannot laze on the beach or marvel at the coral reef. The team will be back in action in the competition in a week’s time on Wednesday. Then the current leaders in the fifth highest class will have an away match – albeit “only” at the second representative of ESTAC Troyes, 250 kilometers away. (sbe)

Source : Blick