Early Christmas presents. The little thumbs, amateurs of the Coupe de France, like Puy Foot and Espaly, qualified for the 16th finals, or the skier Léo Anguenot, for the first time on the podium in the World Cup, perhaps had not even not dared to put such exploits on their Christmas list. They are among the happy players of the sports weekend of Saturday December 21 and Sunday December 22. Here's what you shouldn't miss this weekend.
Football: the magic of the Coupe de France works
Lots of exploits this weekend in the 32nd final of the Coupe de France, and three Ligue 1 clubs knocked out by clubs from lower divisions. Auxerre was eliminated (1-0) by Dunkirk, residents of Ligue 2 where the Northerners are having a good season. Le Havre fell (1-0) against Stade Briochin, which plays in the fourth division. But the most notable defeat came to Montpellier, humiliated (4-0) by Le Puy, resident of the fourth division.
Among the other surprises, Espaly (N3, fifth division) beat Dijon (N1) on penalties, Cannes (N2) dominated Grenoble (Ligue 2) with a score of 3-2, Bourgoin-Jallieu (N3) outclassed Martigues (L2) with a 4-1 victory, Thaon (N3) beat Amiens (L2) 2 goals to 1, and Thionville (N2) eliminated Valenciennes on penalties.
Coupe de France, the 32nd finals
The first matches of the 32nd finals of the French Football Cup have already held some surprises. Saint-Brieuc, which plays in National 2, for example eliminated Le Havre, residents of Ligue 1. Martigues and Grenoble, currently in Ligue 2, also lost to amateur teams.
The draw for the round of 16, carried out on Sunday evening, placed the Parisians on the road to Petit Poucet Espaly, while OM and Losc will compete for a ticket to the round of 16.
Alpine Skiing: Lindsey Vonn takes care of her return, Leo Anguenot creates a sensation
All eyes were on her. Almost six years after her retirement, in February 2019, Lindsey Vonn, 40, made her return to the highest level on Saturday. On the track in Saint-Moritz (Switzerland), the American with 82 career World Cup victories took 14th place in the Super-G – won by Cornelia Hütter – despite a very cautious start. The second super-G, scheduled for Sunday, was canceled due to low visibility and strong wind.
On the French side, Leo Anguenot, aged 26, created a surprise by taking second place in the giant slalom of Alta Badia (Italy), behind the ogre Marco Odermatt. He thus achieved “a child's dream”. Ninth after the first round, the Annecian avoided the pitfalls of the second route to score his first World Cup podium.
Biathlon: three additional podiums for the Tricolores in Grand-Bornand
Justine Braisaz-Bouchet opened the way on Friday by winning the sprint of the third stage of the World Cup. If no one has imitated it, other French people have distinguished themselves at home. In the pursuit, on Saturday, Eric Perrot and Emilien Jacquelin signed a group shot, taking second and third place behind the untouchable Johannes Boe, author of a benchmark race.
Among the women, Julia Simon was beaten by the German Franziska Preuss, leader of the World Cup. Special mention for Jeanne Richard, 4th in the pursuit then in the mass start for a hundredth. At 22, the native of Thonons-les-Bains signs her two best performances in the World Cup.
