French Cup. “With Serquigny, it’s even stronger,” says defender Kevin Giboyau

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The joys provided by epics in French Cup football, Kevin Giboyau could talk about it at length. In 2012, the FC Serquigny–Nassandres defender was part of the Quevilly team, resident of National (3rd division) which reached the final to everyone’s surprise.

And at the end of an extraordinary journey. In the quarter-finals, the Norman club eliminated Marseille Olympic (3-2), then Stade Rennais in the next round (2-1), before being beaten by Olympique Lyonnais by Hugo Lloris and Alexandre Lacazette at the Stade de France, under the eyes of the President of the Republic and in front of millions of television viewers.

A few years later, he will experience other emotions with the Évreux jersey on the back.

Et at 36 years oldthe Coupe de France, “the most beautiful competition for an amateur player”, continues to make it vibratein Serquigny-Nassandres this time. He didn’t expect it. “It’s even stronger,” he compares. With Quevilly, I was young. There, with age, I appreciate even more the importance of these moments. »

“Lead by example”

Kevin Giboyau joined the banks of the Charentonne in 2022 when he thought about ending his career.

It was Benjamin Canhan (one of his teammates) who advised me to come here. I spoke with the coach, Julien Vinette, and it went well.

The defender discovered “a group of friends who work in a good mood”, many of whom have been playing together for several years. A collective within which he transmits his valuable experience.

“He brings us a lot, especially his joie de vivre,” observes Julien Vinette. And in important matches, he a relaxation which makes everyone calm down. He talks a lot to the players, he is important for the squad and team life. It is even important for the club. »

Because his role at Serquigny-Nassandres is not limited to the field. Educator with young people in the U11 category, it is also head of the football school. “Sharing my knowledge, setting an example, is essential for me,” says the man who works in parallel as production technician in a factory in Évreux where he works three shifts.

Human adventure

The feat achieved on October 27 against Flers, a National 3 club, “proves to our little ones that we can do great things, even when we face a team that is superior to us”, retains the former Évreux defender .

And beyond the result, “it is above all a human adventure. We win a match, it’s beautiful, but there’s also what’s around,” he adds, he who has forged “very strong bonds” with his former teammates at Quevilly. And these are these same memories for life that the players of FC Serquigny-Nassandres are in the process of creating themselves.

Performances in the Coupe de France reward “the progress of the group”. Can this training go even higher? “Yes,” answers Kevin Giboyau without hesitation. It’s necessary continue to grow and to structure the club at all levels, that’s what we try to do. And there are small towns at the highest level. »

“In football, everything is possible”

As the “very big match” against Guingamp approaches on Saturday November 16, the thirty-year-old hopes to experience Lisieux the same fervor than in the previous round. “The encouragement carried us,” he says, being convinced that a resounding success can be achieved.

“Everything is possible in football. It’s the Coupe de France. It is up to us to provoke destiny », Urges Kevin Giboyau. One thing is certain: “It will be a big party and we are going to experience a unique moment.”

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