HISTORY AND WINNERS OF THE FRENCH CUP

COUPE DE LA LIGUE

(THE FRENCH CUP)

AN OVERVIEW

The Coupe de la Ligue, known outside of France as the French League Cup, is a knockout cup competition in French football organised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel. The tournament was established in 1994, although similar competitions had been previously held in France. The Coupe Charles Drago was held from 1953 to 1965; it involved teams eliminated from the Coupe de France. The winner of the first Coupe Charles Drago final was decided by a coin-toss when Sochaux and Toulouse tied 3–3 after extra time. Another competition named Coupe de la Ligue existed from 1963 to 1965; this was run alongside the Coupe Charles Drago for two years until they both ceased. In 1982, a Coupe d'Eté (Summer cup) was held before the start of the French league season; the cup was won by Stade Laval. This tournament continued under the name of Coupe de la Ligue, until 1994, before the beginning of the French season

HISTORY

The first summer tournament took place in 1982 with Laval beating Nancy 3-2 in the inaugural 'final'. While still an official competition, it was often used as a testing ground by teams who would try out different tactics and players. Held every two years at the beginning, the next edition took place in 1984 with Laval repeating their success this time with a 3-1 win over Monaco. Metz took the title in 1986 before Reims, Montpellier and Lens all added their names to the list.

Prior to 1982, there existed another cup competition called the 'Coupe Charles Drago'. Involving teams eliminated from the quarter-finals of the French Cup it ran from 1953 to 1965. An example of its non-competitiveness was the fact that Sochaux won the first of their three Charles Drago cups, in 1953, on a coin toss after the match finished 3-3.

In 1994 the League Cup, as we know it today, was introduced. It quickly became an important part of the season as the winners won entry to the following season's UEFA Cup. Prior to 1998, the final was held at the Parc des Princes before it was moved to the newly built Stade de France. Only two teams have won the trophy at both stadiums; PSG and Strasbourg.

The tournament in its current format started in 1994. Entrance to the UEFA Cup, now called the UEFA Europa League, is offered to the winning team. Its first winner was Paris Saint-Germain, after their 2–0 victory over Bastia. The first final decided by a penalty shoutout was the 1996 cup when Metz beat Olympique Lyonnais. The first three finals were held at Parc des Princes; since the 1998 cup, all finals have been held at the Stade de France. Strasbourg and Paris Saint-Germain have won the competition at both stadiums. Gueugnon became the first team below the top division of France to win the cup after beating Paris Saint-Germain in the 2000 final. Overall, there have been 14 winners of the competition since 1995. The most successful teams, in terms of competitions won, are Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain, who have won the cup thrice. The current holders of the cup are Bordeaux, who beat Vannes in the 2009 final.

LIST OF COUPE DE LA LIGUE WINNERS

The Coupe de la Ligue is a knockout cup competition in French football organised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel. The competition was established relatively late in 1994 and comprises clubs of France's top football division, Ligue 1, France's second division, Ligue 2, and the third division, the Championnat National.

The most successful clubs in the history of the Coupe de la Ligue are Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux. Both have had the honor of winning the cup three times. Bordeaux have also made the most appearances in the final. Including this year's final, they have appeared in the final match five times. The venue for the final was the Parc des Princes for its first three years, until it was moved to the Stade de France. Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg are the only clubs to have won the cup at both stadiums. In 2000, Gueugnon became the first team outside the top French league to win the tournament.

Previous League Cup Finals With Goal Scorers

2005/06 – Nancy
Nancy 2 (Zerka, Kim)
Nice 1 (Vahirua)

2004/05 – Strasbourg
Caen 1 (Mazure)
Strasbourg 2 (Niang, Devaux)

2003/04 – Sochaux
Nantes 1 (Pujol)
Sochaux 1 (Monsoreau)
(Sochaux won 5-4 on penalties)

2002/03 – Monaco
Sochaux 1 (Saveljic)
Monaco 4 (Giuly 2, Squilacci, Prso)

2001/02 – Bordeaux
Lorient 0
Bordeaux 3 (Pauleta 2, Meriem)

2000/01 – Lyon
Monaco 1 (Nonda)
Lyon 2 (Cacapa, Muller)

1999/00 - Gueugnon
Gueugnon 2 (Trapasso, Flauto)
PSG 0

1998/1999 – Lens
Lens 1 (Moreira)
Metz 0

1997/98 – PSG
PSG 2 (Simone, Rai)
Bordeaux 2 (Papin, Micoud)
(PSG won 4-2 on penalties)

1996/97 – Strasbourg
Strasbourg 0
Bordeaux 0
(Strasbourg won 6-5 on penalties)

1995/96 – Metz
Metz 0
Lyon 0
(Metz won 5-4 on penalties)

1994/95 – PSG
PSG 2 (Roche, Rai)
Bastia 0

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