The poster between the small pinch of these 1 / 16th finals, the VAFF and the Stade de Reims was awaited by supporters from both sides. At the Stadium, advantage for the VAFF that has relied on his more than 200 inveterate fans to try to push him to the feat. But faced with stronger than it is, it is very difficult to hang this goal hands. Yet Reims had almost doubted for a moment of the qualification.


Post match reactions

Tiffany Monsauret and Elise Halluin (VAAF): "To have arrived so far was already a feat."

Charlotte Rebours (Stade de Reims): "We know that in the Coupe de France, there are no levels"

Hélène Fercocq (Stade de Reims): "It's a double challenge with the championship"

Sébastien Dulongcourty (Villeneuve d'Ascq): "[In equalizing] the atmosphere was extraordinary"

Amandine Miquel (Stade de Reims): "We want to reconnect with the history of women's football in Reims"


It was on the ground of the Stadium that the two teams had made an appointment, at 17:30 precise, to do battle. But very strong who thinks that the hierarchy can always be jostled, although this has already been seen, even today with the ouster of Bordeaux (D1) again by Roche-Sur-Yon (D2). A fact that can be explained in particular by the many years of experience of the Roche in the elite of football, well before Bordeaux is the tip of his nose in D1 precisely. But in this poster itself, the gap was far too big. And yet the Villeneuvoises have not lowered their heads against their opponents, the players just as impetuous on one side or the other of the field. But it is the experience and endurance of Reims that will prevail over the heart at work and the will of the VAFF.


Reims puts the foot in the stirrup

From the start of the match, the dice are thrown. The balance quickly leans towards Reims who wants at all costs to set up his game worked all the season. Only work pays as the saying goes. But facing a club totally amateur and even more recent, the weight against balance is logical. However, the players of Sebastien Dulongcourty will have a real determination to prove things, prove that they can hold up, withstand the pace of play, chaining the meters and miles back and forth, incessant. They will put their foot on the ball and between the balloons of the Remoises. But it will be more difficult for them to put their game and build it in front of the armada of Reims. Without showing any complex that it is. A state of mind to their credit, even as Reims has shown great respect against his opponent.


After several laps and tests, Reims will start to be more and more insistent in front of goal. As with this center for Melissa Gomes, who will see Elise Halluin (5th) to stand before the Remoise to annihilate the attempt. Before seeing Lucie Keranflech (6th) of the VAFF coming to get a ball from his captain Camelia Kaci, but a bad control it sends the ball too far in front of her and which is recovered by the guardian of Reims, Claire Jacob who replaces Pauline Moitrel suspended for this match.


In the interplay we find Helene Fercocq on the side of Reims, who tries to delay the game of his team. The captain of the day will put a lot of heart to trust his team and to be a model in the field. But at his position as a recovering medium, it's difficult to have all the balloons and transmit them easily. However, we feel that the pressure will eventually fall like a cleaver on the VAFF. Although the fans' encouragement, galvanize the team to postpone the deadline. However the regional team 2 fails to pass the milestone of the last meters, facing a strong remoise defense. But the VAFF can also count on its size element, Elise Halluin to protect her goal. As on this incursion of Tetiana Romanenko, blocked by the young Villeneuvoise (8e) on an attempt of recovery of a good center.


But the sentence will fall just a minute after that. And it is still Tetiana Romanenko (11th) who is on the occasion. She has a good ball deep and comes to eliminate the goalkeeper of the VAFF before sending his ball to the empty goal 0-1. Reims takes a nice option but is not at home so quickly in this match, an opposing goal. And the VAFF will be bold and hard to get back to the score precisely. As on this attempt of Tiffany Monsauret (13th), when she finds herself alone in the penalty area, but the guardian of Reims does not tremble and stop his shot, not powerful enough to worry him.

Villeneuve d'Ascq returns in the race

An opportunity that has not found the bottom of the nets, but that will have given grist to the public and energy without question to his team. Until then, the scorer of Reims, Tetiana Romanenko (15th) wants to make the score worse but her attempt this time will be aborted by the door of Villeneuve. Then this is a new opportunity that presents to the players of Dulongcourty, with Manon Garcia center for Monsauret left flank, but in the box, Reims side Charlotte Rebours (21st) comes to intervene to avoid the goal. But the lock will eventually give way to Reims, too. On a good combination of Julie Duserre, who transmits to Manon Garcia and who deflects the ball for Monsauret (28th). The latter is cold and the inside of the left foot sends his ball to the opposite, which a false rebound deceives the keeper of Reims 1-1.


The match is tempered, the equalizer calmed the "ardors" two teams. Reims is questioned in his pride. The VAFF hung a great opportunity to believe in front of all its supporters. Reims will have several opportunities to regain the advantage. Through one of her most experienced attackers, Melissa Gomes. She is going to have two shots on shot (32nd and 33rd) but without finding the bottom of the nets. Neither on this occasion with Charlotte Rebours who is in charge of shooting the corner at the back post, with the head of Gomes (32) that passes just above the goal. But the chance will smile again to the players of Amandine Miquel. On a one-two between Hélène Fercocq and Melissa Gomes, who gives Sonia Ouchene (41st) in the box and comes to take the best on Lola Fresco and goalkeeper Adeline Ho 1-2. A goal that comes just before the break of the first period.



After the break, the VAFF tries to settle a few seconds in the Reims camp to put pressure on his opponent. A strategy that will not stand against the power of the opponent in this meeting. During the first minutes of this second half, the VAFF goalkeeper will remain vigilant on several attempts and strikes.


The pace has dropped slightly, due in particular to the fatigue of the players, without losing any spirits. The first changes will be made on both sides at the hour of the game, as with the release of Julie Duserre and the entry of Ophelie Olivier to bring some pep to the VAFF. Despite the goal of difference, Villeneuve does not let himself take a third time and tries by all means to block the game Reims. To save a ball on their goal line (62nd) and avoid the third goal. This act shows all the abnegation of the players of the North, who play for each other. A valuable quality to hope to go up a ladder as some players have revealed to us at the end of the game. Just like this new rescue of Elise Halluin, a real bulwark for her team, in front of her goalkeeper, who comes to send this center of Evanna Soyeux (64) in the penalty area. He was close to it.


The Rémoises support their success

But at this stage of the match, and with the legs becoming heavier, VAFF players can still claim equalization as they had arrived in the first period? Everything suggests that nothing is really played yet, even if Reims gradually takes the hair of the beast. And the club can not wait. On corner, Melissa Gomes takes his time, adjusts his shot and it is Agathe Dumont (79th) who comes to cut the trajectory of the ball to send it to the first post 1-3. Reims is doing the break.


It is clear at this moment that the victory is now assured for Reims. The VAFF struggles to continue on the same pace of play in the first period against the Remoises. Which is justifiable by the level of the two teams. And as well, the Champagne-Ardenne club will drive the point at the very end of the match with the recovery of the ball by Dumont, technically gifted and manages to get rid of his opponent to transmit full axis to Romanenko. The latter starts from the right flank to the goal, to register a cross shot her doubled 1-4!


The surprise will not have taken place - finally - at the Lille Stadium for Villeneuve d'Ascq, facing the Stade de Reims. The difference in level was too important and especially late in the game, to claim. But one thing is sure, the Villeneuvoises have noted with merit this challenge that presented itself to them and the Remoise can boast of having to fight to score and win. Qualified for the 1/8 round of finals, Reims will now have to wait for his next opponent that will be known next week.