Amateurs knock Monaco and Auxerre out of French Cup

PARIS (Reuters) -- Amateurs Chambery and Wasquehal sprang huge surprises in the French Cup last 64 when they knocked out Monaco and Auxerre respectively on a bad Saturday for the Ligue 1 clubs.

Remy Sahinovic put Chambery on the soccer map when the fifth division side knocked out Monaco on 3-2 penalties, while Gregoire Debuchy and David Coulibaly helped Wasquehal beat Auxerre 2-1.

Sahinovic converted the last penalty in a tense shootout after the game had ended in a 1-1 draw, with Chris Malonga cancelling out Thomas Dubard's surprise fifth-minute opener.

"It's wonderful," the 26-year-old Sahinovic, who like his team mates is an amateur, told Eurosport.

"When I'm about to take the penalty, I think only about scoring. I was sure I was going to. After handball and skiing, now there is some football in Chambery."

Chambery is best known in France for its handball team, who are regulars in the Champions League, and its surrounding ski resorts.

Wasquehal, who also play in the fifth division, have been living in Lille's shadow, and it seemed they were inspired by their neighbours having borrowed the Ligue 1 leaders' stadium for the occasion.

Auxerre, who played in the Champions League this season, looked set for a routine win after Adama Coulibaly opened the scoring in the 12th minute.

The hosts, however, hit back with 10 minutes left through Debuchy, whose brother Mathieu plays for Lille, before David Coulibaly converted a penalty two minutes from time.

Ligue 1 side Nice avoided an embarrassing defeat at third division Creteil when keeper Lionel Letizi helped them to a 6-5 penalty shootout victory following a 1-1 draw.

Toulouse, another Ligue 1 side, were beaten 2-1 at third division Paris FC on Friday.