Amateur Thrill: US Revel Faces PSG in French Cup Clash

Amateur Thrill: US Revel Faces PSG in French Cup Clash

Simon OOMS of Ivry, Luc STEINS of Paris a nd Kent Robin TONNESEN of Paris during the Liqui Moly Starligue match between Union Sportive d'Ivry and Paris Saint-Germain Handball at Gymnase Auguste Delaune on September 17, 2023 in Ivry-sur-Seine, France (Getty Images)

 The excited celebrations of the US Revel team were all over the place when they found out they would be facing Paris St Germain in the French Cup. This is a big deal for amateur players because they get to share the field with top-notch players like Kylian Mbappe.

After the draw on Monday, videos of players and staff jumping around in happiness spread widely. The team from the southwest, mostly known for rugby, now has the chance to play against the French champions.

Maxime Zahil, a forward for Revel, expressed his amazement, saying, "It's incredible, something you just can't even imagine. These players play in World Cups, they score in World Cups, they're in the top for the Ballon d'Or, it's PSG." Zahil emphasized that they won't try to change their ways in a short time but will stick to their mindset. He described the team as a group of friends who were so happy that they cried and hugged each other a lot.

Cedric Garcia, the sporting director of Revel, reminded everyone that they are amateurs. The players and staff have regular jobs, go to work every morning, and only have two training sessions a week plus a weekend game. Despite their amateur status, the club has its ambitions and operates like a family, meeting both regional and amateur football standards.

As they prepare for the match on January 7 against Luis Enrique's squad, Revel is looking for a larger stadium because their home ground can only accommodate 3,500 spectators. Options like the Toulouse stadium and the rugby union side Castres' home are being considered for the fixture.