Marseille make cup final
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ByEurosport
Published 20/04/2006 at 19:20 GMT
Olympique Marseille crushed Stade Rennes 3-0 on Thursday to reach the French Cup final for the first time in 15 years. Marseille, runners-up to Monaco in 1991, will play the winners of the second semi-final between Nantes and Paris St Germain who play later on Thursday.
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The final is at the Stade de France on April 29.
"We wanted to go to the Stade de France because we have been waiting for this for a long time," said Marseille coach Jean Fernandez."
The Mediterranean club produced their best performance of the season to settle the tie at their Stade Velodrome in the first 45 minutes.
Midfielder Franck Ribery, tipped by many to earn a place in France's World Cup squad, grabbed the first goal after just 17 seconds, scoring with a composed lob after a blunder from central defender Gregory Bourillon.
Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo blasted home a free-kick for the second goal on 18 minutes and Mamadou Niang added a third on the stroke of halftime.
"I'm really happy with my performance today," said Ribery, given a standing ovation after his substitution 10 minutes from time.
"Now we hope we can win this Cup again and I hope there are still more games to come for me this season. I would be very disappointed not to go to Germany with the national squad.
"I'd be sad because I have done everything I could throughout the season to prove I deserve it."
Coupet blunder sends Marseille into Cup semis
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