Marathon Penalty Shootout Sees Béthune Advance in Coupe de France thriller
December 16, 2024
Football fans, brace yourselves! In a match that tested the endurance and nerve of everyone involved, a Coupe de France encounter between Béthune and Steenvoorde stretched into an remarkable 120 minutes of scoreless play, culminating in a penalty shootout for the ages. This is the kind of unpredictable drama that makes the Coupe de France legendary.
After failing to find the back of the net during regulation and an additional 30 minutes of extra time, the two teams, both competing in Regional 1 during the regular season, delivered a historic penalty shootout that saw an unbelievable 44 attempts from the spot. This wasn’t just a shootout; it was an epic test of wills.
Initially, both sides struggled from the penalty spot, missing their first five attempts. However, as the shootout wore on, the players found their rhythm, converting an notable 37 consecutive penalties. the tension was palpable, with every kick carrying immense weight.
The deadlock was finally broken when a Steenvoorde player sent their attempt over the crossbar. Béthune’s Gauthier Thumerel then stepped up, calmly converting his penalty to secure a dramatic 22-21 victory in the shootout. His decisive goal sent him into a celebratory “crowd bath” from his jubilant teammates, who had made the relatively short 37-kilometer trip to support their club. For some, it was pure magic; for others, heartbreak.
The French Football Federation itself recognized the historic nature of the event, celebrating the marathon shootout on its social media channels.
Jean-Guy Wallemme, Béthune’s coach as 2024 and a decorated player with a career spanning critically important achievements, including a 1998 French championship with Lens, admitted he had never witnessed such a dramatic penalty decider. I have never seen such a session, with 21 or 22 shots, I don’t know anymore,
Wallemme told La Voix du Nord. It was a balanced match, a complicated pitch with bad weather. We would have liked to play a little more football but with the pitch, it’s the Cup and the spirit that goes with it. We had the first half, they had the second. We certainly know that behind, the penos, it’s not the play, there was a lot of control, few saves from the goalkeeper. We are happy, a little disappointed for them because we imagine what they are going through.
With this incredible qualification and record-breaking performance, Béthune now looks ahead to the 32nd finals. Their next opponent will be determined in a draw scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at the Parc des princes. The matches for this round are set to take place from Friday, December 19, to Sunday, December 21.
