Angers reach 'dream' 1st Cup final in 60 years

Angers' French midfielder Thomas Mangani (R) celebrates after scoring during the French Cup semi-final football match between Angers and Guingamp on April 25, 2017

Angers returned to the French Cup final for the first time since their only other appearance 60 years ago with a 2-0 semi-final victory over Guingamp on Tuesday. "We had said that getting to the final would be a dream -- the key word was turning that into a reality, and we did it with all the emotion and joy that produces," said Angers coach Stephane Moulin. "And I told the lads tonight that they knew how to be happy and render others happy -- that's the most wonderful thing in life. "We've wiped out 60 years absence from the French Cup final -- that's pretty exceptional." Thomas Mangani opened the scoring for the hosts at a packed out Raymond Kopa stadium seven minutes before half-time. Winners in 2009 and 2014, Guingamp were offered a lifeline two minutes from time when Cheikh Ndoye was controversially penalised for a non-existant handball in the area. But goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier saved Jimmy Briand's penalty and Karl Toko Ekambi sealed the win in injury time. After losing 6-3 to Toulouse in the 1957 final, Angers will now, finally, get a second bite at the cherry against either Paris Saint-Germain or Monaco, who face off at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.