Coupe de France Eighth Round: Ecotay-Saint-Étienne and Blois Foot 41 Prepare for November 29 Matches

On November 29, 2025, two notable matches in the Coupe de France eighth round will capture French football fans' attention. At 20:30, a unique derby will take place at the historic stade Geoffroy-Guichard, where Union Sportive Écotay-Moingt (USEM), a Régional 3 club, will face off against the prominent Saint-Étienne team. Loïc Perrin, Saint-Étienne's sporting director, confirmed the fixture, highlighting its significance as a rare meeting and a dream opportunity for USEM players to perform before a large crowd. Already, 16,250 tickets have been sold, reflecting strong local and broader fan interest, especially as many supporters of USEM also back Saint-Étienne.

In another key fixture, Blois Foot 41 will compete against SO Romorantin with qualification for the 32nd round at stake. Blois Foot 41 approaches this match following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Biesheim in National 2 play on November 22, where Espérance Mabekondiasson scored his third consecutive goal. Despite their current position at the bottom of their group with six points, Blois Foot 41 aims to build momentum through these crucial Coupe de France ties. Their upcoming league match against Saint-Pryvé-Saint-Hilaire is scheduled for December 6.

These matches underscore the Coupe de France's tradition of pitting small clubs like USEM and Blois Foot 41 against higher-tier opponents, generating memorable moments and fan engagement as teams pursue advancement in the prestigious tournament.