Coupe Gambardella - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. The Coupe Gambardella is a prestigious youth football competition in France, open to players under the age of 19.
- 2. The tournament is named after Pierre-Pierre Gambardella, a former president of the French Football Federation who was instrumental in developing youth football in the country.
- 3. The first edition of the Coupe Gambardella was held in 1954, with the inaugural champions being Stade de Reims.
- 4. The competition is open to all clubs affiliated with the French Football Federation, from amateur to professional levels.
- 5. The format of the Coupe Gambardella is a knockout tournament, with matches played over one leg until the final, which is played at a neutral venue.
- 6. The winners of the Coupe Gambardella qualify for the UEFA Youth League, which is the top youth competition in Europe.
- 7. Some of the most successful clubs in the history of the competition include AS Monaco, AS Saint-Etienne, and Olympique Lyonnais.
- 8. The current holders of the Coupe Gambardella are Paris Saint-Germain, who won the tournament in the 2020-2021 season.
- 9. The competition has produced many talented players who have gone on to have successful careers in professional football, including Thierry Henry, Kylian Mbappe, and Paul Pogba.
- 10. The Coupe Gambardella is seen as a crucial stepping stone for young players in France to showcase their talent and potentially earn a professional contract with a top club.