2007–08 final between Stade Rennais and Girondins de Bordeaux in the Stade de France.

The Gambardella cup is a French football tournament held between the under-18s of the French football clubs, organised by the French Football Federation (FFF).

The cup is regarded as an opportunity for young hopefuls to showcase their skills in a national competition. A victory in the finals of the cup is as much sought after by players trying to start their career, as by clubs wishing to demonstrate their ability to train young talents.^[1]

[edit] History

The tournament is the modern day version of the Coupe nationale des juniors, which ran up until 1954. The competition was then renamed, in 1955, to honour Emmanuel Gambardella, president of the French Football Federation from 1949 to 1953, who died on 30 August 1953.^[2]

[edit] Format

The Coupe Gambardella begins in December, of the previous year of the final, at the regional level. Home advantage is given out randomly, until the semi-final stage when games are played at neutral venues. Games which are drawn after ninety minutes, go to a penalty shootout as opposed to extra time and then a shootout. The final is always played on the same day as the Coupe de France and have tradationally taken place at the Stade de France.

[edit] Previous winners

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Numbers in brackets represent a second or subsequent trophy.
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Result decided by penalty kicks.

[edit] Number of titles

[edit] References