Quevilly manager Régis Brouard has praised his team for their exploits in the Coupe de France this season but warned that they must now get back to reality.
The Championnat National side have earned the adulation of the nation after dumping Marseille and Rennes out of this year's competition before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Lyon in the final.
Brouard congratulated Les Gones on their triumph but maintained that it had still been a great occasion for the third-tier minnows.
"I am not disappointed but I am a little frustrated," admitted Brouard. "We need to quickly get back to reality. Lyon deserved to win and I say bravo to them. It might feel like we are not far away from them, but the reality is that we are.
"I am really proud of what my players have done. We tried to play football and take risks and, for me, that is satisfying. Cris came up to us on his own initiative at the end and asked us if we wanted to lift the Cup. That was a nice touch.
"There is no reason to be happy or sad. We did what we could with the resources we have. This will remain a good evening for me. The image that will stay with me is that of the fans."
Quevilly had reached the final of the Coupe de France on one prior occassion, in 1927.
Michael Penkman
