France

Runners-up in 2008, France are back after missing out on the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship last year for the first time having had the misfortune to meet Germany in qualifying.

First qualifying round: Israel 9-0, Croatia 4-0, Sweden 2-3, (Group 8 runners-up)

Second qualifying round: Scotland 4-1, Switzerland 2-0, Wales 2-0 (Group 4 winners)

Key players
Solène Durand (goalkeeper, Montpellier Hérault SC), Charlotte Lorgère (defender, Toulouse FC), Claire Lavogez (midfielder, FCF Hénin-Beaumont), Clarisse Le Bihan (striker, Stade Briochin), Meryll Wenger (striker, Montpellier Hérault SC)

Coach profile: Francisco 'Paco' Rubio

Date of Birth: 6 December 1953
Nationality: French
Playing career: EDS Montluçon, AS Nancy-Lorraine, Olympique de Marseille, Tours FC, US Joué-lés-Tours
Coaching career: US Joué-lés-Tours, US Autonome Pouancé, RC Fontainebleau, France women's U16/U17

Rubio took over his first women's youth squad in summer 2007, an U16  selection that two years later were European Women's U17 bronze medallists. Previously a lower-division coach, he spent ten years as technical director of the Val d'Oise region but is best remembered as an influential midfielder at Nancy, scoring 60 goals in 299 games from 1976 to 1983; the club's heyday as they won the 1978 French Cup. Rubio, with flowing blond locks, linked up with a youngster named Michel Platini in that side.

Marseille then attracted Rubio, and it was he who scored the injury-time play-off goal against Olympique Lyonnais that secured promotion back to the top flight in the 1983/84 season. In 1985, Rubio returned to his native area, at Tours and Joué-lés-Tours, where he started his coaching career.

Qualifying top scorer
Claire Lavogez: 9

UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship best
Runners-up: 2008

Honours in UEFA women's youth competitions
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship
Winners: 2003, 2010
Runners-up: 2002, 2005, 2006

UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship
Runners-up: 1998