France high on confidence

By Christian Isnard

France travel to Hungary eager to reclaim the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship title they relinquished a year ago.

Winning streak
Winners in 2003 in Germany, they missed out in the group stage the following season by the narrowest of margins. The current team are high on confidence, though, having won all 13 matches since the last championship.

Holders ousted
After the setback 12 months ago, long-serving coach Bruno Bini handed over to Stéphane Pilard, his first tenure in charge of a national side. The 36-year-old proved his mettle in the second qualifying round as hosts Spain were overcome 1-0, Croatia 7-1 and finally the Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Madrid, the latter game watched by Zinedine Zidane.

Thomis speed
Pilard can call on three of the team that were pipped in the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ group stage by finalists Norway. Elodie Thomis, who was in the 2003 squad, has scored 13 goals for the U19s this term, and was described by senior coach Elisabeth Loisel as "the fastest player in any French team".

EURO trio
Midfielder Louisa Necib was named player of the match against Germany in England and goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi, another 2003 veteran, was ever-present at the senior event. "I felt a bit tired after EURO," Bouhaddi said. "Louisa, Elodie and I had 15 days' break and are now back on track. To play in England boosted us and gave us plenty of experience."

Bouhaddi farewell
Of the 2003 triumph, Bouhaddi said ahead of her swansong at youth level: "It was my first international trophy and, for my last competition, I hope I'll finish on a high." That could even be achieved by getting past England, Scotland and Russia in the group stage to reach the last four and claim a trip to next year's FIFA U-19 World Championship.

Russian improvement
Pilard, whose side start against World Championship hosts Russia, said: "Russia have been improving consistently for years. England knocked out Italy and Norway, proof of their high quality. Their first game against Scotland will teach us a lot about the other British nation as we don't know them much."

Training camp
His team yesterday began a week-long training camp in Clairefontaine, having already been based at the centre between 6 and 9 July. Nine of the 18-player party represent the national football school there.

France squad
Sarah Bouhaddi (CNFE FF), Véronique Pons (CNFE FF), Laure Boulleau (CNFE FF), Morgane Courteille (CNFE FF), Sabrina Delannoy (CNFE FF), Coralie Ducher (Olympique Lyonnais), Lorène Duclaud (Evreux AC), Mériame Ben Abdel Wahab (Stade Briochin FF), Inès Dahou (CNFE FF), Jessica Houara (CNFE FF), Jennifer Moresco (CNFE FF), Louisa Necib (CNFE FF), Julie Peruzzetto (Toulouse FC), Caroline Pizzala (Marseille CF), Marie-Pierre Castera (Toulouse FC), Marie-Laure Delie (Domont FC, photo), Aurélie Mula (Mars Bischheim CS), Elodie Thomis (CNFE FF).