Delie talks up France's chances

France may have been overwhelmed 3-0 by Germany in the showpiece last summer but as she gears up for a rematch in the last four in Iceland, their talisman Marie-Laure Delie believes she has good cause to feel confident.

Memories to vanquish
A veteran of two UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final defeats, Delie is determined to make it third time lucky this season. After a far from impressive start to the campaign, the French caught the eye with a powerful display against Poland as they won 4-0 to set up a last-four meeting with Germany; and the 19-year-old striker has revenge on her mind. "My memories of 12 months ago obviously aren't that good because we lost 3-0 but we played them in a friendly in March and won 2-0 so we know we can win," she said. "On Thursday we will try to do the same again."

Striking partnership
Delie scored twice in that friendly victory in La Manga and has added two more in Iceland despite being hindered by a knee injury. It restricted her to a substitute appearance against England on Friday when she nevertheless scored France's consolation in a 3-1 loss and despite heavy strapping she started the Poland victory, adding another goal as she linked up with the diminutive Charlotte Amaury to good effect. "We work well together," she said of her relationship with her strike partner. "It shows in training and then in the matches themselves; we have a good understanding and a style of play that complements each other."

'Very confident'
The CNFE FF striker has been through a few partners since breaking into the U19s and was just 17 when she was substituted midway through the second half of the 2005 final against Russia - a game Stéphane Pilard's team went on to lose on penalties. But she has been one of the first names on the teamsheet ever since and registered five goals in Switzerland last summer, scoring at least one a game until Les Bleuettes were swept aside by Germany. This year, though, Delie believes France will be a different proposition, saying: "We're more complete this time around. We're better all over the pitch and have strength in depth, with people ready to come off the substitutes' bench who are just as good as the girls that are playing. I'm very confident."