Degrange will keep France on front foot

France coach Jean-Michel Degrange has promised that his team will not stray from their attacking philosophy at the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship this month after registering an impressive haul of 24 goals in six games in qualifying.

Positive approach
Winners in 2003 and beaten finalists on four other occasions, France suffered disappointment on home soil 12 months ago when they were eliminated in the group stage, but have recovered strongly under Degrange. Having brushed past Wales, Portugal and Azerbaijan in the second qualifying round, Les Bleuettes will be regarded as one of the favourites, and despite being drawn in a difficult group alongside Germany, Switzerland and hosts Belarus, they will be told to play positively.

'We won't change'
"We only know how to play one way," said Degrange, the successor to Stéphane Pilard, who is now in charge of France U20s. "We don't to change the way we play, according to who we're playing. We never defend in numbers and operate on the counterattack. We take the game to our opponents. In some matches we'll need to be more vigilant but we won't just defend."

Germany opener
France's back line was barely tested during a qualifying campaign in which they conceded just one goal, yet they are likely to have far more defending to do in Belarus, not least in their opening Group A fixture against five-time winners Germany. "The problem in qualifying was that our opponents focused mainly on trying not to concede," Degrange explained. "We needed to be very patient, apply ourselves and try to make the most of any space we had. These games will be totally different. Our opponents will try to attack us and the matches will be more open and hopefully more enjoyable too."

'Excellent teams'
Degrange was encouraged by his side's performances at La Manga in March, when they drew with the United States and defeated fellow finalists Sweden. "Those games were very helpful as they gave us an idea of the standard we'll be up against at the European Championship," said the coach, who believes any one of the eight finalists could end up winning the title. "There are a lot excellent teams and everybody is in with a chance.

'Tight group'
"Germany have a slightly better side so it's difficult playing them first. But we won't read too much into the result of our first game. We could still go through if we lose and we could go out if we win. I think the group will be tight. Switzerland had a very impressive qualifying campaign, knocking out the holders Italy. It won't be easy playing the hosts either. I know nothing about Belarus but I imagine they will be a little more defensive than the other teams."