Les Bleues facing the Oranje wall! The French team led by Corinne Deacon has an appointment to face its history this Saturday (9 p.m.) against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Football Euro. After an almost perfect first round, Les Bleues will have to beat the reigning European champions and vice-world champions in order to reach the semi-finals.
An almost perfect course which could have been perfect if France had not received a penalty after more than ten minutes of added time, Monday, against Iceland (1-1) in the last group match. A last match without stake since the French were already assured of finishing first after two victories against Italy (5-1) and Belgium (2-1).
Defeat the defending champions to advance
Undefeated for three years and seventeen games, since a quarter-final loss at the World Cup at home against the future American world champions, France faces a nation in constant progression. Non-existent on the international scene ten years ago, the Netherlands have progressed at breakneck speed to reach two international finals in two years and conquer the last European title in 2017.
The first round of the Dutch was concluded on the same record as that of France: two victories, against Portugal and Switzerland, and a draw against Sweden (1-1), second in the world and first in the group unlike of goals. But if we look more closely, the Batavian course was not so simple. The selection coached by Mark Parsons only defeated Switzerland (4-1) in the last minutes thanks to an offensive force that the defense led by captain Wendy Renard will have to watch closely. After only winning by a small goal against Portugal (3-2).
A first half or homecoming
If the Bleues have a date with their history, it is because Corinne Deacon has never managed to raise her selection to the semi-finals of an official competition since taking office in 2017. The last to have passed this cap is Bruno Bini at the London Olympics in 2012, a year after the German World Cup. The only half reached by France in an official tournament.
Never has a French team managed to qualify for the semi-finals of a European championship. Suffice to say that what awaits the Blues is a real mountain against an Oranje tide led by unleashed supporters. In the event of qualification for the semi-finals, Les Bleues will return to Germany. France – Netherlands, a match to follow live on France Bleu this Saturday (9 p.m.) with comments from Julien Froment, as well as on francebleu.fr and the France Bleu Twitter account.