finally a final, a record attendance and the black beast defeated… Evening of firsts for the Blues against Germany

By dominating the Germans on Friday in Lyon, the French women’s team achieved a historic success in more than one way.

“To beat this German sign and reach a final of a big tournament is good.” This gentle euphemism was pronounced without overflowing joy by Hervé Renard after the victory of the Bleues in the semi-finals of the League of Nations against Germany (2-1), Friday February 23. A few minutes earlier, his French team had just scored one of the most notable successes in its history in Lyon.

Since its creation in the early 1970s, the women’s selection had simply never reached the final of an official competition. She has made a habit of adding friendly tournaments to her list of achievements, such as the Cyprus Tournament (2012, 2014), the She Believes Cup (2017), or more recently the French Tournament (2020, 2022 and 2023).

“It’s a page in the history of women’s football in France that is opening”, then agreed to recognize Hervé Renard at the microphone of France Télévisions. The coach, who will celebrate his first anniversary at the head of the Bleues on March 30, warned that he would not be satisfied without a final victory on Wednesday, against the Spanish world champions (easily qualified following a correction inflicted on the Netherlands, 3-0). A speech shared by several of his players, including defender Elisa De Almeida: “It’s the first so it will be remembered, now we have to win.”

Against the black beast

Still, don’t forget to enjoy. To rise to this level, the French women signed what looks like a small feat by managing to dismiss the Germans, who, in addition to having eliminated them from the last Euro, had never lost against them in an official match (four defeats and a draw in five matches). “We knew what we were capable of, we had to prove it on the ground. It’s true that it’s the first time, that’s a good thing.”rejoiced Eugénie Le Sommer, captain for the evening, in the mixed zone. “When you face such an opponent, there is certainly a feeling of inferiority. This is what had to be overcome. The girls played the match that was expected of them, we had to have this strength of character to turn things around”for his part greeted the coach.

Turn things around, or rather resist after taking the lead, given the scenario of the match. If Kadidiatou Diani opened the scoring, the second goal from fullback Sakina Karchaoui was decisive for the Blues. Its first international achievement in 69 meetings is another symbol in this evening of innovations. A goal scored on a penalty, an exercise in which we imagined Eugénie Le Sommer or Marie-Antoinette Katoto taking the ball. “There were three players who were designated to take the penalties. Afterwards, it was the captain who decided and she left her place to Sakina. This is also the strength of the French women’s team. They are united. “noted Hervé Renard.

To top it off in this more-than-perfect trip to Lyon, the Blues were finally able to count on the support of the public, who responded at Groupama Stadium to improve the attendance record for the selection outside the World Cup (30 267 spectators). “A big thank you to the Lyon public, it was a fabulous celebration for French and women’s football. There are a lot of positive things coming together. Now, we have to have this desire to go for this cup”, concluded the coach. To continue its momentum, the French team now knows what to do: win its first title in Seville in four days.