Women's World Cup 2015: France Team Guide
The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada is just nine days away, and France coach Philippe Bergeroo is putting the finishing touches to his squad in preparation for their first game against England on June 9.
France are one of the favourites for the whole tournament, but they know that they have to start quickly in order to take control of Group F. Dropping points against England could mean they end up with a difficult game in the last 16.
They will play their final pre-tournament friendly against Scotland on Friday, and it will be the last chance for members of Les Bleues to make a case for a starting spot in Moncton.
The Road to Canada
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France finished their qualifying campaign as winners of Group 7. They won all 10 games and scored 54 goals in the process, including a 24-0 aggregate win in their two games against Bulgaria.
Finland came as close as anyone to matching the French, but even they got beaten 2-0 at home.
UEFA Qualifying Group 7
Top Scorers
Gaetane Thiney – 14 goals, Marie-Laure Delie – 9, Eugenie Le Sommer – 7, Wendie Renard – 5, Camille Abily, Louisa Necib - 4
FIXTURES
September 25, 2013: Kazakhstan 0-4 France
Goals: Delie (15'), Thiney (17', 37'), Delannoy (21')
October 31, 2013: Austria 1-3 France
Goals: Wenniger (65')
Necib (16'), Henry (18'), Renard (61')
November 23, 2013: Bulgaria 0-10 France
Goals: Delie (2', 6', 10'), Thiney (9', 75', 80'), Renard (19', 34'), Bussaglia (73'), Le Sommer (81')
November 27, 2013: France 14-0 Bulgaria
Goals: Thiney (1', 4', 11', 41', 83'), Le Sommer (3', 24, 45+1', 90'), Necib (6'), Renard (21', 37'), Abily (48'), Georges (57')
April 5, 2014: France 7-0 Kazakhstan
Goals: Delie (9', 12'), Thomis (14'), Abily (21', 24'), Thiney (54', 88')
April 9, 2014: France 3-1 Austria
Goals: Bussaglia (31' pen), Delie (36'), Thomis (39')
Puntigam (58')
May 7, 2014: France 4-0 Hungray
Goals: Thomis (35'), Abily (52'), Thiney (61'), Majri (89')
August 20, Hungary 0-4 France
Goals: Le Sommer (10', 25'), Smuczer (39' OG), Delie (73')
September 13, 2014: Finland 0-2 France
Goals: Necib (24'), Thiney (58')
September 17, 2014: France 3-1 Finland
Goals: Bussaglia (44'), Necib (66'), Delie (71')
Squad List
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The final 23-player squad was named on 23 April:
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Coach Profile: Philippe Bergeroo
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After finishing fourth at the World Cup in 2011 and then again at the London Olympics, France's goal is to go all the way in Canada. When Bruno Bini stepped down in 2013, in Philippe Bergeroo, France hired someone who has done it all before.
The former Toulouse and Bordeaux goalkeeper was part of the coaching staff when Les Bleus lifted the World Cup in 1998.
Under the former regime, Les Bleues already played with great movement and an impressive one-touch passing style, but Bergeroo has worked to build upon that and take them to the next level.
He has tried to add organisation, hard-work and an increased level of fitness to the natural talent in the squad.
The 61-year-old has top-level experience with Rennes and Paris Saint-Germain in the men's game and was also a successful coach of the under-17 France team before stepping up to become the women's coach.
His goal is to take France one step further and finish on the podium. That is the minimum expected and would secure qualification to the 2016 Olympic Games.
Star Player: Louisa Necib
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Now established as one of the best teams in women’s football, the pressure is on France to produce this summer. The national gasped in February as Louisa Necib was injured in a friendly against the United States, but her return in Lyon’s 2-1 Coupe de France win over Montpellier means the World Cup will have one of its superstars on show come June 9.
Due to her background and style of play, Necib was initially labelled as the “Female Zidane”, but as time has passed, so has the moniker, allowing the 28-year-old to build her own legacy.
Just like the World Cup winner, the ball almost effortlessly sticks to her feet. Necib’s exceptional technique, mixed with a superb understanding of the game and wonderful vision, make her a joy to watch.
Very rarely does the Lyon midfielder waste the ball, she sees passes that others don’t and knows how and when to use her talents to best effect.
Four years ago she was an emerging star, now she is one of the contenders to displace Marta as the queen of the game. If she can help guide France toward the final, there will be a case for labelling her the world’s best.
One to Watch: Eugenie Le Sommer
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Ever since she asked for her first pair of football boots at just two years old, Eugenie Le Sommer has been a born goalscorer. Whether it’s scoring all five goals in a 5-0 win as a kid or 28 in just 21 games for Lyon this season, the 26-year-old doesn’t know any other way to play.
Under Bruno Bini, she played mostly out on the wing. Now playing as the second-striker, she has scored 15 goals in 24 games since Philippe Bergeroo took over Les Bleues.
This change is geared to getting the very best out of Le Sommer. She is blessed with great technique—which she uses to draw defenders in, before a burst of pace takes her clear of most.
She is small for a centre-forward but allowed to roam—her unselfish play and outstanding ability to change direction makes her a nightmare to track.
Playing together for club and country, Louisa Necib and Le Sommer have a telepathic understanding and combine and swap positions almost seamlessly. Their styles complement each other so well and helped Le Sommer score seven goals in qualifying for the Canada tournament.
World Cup Record
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1991 China: Did Not Qualify
1995 Sweden: Did Not Qualify
1999 USA: Did Not Qualify
2003 USA: Group Stage (3rd, Group B)
France managed a 1-0 win against South Korea, but failure to beat either Norway or Brazil saw them eliminated at the group stage.
2007 China: Did Not Qualify
2011 Germany: Fourth Place
Les Bleues finished second behind Germany in the group stage but were able to squeeze past England on penalties before losing 3-1 to the United States in the semi-final.
Elodie Thomis scored an equaliser in the second half against Sweden, but Bruno Bini’s side would lose 2-1 and finish fourth.
Group Fixtures
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There will be no settling-in period for Group F. The two teams that start the tournament as the favourites to advance face each other in Moncton, and the winner will likely finish atop the group.
With the prospect of Norway or Germany in the knockout round for the second placed side, Bergeroo and his team need to hit the ground running.
France vs. England
June 9, 2015, 14:00 local time
Moncton Stadium, Moncton, New Brunswick
France vs. Colombia
June 13, 2015, 14:00 local time
Moncton Stadium, Moncton, New Brunswick
Mexico v. France
June 17, 2015, 16:00 local time
Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec
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