The France team delivered a message of power for its entry into the women’s Euro, Sunday July 10 in Rotherham, rolling before half-time on an Italy team (5-1) burned by offensive sparks tricolors and the amazing Grace Geyoro, credited with a surprising hat-trick.
Les Bleues, expected at the turn, inflicted on the Italians the biggest card of the first day, even larger than the river scores achieved by the Germans (4-0), the Norwegians and the Spaniards (4-1) before them in start of the tournament.
The label of favorites did not seem too heavy to bear for the French, feet to the floor against the Italians overwhelmed by waves of attacks from the right, left and center.
Gros frisson
Barbara Bonansea’s team missed their chance when the Juve star winger missed their face-to-face with Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, guardian of the Imperial Blue Temple in front of her club teammate (4th).
Because after this big thrill, the Blues warmed the hearts of their supporters scattered around the small New York stadium, where some 8,500 fans had taken place, launching a fiery American quarter of an hour with goals signed Geyoro (9th) and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (12th).
The start could have hurt even more if the post had not repelled the attempt by “MAK” (15th) after a throw-in from Delphine Cascarino preceded by a roulette, small bridge and cross combo from Kadidiatou Diani, untenable on her right wing. “At one point, we didn’t believe it ourselves on the bench”smiled coach Corinne Deacon at half-time, surprised by the insolent success of her players.
The dream of a first title
Les Bleues had indeed secured the victory even before the second period, which started at 5-0. On the other hand, they eased off and conceded an avoidable goal from the incoming Martina Piemonte (76th), then were relieved by a save from Selma Bacha and a parade from Peyraud-Magnin in added time.
With this thunderous start, France sweeps away the skepticism born of two preparation matches without great adversity, against Cameroon (4-0) and Vietnam (7-0), and strengthens the position of its coach. “Not always judged at its fair value”Corinne Deacon “deserves the trust of the federation”supported the boss of the FFF, Noël Le Graët, in an interview with The Team and AFP before kick-off.
If the momentum generated on Sunday were to be confirmed, the future of Deacon would become even clearer. In the meantime, France fly over their group ahead of Iceland and Belgium (who drew 1-1 earlier on Sunday), with Italy bringing up the rear. And the dream of a first title, July 31 at Wembley, remains intact.
