Women's Euro: Les Bleues in search of their first trophy, should we believe it?

Football, rugby, handball, and basketball. Four sports, eight French teams, and one ugly duckling. The French football team has been hearing the same old story for far too long: when will we get a major trophy? The main players involved are well aware that triumphs in the Tournoi de France (2020, 2022, 2023) or the SheBelieves Cup (2017) have nowhere near the value that, say, a triumph at Euro 2025 would have, an adventure that begins with a perilous duel against England on Saturday (9 p.m.).

"Our goal is to go all the way, to give everything to win a trophy," Laurent Bonadei told Le Figaro . The coach, however, tempered the statement: "We're positioning ourselves as outsiders since we've never won anything yet, so we can't be considered favorites. Especially in a group where we have the last two winners of the Euro, a very, very difficult group."

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France was not lucky in the draw. Seeded thanks to its good record in qualifying, it was given the European champions England and the Netherlands, 11th nation in the Fifa rankings behind... France. Les Bleues really can't puff out their chests, they who have never tasted a Euro or World Cup final under Corinne Diacre (2017-2023) and who did not go beyond the quarterfinals at the 2023 World Cup and the Paris Olympics , despite Hervé Renard's gamble.

So much for the glass half empty. Because there are also reasons for hope, for dreams. Les Bleues attack the Euro after eight straight victories. A 6/6 in the Nations League followed by a demonstration against Belgium (5-0) and a painful comeback against Brazil , 4th nation in the world (3-2). "We have acquired a lot of experience and confidence. We must show that we will not be an easy team to maneuver, but we must not get carried away by the results and remain in this position with humility and work," balanced Bonadei.

On paper, Les Bleues are not lacking in assets. Starting with the depth of their attack, where they can offer explosiveness (Diani, Cascarino, Malard), finishing (Katoto, Baltimore) or technical subtlety (Mateo). With hard-working midfielders (Toletti, Geyoro...) and experience in all positions, France will especially have to monitor their defensive management of space, undermined by Brazil, to avoid overloading Peyraud-Magnin, who was certainly decisive against the Seleção and has reached maturity as the oldest player in the squad (33 years old).

We are keen to get one, because it will forever remain the first for the French women's team.

Elisa De Almeida, player of the French team

There is also a silver lining to be found in the misfortune of others. England saw their iconic goalkeeper, Mary Earps, who had become a substitute, unexpectedly retire from international football a month ago. Defender Millie Bright, exhausted by a long season with Chelsea, withdrew from the Euro 2020. England were beaten 2-1 by Spain in early June, while the Netherlands were thrashed 4-0 by Germany.

Depending on their result on Saturday, France could either immediately advance to the quarter-finals or face a "final" against the Dutch on June 13. The match against Wales (June 9), the Euro's underdog, should be a formality. Bonadei, who praised the "character" of his flock after the victory over Brazil, will be able to use this empty trophy cabinet to motivate them.

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"We are keen to get one, because it will forever remain the first of the French women's team," defender Elisa De Almeida told us . There is no time for urgency. Bonadei, quick to point out that he signed for three years, until the 2027 World Cup, justified the non-selections of Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer in the name of the "future" of the French team.

Some players, already valuable (Bacha, Baltimore, Malard...) or set to become so (Samoura, Sombath...), are no more than 25 years old, and only Majri and Peyraud-Magnin are over 30. Slowly but surely, the pawns are being placed in an attempt to offer French women's football a patch of blue sky.