Pichon pushes France forward

By Matthew Spiro

France striker Marinette Pichon has set her sights on gaining revenge against Norway in this summer's UEFA European Championship in England.

Tough draw
Pichon was secretly hoping to avoid the Scandinavian side when the draw for the group phase took place in Manchester in January. It is not a surprising reflex given the recent history between the two nations. Les Bleues have been eliminated from their last two major tournaments - UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2001™ and the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup - following defeats by Norway in the group stage. "For me, Norway and Germany are the favourites, so to get both of them in the group stage is tough," Pichon told uefa.com.

'Revenge'
Elisabeth Loisel's team start their campaign against Italy on 6 June, but it is the meeting with the Norwegians three days later that is really whetting Pichon's appetite. "There is a strong desire within the team to get revenge against Norway," said France's record goalscorer. "It's not going to be easy but we'll work hard to make sure we're as well prepared as possible."

Better equipped
France have not yet qualified from the group stage at a major tournament in three attempts. But Pichon, who made her international bow in 1994, believes the current team is better equipped than past sides. "We've definitely made progress," said the 29-year-old. "Our results have improved slowly and, as a consequence, more people in France are interested in women's football today.

Key players
"There are several players in the current squad who could really make a name for themselves in England." She refused to reveal names, however, saying: "I don't want to give anything away. If I gave you names, our opponents would then pay extra attention to those players." Midfield pair Sandrine Soubeyrand and Stéphanie Mugneret-Béghé, team-mates of Pichon at Juvisy FCF, are widely regarded as being key to France's hopes, as is experienced defender Corinne Diacre. Nevertheless, Pichon remains the one name that really strikes fear in France's opponents.

Electric pace
At just 1.63m and 55kg, this pocket-sized forward might not look frightening at first glance, but her electric pace and powerful left foot have helped her score an incredible 74 goals in 94 internationals. "I love scoring - the moment the ball hits the net is so special. But then that's my job and I can only do it with the help of my team-mates," Pichon said.

Little recognition
Born in Bar sur Aube, about 200km east of Paris, Pichon showed a passion for football from an early age. "I started kicking a football when I was five," she revealed. "I don't know why I did it. It was just something that happened - something inside me wanted to do it." Women's football gained very little recognition in France during Pichon's youth and she had her work cut out convincing boys to let her play with them. "At first the boys would laugh at me, but they soon respected me once I started scoring some goals!" she said.

Records broken
Pichon, who received considerable encouragement from her mother, did not let the jibes discourage her and was soon breaking records with local team OL Saint Memmie. She finished top of the French league's scoring charts on four occasions, wore the blue of France for the first time against Belgium aged 18, then sealed a dream move to the Philadelphia Charge in the United States in 2001.

MVP
An unmitigated success Stateside, Pichon scored 14 goals in 18 WUSA games in 2002, bringing the Charge to within a goal of the Founders Cup title game, and was voted as the league's most valuable player. "That season represents the best memory of my career," she said. "The two years that I spent in the US were fantastic from a professional point of view. Women's football is different over there. The success of the US national team has helped the sport take off and it was a pleasure to play at such a high level every week."

Determined mood
Back in her homeland, Pichon is banging in the goals on a regular basis for Juvisy, yet insists there is plenty left for her to achieve in the game. "I still want to win a trophy with my club," she said, "but more than anything I'd like to win a trophy with the national team." Norway will be doing their best to prevent that from happening this summer, but with Pichon in determined mood France could take some stopping.