Blanc at home with Les Bleues

Having made her major finals bow in France's last Group B outing against Norway at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™, defender Delphine Blanc told uefa.com she is fitting in well as Les Bleues target a last-four berth against the Netherlands on Thursday.

Family support
The 26-year-old was given plenty of support in the 1-1 draw with Norway by her father, who first gave her a taste for football and who has taken time off work to follow her performances in Finland. "I was proud and then I was a little anxious because I haven't played that many games at such a high level," she said of the match at the Helsinki Football Stadium. "The support of our families is important – that's what makes us go forward. We heard them in the stands, we felt supported. It was important to us."

Different position
Employed in central defence for her club, Montpellier Hérault SC, Blanc nonetheless had to contend with playing out of position for her country. "With the national team, I play on the right side," she explained. "Given the physical state of the team, with Sandrine Dusang not totally recovered [and not in the squad], Corine Franco injured in the first game and Amandine Henry injured before – I knew that if I was playing, I would be on the side rather than in the middle. But I like this position."

Good atmosphere
She also feels a fully fledged squad member, despite earning only 12 caps since her March 2006 debut. "The atmosphere's good," she said. "There are different generations but we more or less know each other. We meet every weekend in the league and that makes integration easier."

Quarter-finals
The former Olympique Lyonnais and RC Saint-Étienne player knows a little less than many of her colleagues about the Netherlands, however, having not featured in the 2-0 home loss to the Oranje last December. "I don't know this team very well but I think they're within our reach," she said. "But in a football match, anything can happen. We have to get ready in order to qualify for the semi-finals. It would be really disappointing [to lose] because I think we have what it takes to do something good. We were very satisfied to progress. Now, as we're here, we might as well go all the way."