Degrange hails German class

France coach Jean-Michel Degrange was left in awe of an "impressive" Germany side who recovered from an early setback to claim a 2-1 victory in their Group A opener. Germany's Maren Meinert was less enamoured, admitting her charges were perhaps fortunate to escape with the points as, after Jessica Wich had turned the game around with two goals in a minute, she "always felt France could score". Degrange did not, though he was left to wonder what might have been had Léa Rubio's 29th-minute shot crept in rather than come back off the crossbar, preventing Les Bleuettes from taking a two-goal lead.

Maren Meinert, Germany coach
It is always tough when a team scores against you in the first attack. We needed about 15 minutes to recover, to reset, but we did very well in the first half and probably deserved our two goals. The second period was more open again and France played very well – we were perhaps a bit lucky to win in the end. I was not happy with how we played, attacking-wise, in the second half. We wanted to build on the momentum from the two goals in the second half but we didn't do that.

We came under some pressure after half-time as they were dangerous every time with their attackers. They fought hard but I expect my girls to play better offensively too. I always felt France could score so there was pressure – but maybe it's just me. It was no surprise to me that Wich was our goalscorer. In our last game [before these finals] she played very well and I am glad that this is reflected on the scoreboard today. Svenja Huth on the right also had a good game today.

Jean-Michel Degrange, France coach
I would like to congratulate Germany – there was no shame in losing to them today. We played really well overall and had a great chance to score again [when Léa Rubio hit the crossbar from 30 metres]. If that had gone in we'd have been in much better shape but, as often happens in football, we were soon behind. I have to stress again just how impressive Germany's performance was.

We didn't know much about them but history shows just how strong they are in women's football, especially at this level. Yet the gap between us is getting smaller all the time, we're getting closer. We just have to work on our attack. Our philosophy is that the whole team wins, the whole team loses. Today we lost but we have nothing to fear when we take on Belarus.