France
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Article summary
Champions in 2003 and three times runners-up, France certainly possess the pedigree to be considered genuine contenders for glory in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
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Having reached the last four in 2009, France booked their place at this summer's finals on the last day of second qualifying round action. In what had been an open section, Jean-Michel Degrange's team went into the deciding fixtures level with Austria, but made sure of progress by defeating mini-tournament hosts Hungary 4-0 while their rivals drew with Switzerland. Winners in 2003 and runners-up three times, France's pedigree means they are always contenders.
First qualifying round: Georgia 7-0, Turkey 5-1, Serbia 5-0(Group 7 winners)
Second qualifying round: Switzerland 1-0, Austria 0-0, Hungary 4-0 (Group 2 winners)
Top scorer: Pauline Crammer (6)
Key players
Laëtitia Philippe (goalkeeper, Montpellier Hérault SC), Kelly Gadéa (defender, AS Saint-Etienne), Léa Rubio (midfielder, Montpellier Hérault SC), Marina Makanza (midfielder, AS Saint-Étienne), Pauline Crammer (forward, FC Hénin-Beaumont)
Coach: Jean-Michel Degrange
Date of Birth: 2 April 1953
Nationality: French
Playing career: SO Pont-de-Cheruy, US Corbelin, Côtière Meximieux-Villieu
Coaching career: France Women's U19s
After a modest playing career in the lower divisions in France, Jean-Michel Degrange began working as a player/coach in the regional Rhone Alpes league in 1975, obtaining his official qualifications seven years later. He was integrated into the French Football Federation's (FFF) technical team in 1991, operating for a decade in the Drome Ardeche district before returning to coach in the Rhone Alpes league.
Degrange replaced Stéphane Pilard at the helm of France Women's U19s in August 2008, successfully negotiating qualifying for the 2008/09 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship. After topping their group in Belarus, they lost 5-2 after extra time to Sweden in the semi-finals.
Team records
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship best
Winners: 2003
Runners-up: 2002, 2005, 2006
Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship
Runners-up: 1998
UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship
Runners-up: 2008