France block Marley's path to history

Mo Marley will attempt to become the first England manager in over a quarter of a century to successfully defend a major title when her side take on France in the 2010 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final on Saturday. But with predictions of an open game, a French side peaking at just the right time will present a real obstacle.

It is 26 years since Dave Sexton guided the men's U21 team to back-to-back European titles. English success has been fleeting since, struggling to create the winning legacy of, say, Germany or Spain. Yet as she gears up for a third showpiece in four years, Marley stands at the precipice of doing so in Skopje, retaining a trophy she claimed in Minsk ten months ago. "After last year we set out our objective: to retain the title," said the 43-year-old. "After such a good, hard year last year, and the enjoyment that came with victory, we wanted to do our best and see how long we could hold the title."

England have not dominated opponents here as their slick side did last season. In the past they may have fallen away, though this squad have kept their composure and always done enough – not least in their shoot-out victory over the Netherlands in the last four. "Rather than being happy merely to qualify for the finals, we're focusing on going that one, difficult stage further – setting the standard with a winning mentality," said Marley. "That's the difference now: players want to be the best. It won't always happen but we're approaching it correctly."

As are France. Two minutes away from the final last year before they were swept away by Sweden in extra time, fortune has favoured Jean-Michel Degrange's charges this time around. Defeated 2-0 by the Netherlands in their opening game – a match the coach admits still does not sit well with him – they had to endure an avalanche of late Spanish pressure before winning their second and needed the Dutch to beat Spain to scrape through. Les Bleuettes were far more impressive last time out, however, seeing off favourites Germany – 2-1 group-stage victors against England – on spot-kicks.

"The girls were very disappointed last year so they are delighted to have gone one step further this time around by getting to the final," said Degrange, whose squad, like England since injury ruled out Laura Coombs, features 11 survivors from Belarus. "We hope we can take this extra step but we have a lot of respect for the English team, the titleholders. I haven't seen much of the English team yet, that will be my homework for this afternoon and evening, but of what I have seen they are focused on the attack, a little like us. That means there will be plenty of opportunities."