At first glance, composing a group to compete in the Euro football hopes (under 21) is almost impossible. The tournament, biennial, does not enter the calendar of the International Federation (FIFA) and therefore, clubs have no obligation to release their players for the deadline. Gérald Batic, who took over from Thierry Henry at the head of the selection after the Paris Olympic Games, therefore had to be shown to establish his list.
However, these are the blueberries qualified for the semi-finals of the competition, organized in Slovakia, where they face Germany, Wednesday June 25-kick off the match at 9 p.m. in Kosice. The challenge is size: their opponents, titled in 2017 and 2021, have the best attack on this edition, carried by Nick Woltemade, at the top of the scorer ranking with five achievements.
France, it must do without several of its executives, like the attacking midfielder of Monaco Maghnes Akliouche and the Stade Rennais Stadium Arnaud Kalimuendo, retained by their respective clubs. Added to this is the injury package of the former Paris Saint-Germain player Hugo Ekitike and the absence of Captain Enzo Millot “For family reasons”. Without forgetting the promotions of Désiré Goué or more recently of Rayan Cherki (which is also engaged in the Club World Cup with Manchester City), in the group of Didier Deschamps.
Large reshuffle of the workforce
“I am disappointed because I had rich choices, deplored Gérald Batic in the program “RMC Mercato” a few weeks before the Euro. Some time ago, I had three numbers 10, Cherki, gifted, Akliouche. And there, I go from three to any. Two players riding [en équipe A]it’s perfect, but Akliouche is selected [par son club]so it’s more difficult to accept. »»
The former deputy of Thierry Henry, whose contract was renewed until 2027, made against bad fortune good heart. “” We adapt, we know that each list there are twists and turns ”he recognized at a press conference.
This large reshuffle of the workforce does not however seem to have prejudiced the blueberries, which have reached the last square of the competition for the first time since 2019 … Even if the teammates of Mathys such have, on several occasions, bordered by elimination.
After a draw ” interesting “ and who gave “A lot of positive answers” In Gérald Batic and his staff, against Portugal (0-0) for their entry on Wednesday, June 11, the Habs were very close to the exit against Georgia three days later. Led 2 goals to 1 until 88e Minute, the French team went back to Johann Lepenant (89e) and Thierno Barry at the very end of the stoppages (90 + 12e) to win their first victory of the tournament. This torn success has united the group’s ties, according to its coach: “ We feel that a soul [collective] is being born ”, He then underlined.
A “real mental force”
Qualified for the quarterfinals after their demonstration against Poland (4-1) on June 17, the Blueberries believed that their adventure would end at this stage of the competition-as was the case in 2021 and 2023. Six minutes from the end of regulation time, the display table indicated 2-1 in favor of Denmark. The rest? Two goals blowing up by Quentin Merlin (84e) then Mathys Tel (85e) and a victory on the wire.
Newsletter
« Sport »
Surveys, reports, analyzes: sports news in your email box every Saturday
Register
If Gérald Batic hopes well “No longer living this scenario in the rest of the competition”he welcomed the “Real mental strength” shown by his team. “” We are able to do beautiful things together, because we work for each other, Hailed the striker Matthis Abline in turn. It makes you want to go to the end of the competition. »»
France only won the Euro hopes once. It was in 1988, when the selection had young Eric Cantona, Franck Sauzée and Laurent Blanc in its ranks. Since then, the blueberries have not done better than a final lost in 2002 against the Czech Republic. “I am ready for anything to win this title. Even if our goalkeeper scores the winning goal, that suits me ”, joked Mathys Tel during an interview in the columns of The team.
During the silver Olympic epic of the summer of 2024, Thierry Henry had decked out his group of the nickname “Les Fous”. A qualifier that seems to perfectly stick to the skin of this selection, stunning and unpredictable.
