Patras (Greece) (AFP)

The captaincy of Wendie Renard, announced the day before to everyone's surprise, opened with a festival of goals against Greece (10-0), Friday in Patras, in qualifying for the World-2023, a welcome performance for the team of France after tormented months.

Bright orange armband on the left arm, the multi-titled defender of Olympique Lyonnais enjoyed her first Marseillaise as captain of the Tricolores in the privacy of the Pampeloponnisiako stadium, in front of some 150 spectators and in a postcard setting.

Sun and blue sky above heads, mountainous massif and sea of ​​oil in the background: the serenity of the place inspired the Bleues who did not have to force their return to succeed, well helped by the weak opposition of 'a Greek team relegated to 64th place in the Fifa rankings.

Corinne Deacon had focused her early preparation on "offensive principles" and her players gave her an exemplary copy before the break, with a scathing 7-0.

The Lyonnaise Amel Majri launched the assault by dribbling the Greek goalkeeper after a subtle control in the race (14th) and many people took part in the party afterwards: Viviane Asseyi (65th), Grace Geyoro (15th, 40th), Kadidiatou Diani (38th) and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (18th, 25th, 52nd), for his first hat-trick at 22 in the blue jersey.

And for the evening to be perfect, it was "captain Wendie" who closed the score from the penalty spot (90th + 2) in added time.

- Valves, so near so far -

To find traces of such a river score, there is no need to go back far in time.

In December 2020, the French had outclassed the very modest Kazakhstan team (12-0), two goals from the national record.

But the atmosphere was far from being so relaxed in the cold and the night of Vannes, the Bleues then being shaken by the multiple tensions between the coach and her fallen captain, Amandine Henry.

The OL midfielder attended the match from the stand, sitting among the substitutes next to ... Renard.

Since then, Henry has moved further away from the selection, both for his athletic performance and because of the competition, according to the coach.

Striker Marie Antoinette Katoto, with the Bleues in the center of Clairefontaine on April 5, 2021, offered a hat-trick against Greece FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

Deacon on the other hand promoted Renard captain for the Euro scheduled for July 2022 in England, after removing his armband at the start of his term four years ago.

The affair had caused a stir at the time, blurred the relationship between the two women and contributed to the gloomy atmosphere in selection.

This spectacular turnaround, announced Thursday in Patras, is a choice guided by "the best interests of the France team", to provide the means "to get this first title" next summer at the Euro, justified the former coach of Clermont (L2).

Ten months before the tournament, the season is in any case off to a good start.

Tuesday in Slovenia, the Blue will have the opportunity to continue this good dynamic against an opponent still far from his standing.

© 2021 AFP