The French can savor their trophy: certainly honorary, this second title in two editions of the Tournoi de France is a far from trivial reward for a team in constant evolution, which gives itself a good dose of confidence before the European Championship in England (July 6-31), where Les Bleues hope to win their first major title.

If this training was criticized for lacking adversity, the February rally really made it possible to gauge the evolution of the selection of Corinne Deacon, launched on a series of 10 victories, unprecedented under the mandate of the coach.

After an authoritarian introduction against Finland (5-0), the French women raised the bar against Brazil, beaten 2-1 on Saturday in Caen, and especially against the players from the Netherlands, world No.5, champions Europe 2017 and finalists of the last World Cup.

The "Madjers" of Katoto

The performance of Les Bleues in the freshness of the Stade Océane notably made it possible to isolate two bosses, whose status continues to assert itself: Wendie Renard and Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

The first, captain's armband around the biceps, scored without shaking the penalty for the opener (20th), granted on a questionable hand from Aniek Nouwen.

The second, still as comfortable as a pivot, with her back to goal, and confusing in her ball calls, intelligently concluded a millimeter service from Kadidiatou Diani (25th) before signing a double (74th).

Two heels in "Madjer" mode.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto alone in the defense of the Netherlands scores the goal of the break for the Bleues in the final of the Tournoi de France in Le Havre, February 22, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP

The two compatriots had already shone in the tournament, each offering a double, Renard against Finland and Katoto against Brazil.

The Lyon defender took the opportunity to become the 7th best scorer in Les Bleues history, tied with Elodie Thomis (32 goals).

As for Katoto, she panics the counters with 23 goals in 26 selections.

The approximately 5,231 spectators who came to support Les Bleues, a rather disappointing figure for the evening poster after a France-Brazil match of 12,000 people, will undoubtedly not regret their choice: the French have multiplied the offensive festivals, like an untenable Diani on his right side.

Launched towards the Euro

For her part, Corinne Deacon will perhaps be more demanding of her group, she who noted some inaccuracies in the relaunch at halftime, at the microphone of W9.

The coach was right.

Because if the superstar Vivianne Miedema was muzzled until her exit at half-time after physical discomfort, the Netherlands came to surprise the Habs as soon as they returned from the locker room, with a corner played quickly and concluded by Lineth Beerensteyn ( 50th).

Already in the first period, the other star of the "Lionesses Oranje", Lieke Martens, had missed the unmissable, alone in front of goal (5th), and Victoria Pelova touched the crossbar at the end of the match (85th).

These small largesse are to be erased by the Euro, where the Blue could also find the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

The joy of the Bleues after the goal of Marie-Antoinette Katoto (N.9) in the Tournoi de France in Le Havre, February 22, 2022 FRANCK FIFE AFP

Another challenge awaits Deacon in the coming weeks: maintaining the state of mind in a locker room where the turmoil of the Kheira Hamraoui case, attacked in November in the presence of her teammate Aminata Diallo, a time suspected, continues to to exist.

Tuesday evening again, Katoto and Diani, whose agreement with Hamraoui questions, celebrated a goal by forming an "A" with their fingers, a dedication to their teammate Aminata Diallo, absent from the rally unlike Hamraoui ... A gesture however far from tarnishing the almost perfect evening of the Blue, well launched towards the Euro.

© 2022 AFP