Before France / Spain, we found Gilles Eyquem, Selma Bacha and Christy Gavory in a press conference to have their impressions on the confrontation that awaits them tomorrow against the Spanish.

How do you feel about tomorrow's match?

Selma Bacha - We're in a hurry to be tomorrow. We know we've had a good run so far, and I hope it's going to continue. We are ready.

On playing at home

S. B. - It is true that we have a little pressure because we are in France and must not disappoint the supporters, our staff and I hope we will go to the end.

Christy Gavory - I think it's a positive pressure in a way, because it's true that we have support from a lot of people around. It's not a negative pressure, but we know we have to make everyone around us proud.

Gilles, can you describe your expectations for tomorrow against Spain?

G.Eyquem - Not much new, we are still in the dynamic of preparing well these matches. It's quite easy to do because I even tend to say that you have to be attentive because the girls want to quickly find themselves on the ground, to face these Spanish for several reasons. On the one hand, since the match against the Netherlands (won 4-0), the girls have taken the full measure of this World Cup and the team is more and more successful, I think it is a lot more united, much more focused on the goal and there is a rather positive response on the ground with solidarity and a lot of focus on the tasks to be done.

Big rise in power since the match against New Zealand?

C.G. - There is a big rise thanks to the victories. It's true that when you win, obviously, it's always a plus for the team. We have a very close group, who lives well so it helps us a lot for the competition and everyone has a common goal.

S.B - It's true that after the game against New Zealand, we had a meeting between players. We talked, we said things and since then, it's better. We are stronger mentally, we are welded together and that is our strength today.

Selma, does your experience with the Champions League help you better understand this type of event?

S.B - Exactly because with Lyon, I knew the high-level and this competition is the high level and I'm even more ready?

On the physical form

C.G. - Physically, we felt a little tired at first but we had a few days off, so that's fine. We do massages to rest well and after it's in the head, so we're ready.

S.B. - I think exactly the same. After each game, we have two days off. Holders have days of recovery and substitutes train like that, we are on the same wavelength and it's perfect.

CDF - It seems that Spain is on a downward slope unlike the Bleuettes. Does it give more confidence?

G.E - I do not know if I would do the same analysis in relation to the downward slope of the Spanish. It's still a very nice team, which has a lot of strengths and arguments. Indeed, we can think that physically, they fall in rhythm in the second half. So, is it about scoring and managing or not necessarily making a lot of turnover because I think it's pretty much the same from the beginning. They had big matches to get out of the pool and therefore little opportunity to rotate the squad.

Is this an advantage? I think we have a broader opportunity to run a little bit and it's a management that I hope will lead us to the end of the competition.

Did the match against North Korea, which demanded a lot of values, forged even more the U20 group?

GE - I do not know, but what is certain is that by seeing what they have been doing on the pitch since the match against New Zealand, we see them growing in solidarity, but that's really blatant on the defensive aspects especially where we are much more efficient, much more compact and I think this is one of the keys against Spain tomorrow. Do not let them own because we know they love it. Put the same commitment, the same aggressiveness and get them to develop our game too because we have assets and arguments to scare them too.

Failure to find Amelie Delabre against North Korea

G.E. - We did not work specifically. We make a comeback tonight in relation to the match and these situations a little bit of problems. We must essentially continue on the dynamics of the transition game, which we did yesterday. For today, it's more recovery, the defensive aspects, see how we can deal with the situations that Spain likes to put in place and behind to project ourselves quickly to go push them.

What does this match against Spain represent?

C.G. - Me, I still have bitter memories, I played against them in U17 and U19 the season, with two defeats against Spain. Personally, it's a revenge but it's a new group so I think a win would do us a lot better.

S.B. - This is not a revenge for me because I have already played against them we made a draw. They eliminated us in U17 but it's past. We will focus on the future and we will see the score in the end tomorrow, but having a win is very very good.

G.E - I might be inclined to say what I already said against Korea (smile). In 2014, they let us win, in 2016, we let them win so in 2018, I hope that for the Spanish, it will be the same thing. It's our turn! (Laughter)

CDF - Les Bleuettes progress from match to match. Concentration and defensive strength will be the big instructions of this match against Spain?

G.E. - Yes I think that a team that wants to go far is obliged to have a solid defensive base and it is not only the defenders. It's up to the whole group to defend together and I think we've seen the previous two games, we were much more compact, more aggressive and I think that will be the key to the game tomorrow. Being able to prevent this Spanish team from developing their game because they will make us turn and it will be complicated later. On the other hand, if we are able to reproduce what we did against the Koreans, be more aggressive and prevent them from continuing, I think that behind, we will have the assets to really annoy them.

Is the group 100% operational?

G.E. - A 99% because there is still Julie Piga who has a small pain in her ankle but she will still be present with the group and ready to give 200% on the field if I appeal to her.

Another turn-over on the match?

G.E. - I like to run. I think it can affect everyone and use the freshness of those who played a little less. We look at all this and those that will, in my eyes, to put our game plan in place and those who will be on the bench will be at heart, as soon as they return to give their maximum to go for the qualification for the final .

CDF - Les Bleuettes have never been scored. Are they preparing for this situation?

G.E. - We know that they start very well their match, score pretty quickly on virtually every game. We did not prepare for that, we worked on the defensive aspects to not allow them to evolve as easily as they did in previous matches. I saw all their games except against the Japanese where they were in trouble and they scored only on set kick because the Japanese defended well but against the United States, it's the big boulevards, same against Nigeria. Faced with a team like that, if we leave room, we do not see the ball. I hope that for us [...] it will be old Concarneau.

CDF - Christy you play at a post (midfielder) who will be highly watched tomorrow in relation to the intensity and strength of Spain on this area. Will this be an opportunity to prove that it was a misstep last year at the Euro?

C.G. - That's for sure! In any case, we will have to be good defensively. I have already played so I know a little how it goes; I know that we will have to run a lot and I am ready to make efforts.

On the atmosphere of Vannes

G. - Will have to ask Selma (smile). It is the calmest of the group (smile).

S.B - It's lively but still focused, we know it's going to be a big game and we'll give it all. Outside the field, we talk a lot, we are very supportive.

G.E - I confirm, it's very happy.

A plan to prevent playing Patri Guijarro?

G. E. - Not necessarily. I think there are other players who are also bases for launching their game. I think in particular the little 14 (note: Aitana Bonmati) who is a player who directs a lot the game, relays a lot. Indeed, Guijarro is a player to watch but she is more in a role of second attacker, close enough to watch on the second balloons because she has a nice shot, often in the right place and at the right time. There is no "Guijarro plan" at this level but it is more their ability to lead the ball into the opposing camp where you have to be vigilant to try to cut the passes to these players who can hurt us.

Between the home team and the European Champion, who is the favorite?

G.E. - I would tend to want to believe that our desire and our determination [...] What I see with girls tells me that we have a good part to play.

S.B. - We eliminated the defending champion so why not eliminate the champions of Europe.

Does Corinne Deacon give you advice on this world?

G.E.- No, no, at all. She is really here to watch this World Cup. It may have special interests for upcoming deadlines. Seriously, she is there, she is not involved at all, she is a supporter, an observer essentially and I do not ask him anything, does not communicate anything to him. I make my choices, I assume and I will go after my ideas. Alone.

Dounia MESLI & Karim Erradi