This weekend begins the second phase of the U19 Challenge composed of two championships elite and excellence. Gilles Eyquem, U19 coach returns on this new championship and reminds that this reform is a good thing for the progression of the players. He also expects the best of them for; he hopes so; Euro 2016 to be held in Slovakia next July. Selected pieces.
How do you see this reform?
This is an advantage for all because the matches will be more balanced and the championships more homogeneous. It's a good thing for girls to play more against teams of their level, they will progress better with this new formula.

The favorites seem to be the same as in D1: the big budget pros clubs
Yes we certainly risk finding them in the final. Paris, Lyon and Montpellier are favorites and some like PSG use this team as their reserve team since they do not have DH (only Lyon has one in this trio, ed). It allows their youngsters to play at high level before playing with the first team. Indeed we see the big clubs in front, but Juvisy for example has a good team even if it seems a little below, last year Toulouse also had a big project for the U19 but it had not worked (paid in the championship excellence).

Is it a big advantage for the players to play in the elite for the France team?
Yes it's more interesting obviously, but it seems to me that most of my players are already in the elite league or in the senior groups so it will not change much. Lyonnaises are sometimes in the pro group or sometimes in DH as Lucie Pingeon or Estelle Cascarino. Afterwards I must also see if Philippe Bergeroo do not sting them, like Delphine Cascarino he called this week. In clubs like PSG there are also some who are called in first team (Katoto, Sarr) so it's still a bigger learning for them.

How do you choose the matches you will see? It will be only the elite championship?
Unfortunately I can not go see the matches myself because I also have the position of technical adviser of Aquitaine but I have many people who make me their returns. I am in contact with my fellow coaches or supervisors who do it for me. If I happen to be able to go watch matches yes it will be matches of the elite championship.

Photo credit: Giovani Pablo

Author: Adrien BRAY