The reaction of the Belgian international, Maud Coutereels just after their 3-1 success against La Roche ESOF, which allows LOSC to access for the first time in its young history at the D1. An unprecedented rise, which was played twice between the two clubs of D2 Feminine, when the ESOF had claimed the invalidity of a license of a Lille player. The Federal Commission had decided to replay the game of May 14, already won by the LOSC (5-1), this Sunday, June 11. The climb acquired, we discussed the experience of the D2 with the captain of LOSC and what awaits his team next season in the elite.


Victory and climb, what does it do to you?
Well I think it was time, it was important for us to make a good result today, I think we had already won [this climb] the last time [May 14] now it was played again, because of an "administrative" problem. We wanted to show on the field that we deserved [this place of leadership in] this championship and I think it has been proven again today.


We still felt that in the first half you had difficulties, even if you unlocked the situation in the end, with the goal of Manon Gavat, but it's really second that you have assumed this poster?
I think that physically it played well, we were ready, now it's true that we had trouble imposing our game. They played well and they closed all the spaces, to prevent us from playing with our qualities and it is true that there was a little stress anyway in the stake, necessarily, even if we were not afraid, it remains in the mind unconsciously. It a bit ruined our first half, but here we did the job in the end.


In front they also had more experiences of the D1 including you, so it played for them against you, we noticed. You felt it?
I think that, there are eleven girls in the field, we fought with the mind we had, with the solidarity of our group and I think we showed the way today, and it is we who deserve to go in D1.


Is the joy the same as it was four weeks ago or is it different today?
Well we are always wondering if we're up or not (laughs) so we're happy but we abstain a little bit. After the joy she is there and we are happy to finally go to D1.


To go back to your previous match against Arras where you drew, we felt that you have pityed this story of the four points removed.
It always plays a little bit, you know. You win a match, you celebrate the climb and then after two, three days, you are told that there is an administrative problem, it is a little bad morale. A whole season for nothing, we put everything in question and it is true that the coach tried a maximum to really keep our heads out of the water. It's true that Arras we do a draw, it suits us so we were a little sad after that but today we won in this match "replayed". We wanted the replay directly and not go further administratively because it was up to us the players to show on the ground that we had our place in D1 and that it was the best answer today.


To talk about you particularly, you are the most used player by Jérémie Descamps. Your experience is a strength for the team, but did you feel concerned in this match anyway?
Yes I think there was always a stake, I was keen to climb in D1. I came for that too, do not hide it, there was a project behind LOSC. I wanted to go up as fast as possible in D1, I'm 31, I do not really have time in front of me compared to some players. I think Jeremy trusted me all year long, besides I did not miss a single minute in the league, I think it's because I did a good job, I was solid behind and I did what he expected of me. I sacrificed myself for the team by putting my individual qualities to the benefit of the group. This is the best thing to do in a team, do not necessarily put forward especially, I do not want the laurels, the title I'm happy with that for the team.

You play with the national team of Belgium, how do you apprehend this Euro?
We are the first time we are qualified with Belgium so it will be a little special too. We were eliminated each time in the qualifying phase so this is a first for us. We have to go I think without stress, but I think it's not possible, it's a Euro, so it's positive stress. Now we are going back with the national team because we are on stage, the coach has released us today exceptionally to come because he needed us, for a friendly match and we play Tuesday against Japan. We really have to leave for our preparation for the Euro, we are physically well so we are pleased to have this great victory here. (Escalates) So we will go cheerfully in the national team and we will be congratulated by everyone (smile). Tomorrow morning we will get up we will be happy.


I know that you also have a friendly match against France and this one will wait impatiently on our side.
Yes we have a friendly match against France in July in Montpellier. France is a great nation, which is years ahead of Belgium so it's like that, you do not have to be jealous of it and take example, to say that little by little we start to be a small nation which counts, because we show beautiful football too. And having players playing abroad like us in Lille brings a plus to the national team.


And how do you see it this season in D1, because it's going to be a big challenge now? You took your time to go up one can say, compared to another club like Bordeaux.
Yes I think we will have to apprehend it as normally as possible and say that we have nothing to lose. Try not to come down again next season because that would be a bit silly. Now it's up to the club to do what's necessary, like transfers. Now we are a good team I think it just needs something more because necessarily a core in D1 is different to the D2. We'll blow a little (smile), the other players [non-international] are on leave so it'll do them good. We are going to go, we will not ask a thousand questions, we know we will have tough matches against Lyon or the PSG, Montpellier, do not be fooled and remain realistic. These are teams that are stronger, who have the experience of the D1, the budget ... I think Lille really has a beautiful project around the women's section and they really want that in two, three years it is a top club so I think that compared to that we have no blush compared to other teams. We must work every day, more and after we will see. This is the risk of the new, the promoted, you arrive, you will be jostled, it's like that, it's a totally different game. We saw him against Juvisy in the Coupe de France. Now we will play, these are games where will have to be present directly and we will not have to make mistakes because it is paid cash.


I read articles that say that the ESOF will appeal on its side as well, it seems that the soap opera is not finished today.
Well, I hope it's going to end here, and the Federation will make a decision saying it's validated. We replayed the match there. Now it's not up to us [the players] to manage that, it's up to them to make the decisions and their responsibilities. We replayed their match and we won because we had already won (5-1, May 14 last) and we rejoiced (laughs). At one point...