PREVIEW 2009 UEFA WOMEN’S EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS

In just four days time some of the top countries in women’s football will be competing for the right to be called European champions. The championships in Finland will play host to some of the biggest names in women’s football. Here at Womans Soccer Insider we take a look at the nations , their star /key players and brightest new talent. Who will end up in WPS. Can anyone stop the Germans? We will give you our thoughts and more over the next few days leading up to the start of the Championships.

So far we have taken a look at Germany, Sweden and Denmark.
Next up.....



France



Ranked 4th in Europe and 8th in the world, France are the team that everyone is waiting to explode on to the international stage as a dominant women’s football team, Just like the men’s team did in France 98.The squad is Filled with talented players coached from a young age at the prestigious Clairefontaine(French Football Academy). Clairefontaine is recognised as one of the finest football academy’s in the world. It has a high reputation of producing some of the most gifted French football players including Thierry Henry.
The squad that coach Bruno Bini has picked is packed with experience, technical ability and raw talent.
In the last few European Championships France have failed to get out of the group stages but optimism is high this time. With a bunch of players that have come through the ranks with each other now having matured and the squad filled with many players from arguably one of the best club sides in Europe and in France, Olympique Lyonnais, the squad have been playing attractive, technically skilled football, attracting attention from the media and the fans.
France put in a pretty convincing qualifying campaign winning 7 out of 8 matches conceding only 2 goals.
Our dark horse team. Come on Les Blues.



Sonia Bompastor (Key Player)

Is one of the best players to come out of France since Marinette Pichon.
A veteran of the national team with 105 caps. She has scored 11 goals and played in the 2003 World Cup and 2005 European championships.
Bompastor can play anywhere on the field, defence , midfield and even up front and has a lethal left foot with which she uses to strike at goal or provide accurate balls for her teamates to get on the end of. Normally deployed in the left of midfield or left of the defence.
She is also Known for her tenacity, never say die attitude and leadership skills which has seen her Captain the national squad and the club side Olympique Lyonnais. The latter to two French championships and a French cup. Was Voted France’s player of the year in 2004 & 2008.
Bompastor was one of the few Europeans to cross the Atlantic to the new Women’s Professional Soccer league in America playing for the Washington Freedom.
In the WPS Bompastor impressed everyone with her game and professionalism. She has received Player of the Week and Player of the Month accolades and was also chosen for the WPS All-Star team.



Louisa Necib (Fresh Face)

22 year old Necib is the rising star of French women’s football. The attacking midfielder is a product of Clairefontaine and has been likened to the French player Zinedine Zidane, due in part to her Algerian roots but also to her skill in midfield.
Necib is a playmaker with good technical ability and passing skills. She is a dead ball specialist and her accurate service to team-mates has put her on the map as one of the best midfielders in women’s football.
Necib played in the 2005 European Championships in England. She has 33 appearances and scored 4 goals for France.
Joined Olympique Lyonnais from Montpelier in 2007 and made an immediate impact. Scoring 17 goals in the season helping Olympique Lyonnais to the French Championship, the French Cup and to the Semi-Finals of the Women’s Uefa Cup.
Voted France’s Player of The Year for 2009.
Was drafted by WPS team Washington Freedom but decided to stay with Olympique Lyonnais. It's only a matter of time.