'France must look England straight in the eyes and not lower our heads'

Grace Geyoro, Les Bleues' experienced midfielder, discusses facing the holders, the controversial squad selection and leaving her mark on the game

- Anna Carreau

Grace Geyoro is one of the most experienced players in France's squad for the Euros and was even cited as a potential successor for Wendie Renard, the former captain who has been left out by the head coach, Laurent Bonadei, as have the most-capped players in Les Bleues' history, Eugénie Le Sommer and Kenza Dali. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is going into her sixth major tournament with the national team and has a clear objective: "To win."

Geyoro is optimistic about their chances. "We have a great team, we have young players, we have more experienced players," says the 27-year-old, who has 98 caps and 19 goals for her country. "We score goals, we win important matches. We have players who have won titles this season, in England for example."

Geyoro describes the France team as "very technical, very powerful and very fast", saying: "There are a lot of strikers who are able to play. Our weak points are that we may have less experience because we have not won any titles [at international level]. In difficult times we have to be able to be better because we have had disappointments."

Disappointment is an understatement. France go into most Euros and World Cups among the favourites, but have never reached a final, even falling short at last year's home Olympics. At the last Euros, in England, they lost 2-1 to Germany in the semi-finals.

"Since we prepare competitions one year, two years in advance, when you arrive in the competition and you get eliminated quickly, it has an impact on the mind," she says. "It can be exhausting at some point, especially when you see the team you have."