It’s been 12 years since France lifted the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ trophy in Baku, but the memories of that famous shootout victory over Korea DPR still live on.
“Of course we think about it every time 13 October (the date of the 2012 final) rolls around. These are memories that will stay with us forever”, said Lea Declercq.
“I think it’s one of my best memories of playing for France, and even of football in general”, Noemie Carage added. “It’s probably the highlight of my entire career, actually. What we experienced was incredible.”
The two young women have never left the professional game, and are now reunited wearing the colours of Dijon FCO in France’s top flight. While they no longer play for the national team, both woman retain lasting connections of Azerbaijan 2012. There, alongside Sandie Toletti, Kadidiatou Diani and Grace Geyoro, among others, they wrote themselves into the history books.
“There’s a really special bond between the girls that won that World Cup,” continued Declercq. “And great memories, of course.”
The two Dijon players certainly saw their football destinies change thanks to that win. Even though the competition is for teenagers, it serves as a great showcase for youngsters and opens many doors.
“That trophy was a launchpad for the career I have today”, emphasised Declercq. “If it hadn’t been for this World Cup, I wouldn’t have signed for PSG so soon.”
With the eighth edition in the Dominican Republic approaching, and anticipation growing among future participants, they’d be well advised to listen to the Frenchwomen’s recipe for coming out on top.
“If you want to win the World Cup, it’s the team effort that makes the difference,” Carage expalined. “You need to build a strong group on and off the field, with both the regular starters and those who don’t get to play as much and the staff. There really was strength in unity for us.”
“You’ve also got to enjoy it”, added Declercq, who scored France’s goal in the 1-1 final draw. “If you’re not having fun at that age, you’re doomed to failure. You have to be aware of your strengths too. We were convinced our era of players was really strong, and that’s also what allowed us to go all the way.”
Individual talent at an U-17 Women’s World Cup is one thing, but it’s not everything. Collective belief, and the ability to come together when the going gets tough, can really make a big difference, especially for teenagers travelling to the other side of the world, far away from their families for the first time. The magnitude of the event can be overwhelming.
“Yes, we were young, and a long way from home, but we didn’t really feel it, thanks in large part to the group”, Carage recalled. “The days actually went by really quickly, even though we were afraid it might feel long. We had a good time together. We missed our families, of course, but it wasn’t that big a deal.”
“There’s inevitably a bit of pressure, because it’s a big competition”, Declercq acknowledged. “But when you get into that first match, you forget all of that. You just want to enjoy it. We were far from home, but we were like a second family to each other. Everyone got along so well. Without that, we wouldn’t have been able to go all the way.”
That Baku adventure remains Declercq’s and Carage’s sole global finals appearance at any level, meaning the pair have an important message for those headed to Dominican Republic this month.
“It’s a great experience. It’s not every day you get to play in a World Cup,” Declercq stated. “So the main thing is to enjoy it. Have a blast and no regrets!”
“You always have to believe in yourself. Everyone actually thought we’d be returning home early”, Carage admitted. “In the end, anything can happen. You have to have faith in the team because anything is possible!”
Carage’s shirt and gold medal remain carefully framed at her family home. Declercq’s name has a tendency to resurface before every edition, as one of the few female footballers to have scored in a final. There are, in short, many things that regularly reconnect the 2012 world champions to the U-17 Women’s World Cup. This great competition remains forever engraved in its winners’ hearts. The same could surely be said for all those lucky enough to participate in it.
