LONG READ Morgane Bourgeois’ Women's World Cup notebook: The 1st Chapter

Preparation felt both long and short at the same time. More than a series of camps, it was a journey in itself. A pause in our lives, filled with effort, laughter, tough moments and highs. Six weeks that shaped us into a team ready to face the world.

It all began in Marcoussis. Straight away we were thrown into the grind, training under a suffocating heatwave. The heat made everything harder, but the desire was there, everywhere. We sweated, we stumbled at times. But we built something: game plans, bonds, meaning. Between sessions we gathered around pétanque (boules), Molly or Breton shuffleboard. The team spirit was already alive.

One memory stands out—the climb up the Eiffel Tower. Raising the jersey into the Paris sky before dreaming of lifting it higher still.

Then came the mountains. A stunning, almost unreal setting: untamed nature, pure air, a luxury hotel. But altitude reminded us nothing would be easy. Oxygen thin, breathing heavy, restless nights. The body battled, the mind too. Yet it was there the group tightened. We learned to push limits in an challenging environment. Three times we cycled up to the glacier, testing ourselves against hypoxia, against doubt. Brutal sessions, but powered by collective strength.

Throughout the experience, one truth became clear: the World Cup is about more than just competition. It’s a human adventure — perhaps the adventure of a lifetime. What matters is the life of the group. The looks, the encouragement, the shared laughter and the bad days lifted together. Those bonds, forged away from the spotlight, are what prepare us for what lies ahead.

Even arriving in England, ‘just down the road’, took a full day. There was a flight, long waits and a wild bus ride. At last, we dropped our bags, feeling relieved. But the next morning, reality struck: the World Cup had truly begun.

On our day off, the city revealed itself draped in World Cup colors—posters and banners everywhere. No doubt, we were at the heart of it all.

The opening ceremony was our first emotional jolt. Walking into Exeter Cathedral and being greeted like stars was overwhelming. You could feel the weight of it without quite grasping it. It was a strange mix of clarity and disbelief — a paradox that sent shivers down our spines. Receiving our official World Cup caps added another layer — each of us knew how rare and precious the moment was.

Soon, routine set in inside a huge hotel surrounded by a golf course. The conditions were close to perfect, almost surreal. Even when the English sun appeared shyly, each ray felt like a gift.

There were quiet moments filled with rituals: playing board games such as Perudo or Wizard, slowly completing a puzzle, and enjoying a latte on the terrace overlooking the golf course. Small things, but they became our anchors in the growing pressure.

On our day off, the city revealed itself draped in World Cup colors—posters and banners everywhere. No doubt, we were at the heart of it all.

As the days ticked down, the tension rose — not an unpleasant tension, but an excited buzz. The wait was long and our emotions were running high. We were desperate to get started, unleash our energy and write our part of history.

Finally, match day arrived. The wait dragged on, broken only by meetings and a light activation session. The night before, we had watched England take on the USA in front of 42,000 fans. We were determined to start strong.

We left with mixed feelings: joy and relief, but also frustration. That frustration will drive us week after week to raise our game and deliver the performance we know we can.

Our warm-up was sharp; everyone was focused. From kick-off, we controlled the ball, but our long phases were unrewarded. Italy stood firm like a wall. After more than 20 minutes, Joanna (Grisez) broke through with a priceless try — the first of the tournament. The crowd, mostly English, roared their support for the Italians — a reminder that nothing would be handed to us here.

Mistakes gradually crept in and our accuracy near the goal-line faltered. We left with mixed feelings: joy and relief, but also frustration. That frustration will drive us week after week to raise our game and deliver the performance we know we can.