Division 1 Feminine
Graphic: Michael Alesich

This 2020-21 D1 Feminine’s season has been historic in so many ways and no less than 4 Aussies participated. Join Beyond90 for a look back at another colourful season.

PSG crowned Champions of France at the expense of OL

Paris Saint-Germain was crowned French champions for the first time in their history after an exceptional campaign of 21 wins and 2 draws (0-0 against Bordeaux in Round 1 and 0-0 against Lyon in Round 16). Unbeaten this season, the players from Paris have been remarkable in all aspects and have been present in the big games, also winning their confrontation with Olympique Lyonnais with their 1-0 victory in the first leg. But unlike other seasons, PSG has been consistent the whole season and didn’t lose points, with the best attack (83 goals scored) and defence (4 goals allowed), which has never happened before.

Paris left no chance for OL to win a 15th consecutive title. More than a rivalry, it’s a new page written in the French women’s football history.

Olympique Lyonnais, who had recruited remarkable players throughout the season (including Ellie Carpenter, Sara Gunnarsdóttir, Sakina Karchaoui, Damaris Egurrola, or even the superstar Catarina Macario) was not able to compete with Paris this season. Lyon was initially deprived of two of their key players Ada Hegerberg and Griedge Mbock and then were largely affected by Covid-19. Not without consequences, the group was in bad shape during the second part of the season which allowed Paris, in their form of life, to finally lift the trophy of champion of France.

Deprived of the Coupe de France suspended because of the pandemic, OL ended their season without a trophy, a first since 2006.

Olympique Lyonnais have won a series of 14 consecutive national championships between 2006-07 and 2019-20) which places them at the top of European and world women’s football. If Lyon does not hold the record for the longest series of consecutive national championships, it is by far the one who plays in the most competitive one.

Top 5 of the biggest consecutive national championship series in Europe:

  1. SFK Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina): 18 consecutive championships between 2002-03 and 2019-20.
  2. KÍ Klaksvík (Faroe Islands): 17 consecutive championships between 2000 and 2016.
  3. Gintra Universitetas (Lithuania): 16 consecutive championships between 2005 and 2020.
  4. FC NSA Sofia (Bulgaria): 15 consecutive championships between 2004-05 and 2018-19.
  5. Olympique Lyonnais (France): 14 consecutive championships between 2005-06 and 2019-20.
    Skonto Riga (Latvia): 14 consecutive championships between 1991 and 2004.

D1 Feminine Awards:

Individually, Khadija Shaw from Bordeaux and Marie-Antoinette Katoto from Paris were outstanding. The Jamaican had herself 22 goals and 8 assists, and the French star scored 21 goals and delivered 8 decisive passes. Kadidiatou Diani, more discreet but so important, also had a very good season with 13 goals and 9 assists. Lyon is represented by Dzsenifer Marozsán as the best passer of the D1 Féminine. 

 

PSG earned all of the individual awards. Diani was named MVP of the season, Christiane Endler was named the best goalkeeper of the season, Sandy Baltimore was named best young player of the season, and Olivier Echouafni coach of the season.

Ellie Carpenter has been named on the Team of The Year as the best right-back of the season. She’s the youngest player on this dream team. 

The other nominations saw Le Havre AC named “Coup de Coeur” of the season, Grace Geyoro with the best goal of the season, and Victoria Beyer named the best referee of the season.

 

Aussies in France:

Emma Checker, Laura Brock, Mary Fowler, and Ellie Carpenter have represented Australia in France with much satisfaction in store.

Checker’s FC Fleury 91:

In search of experience on its backline, FC Fleury had set their sights on the Australian defender. But physical glitches forced Emma Checker to return to Australia. She has only made one appearance in Women’s D1.

Brock’s EA Guingamp:

The signing of Laura Brock was a real success for Guingamp. The team, very young aged, needed some defensive strength and, above all, experience. A win-win bet that allowed the Australian, indisputable starter, to have a significant playing time. EA Guingamp, which was on the verge of relegation in 2018, had their best season since 2014-15. Brock is the Australian with the best playing time this season with 1,454 minutes played.

Fowler’s Montpellier HSC:

Mary Fowler hasn’t had such an easy season between the starting XI and the bench. But she has proven to be an effective wild card thanks to her physical power and her attacking contribution. Discreet but efficient, she ended her first season with 5 goals in 1282 minutes and officially became Australia’s top scorer in D1 Féminine’s history. His collective season is unfortunately disappointing, including a change of coach. Nevertheless, she has all the cards in front of her to become a regular starter.

Carpenter’s Olympique Lyonnais:

Ellie Carpenter had very high expectations and had to replace Lucy Bronze. She immediately found a place in the hearts of Lyon fans, not unlike Bronze in the physical impact and the offensive contribution. Indispensable on the right side of OL, she deserved a completely different end to the season and a few trophies. She was named in the Team of The Season and was among the finalists for the Young Player of The Year award. At the head of 1448 minutes this season, her future is as bright as ever.

What’s next?

For next season, the championship would remain at 12 teams with two possible options: maintaining the 12th place of the 2020-21 season, Le Havre, or the promotion of a D2 Women team, probably AS Saint-Etienne.

A third scenario is possible following the administrative decision given to ASJ Soyaux. For a few years now, the club has experienced major economic problems which have led the DNCG (National Management Control Department) to relegate ASJ Soyaux to Women’s D2.

Whatever scenario is chosen, we have our Aussies in France next season!

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