The Icelandic selection saw Euro 2025 in an open and relaxed bubble on the banks of Lake Thoune. But she does not lose sight of her mission: beat Switzerland on Sunday in Bern to rally the quarter -finals.
IMAGO/Sports Press Photo
Before major international male tournaments, team hotels are generally inaccessible. The Icelandic Federation has obviously chosen another approach for the female euro in Switzerland. In Gunten, the Icelandic selection opened its doors to journalists.
In the garden of their hotel located on the shores of Lake Thoune, the players rest between training and matches. A giant chess game rubs shoulders with lounge chairs and parasols. Those who abandon the chessboard grab a racket of ping-pong or badminton, offer a moment of relaxation at the spa, or bite a head in the lake after a kayak exit.
It is a haven of peace which almost makes us forget that the Icelandic selection did not come to the Bernese Oberland for a vacation, but with the mission of qualifying for the quarter -finals during its fifth consecutive participation in the Euro.
The pride of representing your people
The slightly surprising defeat against Finland (1-0) on Wednesday did not change the Icelandic ambitions. “It was already clear before the tournament that we were going to have to beat Switzerland to hope to pass the group phase,” said Agla Maria Albertsdottir. His teammate Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir adds with ambition: “We will win against Switzerland, and we will also take the three points against Norway”.
This declaration which could sound arrogant rather reveals the image that this Icelandic team has of itself. Only 400,000 inhabitants live in Iceland. Icelanders are therefore used to being the “little ones”, those whose others make fun or that they underestimate. And they are used to surprising and tripping the “big” thanks to their team spirit and their passion. This is how the selection of Thorsteinn Halldórsson beat Germany 3-0 in Reykjavik and finished two points from the Germans in qualifying.
“As we are so few, the pride of representing our country in Europe is even greater,” explains Sandra Maria Jesen. This pride is also found in supporters. On Sunday, around 2,000 Icelandic supporters are expected in Bern. “And I’m sure they will be noisier than Swiss supporters,” said the head of communication Omar Smarason.
The Icelanders did not miss the opening match between Switzerland and Norway. The pressure exerted by the Pia Sundhage team, especially in the first half, did not escape them. “Switzerland has placed itself a little higher than when we had faced it in the League of Nations,” notes Jessen. “But we have a plan to deal with it.”
Junities like Wälti
In February and April, the teams had separated on two void matches 0-0 and 3-3. This time, a point would not help anyone for a qualification for the quarter -finals. “It’s all or nothing,” said Jononsdottir, the best qualifying rider. The former German champion with Wolfsburg, who is now playing in Los Angeles in the Angel City club, is not only known for her speed and her sense of finish, but also as a author. The 24 -year -old has already published two children’s books whose goal is to inspire young girls to start football.
The Icelandic attacker had not yet heard of “kick -off for Lia”, but when she discovers the book that Swiss captain Lia Wälti wrote with her sister Meret, she said in a big smile: “This match will be the duel of children’s books. Victory will come back to the one who wrote the best book. ”
