Tatjana Hänni (58) was an important figure in the Swiss candidacy for the organization of the Euro Dames 2025. The Bernese, former director of women’s football at ASF, has been working since the beginning of 2023 for the American professional league, which she will leave at the end of the year.
Before the candidacy, you said that women’s football would do in Switzerland, thanks to the organization of the euro, in two years of progress which would normally require ten. Has it verified?
Tatjana Hänni: If we look at how much cities and cantons have put money in women’s football, not only with inheritance projects, aimed at ensuring sustainable development of women’s football in Switzerland, but also with positions for encouragement and support for women’s football, we can see that it was paid. I have always said it: this tournament is not just a purely sporting question, it is also a question of cultural change.
Can you specify your thought?
From the start, our goal was to have a tournament that all the matches would be played at closed counters. So far, 80% of the tickets have been sold. There is a big euphoria. Never have so many fans of different countries have traveled to one euro to support their team. This euro constitutes a change of consciousness, at all levels. Today, the theme of women’s football is essential. Large companies have become sponsors. All this would not have happened if Switzerland had not obtained the organization of the tournament.
Never so many fans of different countries have traveled to one euro to support their team
Will this craze continue after this euro?
The interest falls naturally a little after such a tournament. This was the case after previous editions. But there is great progress in all other areas, for example if we look at the number of girls who play football. There is a huge difference. Before, there was a regular increase each year. But thanks to the euro, it has literally exploded. And that will not fall back. There will really be a before and an after euro for women’s football in Switzerland, and that’s what is decisive.
Where is the Swiss team?
We have been a little delay. After the golden generation of the Lara Dickenmann, Ramona Bachmann and Martina Moser, we have just qualified for Euro 2022 and the 2023 World Cup. We had luck in the last years during the draws, as this time for our Euro. On the European level, we are between the 12th and the 20th row. We are not a peak nation, it is reality.
What can the Pia Sundhage team succeed during the tournament?
I hope she will qualify for the quarter -finals, which is possible in her group. But a worse scenario, with zero point, cannot be dismissed. I obviously want it to happen.
A worse scenario, with zero point, cannot be dismissed. I obviously want it to happen
Why this prudence?
The team has some good young players. But I think the tournament is coming early. The team is under reconstruction. It is however clear that if the Swiss take a good start and win their group, I will be the first to shoot my hat and dance in the gallery. But I don’t want to have too high expectations.
ats/tzing
