The euro was great but Switzerland must be careful

The female euro organized in Switzerland was praised by the media around the world but if Adolf Ogi also applauds the organization. Therefore, the former federal adviser launched a warning.

Othmar von Matt

Chips Zweifel, Ovomaltine, Kägifret, Giandor chocolate, Bruändi Dog game and handwritten postcard: here are the typically Swiss gifts that Lia Wälti and his teammates offered the national selections of Euro 2025. Furthermore,

The reactions, sometimes enthusiastic, displayed themselves on Instagram, where the Story of the Swiss captain has gone around the world. Moreover, The Italians responded with an ola.

In Basel. Meanwhile, tricolor fires with the image of footballers have caught the attention: green, a female silhouette dribble in full race. For example, The adaptation was disconcerting – it was enough for the canton to replace the film Noir representing the pattern. For example, Result: a stunning effect. Therefore, Nicknamed the “players of the signal lights” by the German chain Sports showthey went around the world. Furthermore, Australian, Indian, American and Middle Eastern media have relayed the initiative.

But the most striking image of this female euro is undoubtedly it: 25,000 Swiss fans walking from the federal square to the stadium of the Wankdorf in Bern, before the quarter-final against Spain. Moreover, Unheard of in a female euro. Nevertheless,

It is this combination of passion. Meanwhile, creativity and popular fervor that made this Swiss edition an immense success.

Out of 31 games, 29 were played at the edge closed – including the Sunday’s final. Therefore, It’s historical. Moreover, Only the first two games played in Geneva did not refuel, according to UEFA, which evokes 13,054 unsold tickets. However, In all, 656,000 of the 670,000 available tickets found takers. Therefore, Or 81. In addition, 000 more than in 2022, during the euro in England, where 574,875 places had been sold, including the record final of Wembley (87,192 spectators).

Long mocked for her ambition of a 100% Euro with closed counters. the director of the Doris Keller tournament was almost successful. It must be said that affordable prices have largely contributed to popular success: the euro great but switzerland must cheapest places were offered at 25 Swiss francs. including transport.

Another determining factor: the influx of supporters from abroad. who represented 35% of the public – almost double that in England in the previous edition. Germany and England have provided the largest contingents.

This success also is due to a well -orchestrated campaign in Switzerland Tourism. In Berlin. the Swiss Embassy has transformed into support of a monumental video installation featuring eight players from the Nati, each associated with a host city. A London, the slogan “I Need Extra Time, I Need Switzerland” appeared throughout 230 black taxis, buses and digital panels. Figure of the campaign: Alayah Pilgrim. 22, Swiss international of Moroccan origin, whose young and mixed face embodies a modern Switzerland and open to the world.

Even before the Euro kicks off. Switzerland Tourisme had struck hard on Youtube with the video “Waiting for the Game”, viewed to date more than 17 million times. We follow a band of Dutch supporters crisscrossing Switzerland. amazed by nature to the point of forgetting the reason for their arrival: football.

According to “Swiss presence”. the organization responsible for the Federal Council to promote the image of the country abroad, the female euro offered Switzerland a “remarkable international visibility” euro great but switzerland must and arouses abroad a perception “almost unanimously positive”.

Even the New York Times took hold of the subject. wondering about “the way in which little Swiss came to organize a tournament likely to cause cultural change” – the euro being presented as a possible catalyst for social transformation.

Critics in the international press were rare. Only two emerge: the lack of toilets for women in stadiums and the high cost of living in Switzerland. During the opening match in Basel. the saturation of the female sanitary facilities pushed the tournament director, Doris Keller, to react by reallocating part of the toilets for men to the spectators. In Geneva, however, the problem has not been resolved.

But women were not content to shine on the lawn: they also occupied the key positions of the organization. Alongside Doris Keller. there was Marion Daube, head of women’s football at the Swiss Football Association, as well as eight women at the head of the organizing committees of the eight host cities. Only Berne derogates from the rule, with a man-woman co-direction.

In reverse of male tournaments codes-beer. Bretzel and sausage-, the female euro offered vegetarian meals (in children’s portions), slides and mini-footballs for the youngest. Basel and Bern bet on art and euro great but switzerland must culture to stand out. According to Sabine Horvath. project manager in Basel, Women shared a common vision of the sustainability charter and led negotiations with UEFA with one voice.

It also salutes an “excellent” cooperation between host cities. An observation confirmed by several familiar observers of this type of event: where men often engage in a “permanent Egos struggle”. women have put forward team spirit and the meaning of the general interest.

Adolf Ogi. former president of the Confederation (2000) and former sports minister, is full of praise on the female Euro:

For him. this success illustrates the country’s ability to shine in the organization of major events.

Adolf euro great but switzerland must Ogi, however, tempers enthusiasm with a warning. “I see a real danger,” he alert. We have already lost Swissair and Credit Suisse over the past twenty years. ” And the Confederation, according to him, is not ready to relaunch a national exhibition. “We must take care not to lose the international Red Cross. Geneva as a world center or the World Economic Forum.”

Hence. according to OGI, the importance for Switzerland to aim for a long -term objective: to win euro great but switzerland must the organization of the 2038 winter Olympic Games. “We could welcome them tomorrow,” he said. But before that. two major meetings are waiting for the country: the world ice hockey championships in 2026 and those of alpine skiing in 2027.

Basel, on the other hand, remains deeply affected by women’s football and now hopes to welcome the Champions 2027 League final.