Laia bulleté, binational Helvetico-Spanish, knows the Nati’s opponent very well in the quarterfinals. image: Keystone
Laia Balleté has heated the Swiss bench since the start of the euro, she can be decisive against La Roja, Friday in the quarterfinals.
Raphael Gutzwiller / ch media
Laia Balleted had prepared for a quiet start to summer, far from the lawns. From the family home near the ampolla, a small village located between Barcelona and Valence, it savor the Spanish sun. Lying by the pool, in a swimsuit. Suddenly, she saw a call on her phone: that of Pia Sundhagus, the Nati selector.
By winning, bulleté sees his mother leap with joy behind. She immediately understands: her daughter’s dream to participate in the euro at home becomes reality. The binational Helvetico-Spanish is called to replace Luana Bühler, injured.
Flags and tears mom
Laia Ballesé remained on the bench during the three group games. However, the Euro quarter -final, Friday in Bern, has a very special meaning for her. Switzerland will precisely face Spain. This country where she grew up, still plays (at Espanyol Barcelona), which she loves and knows so well.
“I know of course the Spanish team very well, I am a friend with the international player Cristina Martin-Prieto. But it doesn’t matter whether it is Finland or Spain: I play for Switzerland and I want to win with my team. ”
Laia Ballesté
Laia Balleté celebrated her first selection with the Nati in April. image: instagram
Two years ago, when the Swiss faced Spain in the 8th finals of the World Cup in New Zealand, Balleted followed the match from its show, in Switzerland, fervently. She had decorated her house with red flags with white cross. “I absolutely wanted they win,” she says. It was not until 2021 that the central defender obtained Swiss nationality. Since then, she has always dreamed of wearing the Nati jersey. After the World Cup, his agent contacted the Swiss Football Association (ASF) to tell him that Balleted wanted to play for Switzerland.
But she had to wait, despite her holder in the Spanish first division with Espanyol Barcelona. It was not until last spring that Sundhage summoned it for the first time. The binational made its debut in an outside match against Iceland (3-3), in the League of Nations. When her mother learned her selection, she melted in tears.
Roots French -speaking and speech
Laia Ballested describes herself as shy and admits that she was very nervous during her beginnings with the nati. This explains that she did not fully convince. But she has confidence in her during this Euro:
“I now know the team well, so I think I would be less nervous if I had to play”
The Swiss roots of the defender are in Neuchâtel, where his mother was born. But she moved with her family to Spain when she was twelve years old. Laia Ballesé was born and grew up in Spain, but her family has not lost its Swiss roots. It was in our country that the Nati player and her loved ones spent their vacation. On the edge of Lake Neuchâtel or Saint-Imier, a village in the Bernese Jura where relatives live.
Laia Balleste has been playing Espanyol Barcelona since 2024. She has made her whole career in Spain. image: instagram
Besides the Spaniard, bulleté speaks French and English fluently. It has integrated well in the Nati, even if it is clearly replacing in central defense. “I know my role and try to help the team as best I can,” she says.
Its role, precisely, will be particular against Spain. No one in the Swiss team knows Iberian football as well as number 15. And, as a good informant, she intends to share her knowledge with her teammates:
“I thought about a little speech that I can make in front of the team”
Laia Balleste knows that the Roja is formidable, but she believes in a feat:
“It’s probably the best team in the world. But we are Switzerland and we play at home, so of course we can win this match. We don’t have to be afraid. ”
What is the secret of this expert from Spain to beat the world champions? “Obviously, I’m not going to reveal it,” she said, laughing. “But I can assure you that even the Spanish can have a bad day.” Hoping that this is the case on Friday.
Adaptation in French: Yoann Graber
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