Euro 2025
For this nati, it is not the end, but the beginning
Eliminated in quarters of “sound” Euro, the Swiss team made an appointment for the future, based on its young talents and its new audience.
The public of the Wankdorf no longer wanted to leave his place on Friday. After a long ovation and songs, the supporters even pushed the players to jump in rhythm.
Sven Thomann/Blick/Freshfocus
- The Swiss national women’s team has aroused unprecedented popular craze at the Wankdorf.
- Young talents like Beney, Schertenleib and Wandeler embody a bright future.
- The selector, Pia Sundhage, left the mystery over her future.
- The ASF must now capitalize on this momentum to develop women’s football.
Euro 2025 is over, at least for these courageous Swiss who managed to doubt theSpain In the quarterfinals in Bern. Usually, the end of one thing calls for the beginning of another. Not for this uninhibited nati: “It is a starting point, a takeoff,” insisted Pia Sundhage shortly after the defeat in Bern on Friday evening.
If the second “Miracle of Bern” has not occurred, the momentum caused by these two weeks, this dream of four summer nights will not fade anytime soon. The players were aware of it at the Wankdorf, even if you had to search a little, look well below the sadness and the frustration of elimination. They were there, this pride, this joy, this recognition, this self -confidence, in your teammates and in the future.
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“We see that things have changed around us,” projected the young Leila Wandeler, with disconcerting maturity. The people’s looks are no longer the same. Inevitably, we will surely no longer live such a tournament at home. But we feel that all of Switzerland is behind us. To be able to be part of the future of this country, it makes me just too proud. For the future, we will be there too. ”
Still entering the game on Friday, Leila Wandeler punctured the screen during this 2025 Euro.
Sven Thomann/Blick/Freshfocus
Switzerland has talent to resell
An optimism that is not blissful, which goes beyond popular enthusiasm in the stadiums and fan zones of the country. In the game, this Nati crossed another level, partly thanks to this youth as liberated as it is talented: Iman Beney, Sydney Schertenleib or Leila Wandeler are barely major. And we must not forget Naomi Luyet, deprived of Euro by an injury, who signed in the Bundesliga this summer.
“I am 100% convinced that many of these young people will have a good career,” predicted the captain, Lia Wälti. Most of them participated in their first major tournament and they assured. They will still have other experiences of this kind. ”
The captain, Lia Wälti (right), comforted Leila Wandeler after the defeat against Spain.
Sven Thomann/Blick/Freshfocus
In this group, the Geneva revelation Smilla Vallotto would almost pass for an old one. “I am only 21, so of course, I want to learn from a team like Spain, to train to catch them. I hope that one day I will be at the same level as the best players in the world, “said midfielder, who will also discover the German championship next season, with Wolfsburg.
Much more than a match for women’s football
European excellence, the captain, Lia Wälti, has been rubbing shoulders with it for seven years on the side of Arsenal. The London gunners won the Champions League in late May against Barça. A European coronation that would almost pass for accessory Friday evening at the Wankdorf in the eyes of the Bernese: “I have never experienced such a match, such an atmosphere. I could not have dreamed of such a craze. ”
“Dear Nati, we are proud of you.”
Sven Thomann/Blick/Freshfocus
Lia Wälti was faithful to herself in front of the Spanish armada: brilliant on the ground (we will forgive him this ball lost on 2-0) and just as just when it comes to finding the words. “On the sporting level, we achieved our goal (Editor’s note: get out of the group phase)but I think our biggest goal goes beyond sport. What we have accomplished is much more important than a football match. ”
A formula that Pia Sundhage would not deny from the top of his wisdom. At 65, the Swedish saw others, as a player and as a selector. On Friday at the Wankdorf, it was however measured the importance of the moment, for our whole country.
“It is not easy to change your mind to a Swiss person,” she slipped with a little smirk and the outside look of the one who grew elsewhere. However, we managed to do it with a football team. I have been playing this game since I was very young and I am convinced that it is an important tool to develop society. ”
Swiss spectators have discovered this female selection. “I hope there will be 20,000 people in our next match,” said Smilla Vallotto.
Sven Thomann/Blick/Freshfocus
Pia Sundhage va-t-ale residue?
How many people will come to see their next matches, when the qualifications for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil will start next year? “At least 20,000, says Smilla Vallotto with spontaneity. I hope people will continue to come. It was crazy to see these stands filled in Bern, Geneva and Basel. Also for the matches of other teams. I think we have motivated Switzerland to follow us. ”
And who will be on the Swiss bench for this new campaign? The mystery still surrounds the future of Pia Sundhagewhose first contract is coming to an end in December. Questioned on the subject after the quarterfinals, the Scandinavian has dribbled the file with the same ease as Sydney Schertenleib ball on the foot: “Immediately, my future is to sleep because I am tired. We will see then. “
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The presence of the coach at the closing conference of the Swiss football association on Saturday morning in Thoune suggested a quick announcement. It was nothing. “Everything is open and we are not going to make a decision so quickly after the tournament,” said Marion Daube, director of women’s football at ASF. We will take time to analyze and plan the future. We will also have to see what Pia wants to do. ”
The “Sundhage case” seemed to be heard before the start of the euro. The first criticisms rushed following the series of defeats in preparation and the pressure that is the responsibility of such a tournament at home. Discontent even won the Swiss team internally, according to the German “Blick”. Then the nati put himself in a bubble, was one to extend the party as long as possible.
After the final whistle, the team met around the central round.
Sven Thomann/Blick/Freshfocus
Not to mention his personal case, Sundhage nevertheless highlighted two challenges that await women’s football in Switzerland. “It still lacks players capable of assuming the next generation in defense.” At the Euro, the Swedish was forced to convert Iman Beney into a right side.
A unnatural role that Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic has also assumed several times in recent years, and again Friday against Roja. While the Bernese attacker is the best scorer in the history of Switzerland (74 Goals in 172 selections).
“I cannot explain this deficiency in Switzerland,” analyzed the selector on Saturday. However, it’s great to defend! This is one of the main margins of progression for our team. ”
Euro 2025, a summer love that must be perpetuated
With the discernment of the one that led to the four corners of the world, and won the largest trophies, Pia Sundhage also warned Switzerland not to be too beautiful. To believe that the cause is heard.
“In 1984, I won the first euro with Sweden and everyone said things had changed for women’s football. This was the case for a few weeks. But then there were steps back, disappointments. You will have to be attentive to that. Do not rest. “
“Here to stay.” The ASF slogan was taken over by the Swiss public during this 2025 Euro.
Sven Thomann/Blick/Freshfocus
To the football association to feed this inheritance: “here to stay”, as the slogan of this campaign in English. The Swiss and the Swiss not to turn the page, to still make this intoxication of summer last last, to be faithful in the long term. If Euro 2025 is finished for Switzerland, it is just beginning. And it’s the beginning of something beautiful, big.
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