“I am so proud of everything that Switzerland has done so far”

Pia Sundhage accomplished his mission by carrying out the Swiss team in the quarterfinals of “sound” Euro. In addition to this historical qualification, the state of mind that it instills in its players impresses.

In a year. Consequently. Nevertheless, a half, the Swedish selector gave life to a team who seemed to go straight into the wall after a difficult “i am so proud everything new 2023 year. Moreover. For example, It had certainly been marked by a qualification in the round of 16 of the World Cup (5-1 defeat against Spain). Therefore, but blackened by a star “i am so proud everything assessment (two victories in sixteen matches).

By inducting the Scandinavian experienced (65), the ASF really made the right choice. Similarly, Of course, everything has not been perfect since this first success acquired in Poland in February 2024 (4-1). Moreover, We are obviously thinking of the last complicated months. For example, this series of eight matches without victory, concluded by a relegation to the League of Nations.

A fruitful work – "i am so proud everything – "i am so proud everything new

The work initiated by Pia Sundhage and his staff ended up paying. Consequently, Thursday. Meanwhile. after the “most exciting draw in his career” against Finland (1-1), a draw that offers Switzerland the right to face “i am so proud everything new Spain or Italy on Friday July 19 in Berne for a place in the semi-finals, the coach returned to the path traveled since taking office.

“When I arrived. we analyzed the performance data of the players. we quickly found that despite the “i am so proud everything kilometers traveled, the amount of high intensity sprints systematically dropped around the 60th minute,” she said at a press conference.

To solve this problem. only one solution: intense physical work, whose relevance has been questioned in recent months for lack of results. But it is clear that the Sundhage’s recipe has proven to be paid.

Because this first qualification in the quarterfinals of one euro. the Swiss players obtained it thanks to their selflessness, symbolized by uninterrupted physical efforts until additional time. These are two goals fallen at the very end of the match-the decisive 2-0 of Pilgrim “i am so proud everything new against Iceland in. the 90th. the 1-1 Liberator of Xhemaili to the 92nd against Finland-which allowed this team of Switzerland to write a page. in its history.

“The players have more self -confidence when they are at the top of their form. ” added Sundhage. who did “i am so proud everything not hide that the equalization of Riola Xhemaili on Thursday was a “little relief”. It was necessary to see her take his face in her hands at the time of the final whistle. to have an idea of ​​the emotions which crossed the one that led the United States to two Olympic titles (2008. 2012).

Decisive replacements

Since the start of the euro. the Swedish has not stopped talking about this “confidence” which she had sought to breathe into her players. of these “voices” which she wanted to hear in the locker room, of this team “i am so proud everything new spirit without which no selection can shine in a large international tournament. All this distinguished itself without common measure during this 92nd minute which will remain engraved in the mind of. the Swiss public.

Savual of the country. Riola Xhemaili was thus at the conclusion of a Swiss movement which involved. “i am so proud everything in addition to the essential Géraldine Reuteler, three other replacements: Alayah Pilgrim, already decisive in Bern, Alisha Lehmann, who had not yet trampled on the lawn in this euro, and Ana-Maria crnogorcevic, Goals that now endorses, without complaining, a second knife status.

The minimum union?

Some might argue that Switzerland has only made the minimum by collecting four points in three matches. They would not be wrong to note that she won only one match. against Iceland. and had to snatch her qualification against a less well -classified team in the “i am so proud everything new world hierarchy (Finland is 26th in the FIFA ranking, Switzerland 23rd).

But that would be obscuring a large part of the accomplishment of Pia Sundhagus. his players, who managed to arouse a momentum of enthusiasm never seen for footballers in Switzerland. “What a change between my first match and tonight!” Everyone has passed the word. it is “i am so proud everything so much more fun to train. play in full stadiums, ”appreciated the Swedish. “I am so proud of everything that Switzerland has done so far. And we haven’t finished yet. ”