On July 25, 2023 in Hamilton in New Zealand, Marion Rey was the last time the lawn in the Swiss team jersey, against Norway (0-0). Two years have passed and the situation has evolved well, the 26-year-old Franco-Swiss decided to hang up the crampons at the end of the past season. It was therefore from the stands of the Saint-Jacques park that the now former player of FC Basel attended the 2-1 defeat in Switzerland against … Norway.
RTSSport: What was the atmosphere in town? Have you felt the euphoria climbing before Switzerland’s first match?
MARION REY: Yes. We saw a lot of people with a Swiss jersey an almost everywhere in town, early in the afternoon, it was cool to observe. There was also a walk to Saint-Jacques Park later, in the evening. When I arrived at the stadium after my work, I saw all these people arrive. The atmosphere was great.
RTSsport: How did you experience this match as a young retired football and former Swiss international?
MARION REY: I had chills. To see all those people who support us, who support female football is something that we have dreamed of since a child when we play football. A few years ago, all that did not exist. I was delighted for the girls. Already, when there are some supporters who come to the match, it’s cool. So there, I do not imagine how they had to feel when they saw all this craze. It does something anyway. All these emotions for a national female team, I had never experienced it before.
RTSsport: What did you think of the meeting?
MARION REY: The atmosphere was incredible in the stadium, especially at the time of the anthem that gave me chills. I was very pleasantly surprised by their start of the match. I was just behind the goal of Norway in the stadium, I was in the right place during the first half (laughs). And the goal … it was beautiful and super deserved too. It’s a shame that they failed to score other goals during this highlight.
RTSsport: Did that make you regret this choice to end your career?
MARION REY: No, not at all (laughs). I live very well with this decision. I was happy to be sitting in the stands and being able to enjoy. A year ago, it was still a goal for me to be in this euro. But little by little, how to say, it became unrealistic. Envy was no longer the same. Finally, it’s not really the desire. I just noticed that it was no longer enough for me. Then I really like my work too. I just find it cool that a whole country is behind the women’s team. I think people know the names of the girls, know where they play, it’s incredible. They are also delighted with the next matches. We are talking about the euro every day with my work colleagues when we talked about football before, but never really female football. We even set up a group to bet on the matches.
RTSsport: What had you bet on the Swiss-Norway match?
MARION REY: I do not reveal my bets!
RTSsport: Will you attend other meetings during the Euro?
MARION REY: Unfortunately, I could only have tickets for the final.
RTSsport: But you will continue to follow him …
MARION REY: I will of course watch the matches. And then, with my friends, we will have evenings where we will follow the matches together. I also think I go for a walk in one of the fan zones, to see how it goes there. I will follow this Euro close!
Interview by Ludovic Perruchéd
