What an incredible scenario in Geneva! On the edge of the precipice after a Finnish goal scored on penalty in the 79th minute, the Swiss snatched the draw in additional time, on a goal from Riola Xhemaili (93rd). The attacker, who came into play ten minutes earlier, deflected at the bottom of the nets a center-out of the inevitable Géraldine Reuteler, designated player of the match for the third time (!) Run.
As they had announced, the players of Pia Sundhage, who aligned the same team for the first time in two consecutive matches, did not go to Geneva to defend 90 minutes and settle for the draw. They also had to wait until the second half to put their opponents in difficulty, as was the case during their victory against Iceland (2-0).
A double occasion
At the 13th minute, the Swiss thus obtained a double opportunity which should have launched them ideally in the game. But Sydney Schertenleib saw his pretty strike from the right to be diverted by the Finnish goalkeeper Anna Koivunen, while the attempted “Madjer” by Svenja Fölmli did not find the frame.
Less and less sharp during the first period, Livia Peng and her teammates had to make the round back. The Swiss door, however, reassured the Geneva stadium on several occasions by pushing the danger mainly from the Finnish stop kicks. Its stop on the line after a deviation from Eva Nystrom avoided Switzerland to collect a very unhappy goal just before the break (45th).
By launching Leila Wandeler (for Fölmli) and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (in place of Nadine Riesen) on the return from the locker room, Pia Sundhagus made the same tactical change that had worked against Iceland. The 3-5-2 gave way to a 4-4-2 which allowed Switzerland to properly counter the axial combinations of Finland.
Xhemaili’s return
Because yes, the Swiss people still applied themselves to defend well to keep this draw so precious. They offered practically nothing to the Nordic in the second half before Viola Calligaris did the irreparable by mowing Emma Koivisto in the surface. French referee Stéphanie Freppart did not hesitate by indicating the penalty spot, and Natalia Kuikka beat Livia Peng to virtually qualify the Finns.
But now, this Swiss team has a remarkable strength. She proved it again on Thursday, well helped by the last changes of Pia Sundhage who tried everything for everything by introducing two attackers. Including Riola Xhemaili.
The soleuroise, who had lost her holder’s place after playing the opening match, endorsed the heroine costume at the best of moments to dive the Geneva audience in the euphoria. A euphoria that only asks to continue around this decidedly amazing Swiss team, which will face Spain or Italy on Friday July 18 in Berne.
