Pia Sundhage, the veteran coach of the Swiss women's national football team, has expressed immense optimism about the future of the sport in Switzerland. As the host nation of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, Switzerland is under pressure to perform, but Sundhage believes the blend of youth and experience within her squad could be the key to success.
Sundhage's confidence stems from the emergence of several talented young players who are already making waves in top European clubs. Eighteen-year-old Sydney Schertenleib, a forward for Barcelona, is perhaps the most well-known of these rising stars. Iman Beney, another 18-year-old forward, recently secured a move to Manchester City, highlighting the growing international recognition of Swiss talent. Noemi Ivelj, an 18-year-old midfielder, impressed enough at Zurich Grasshoppers to earn a spot with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Leila Wandeler, a 19-year-old forward, received a surprise call-up after a breakthrough season with French powerhouse Lyon.
Sundhage, who took charge of the team in 2024, brings a wealth of experience to the Swiss squad, having previously coached the United States and Sweden to great success. Her trophy-laden career includes Olympic gold medals with the United States and a Women's Euro title with Sweden as a player in 1984. She understands the nuances of tournament football and aims to guide her relatively inexperienced side through the challenges of hosting a major international competition. "The younger players probably lean a little bit to the experienced players," Sundhage explained. "Both the young players and the most experienced players are important to make that winning mix sauce".
Switzerland's history in the European Championship is modest, with only one win in previous appearances – a 2-1 victory over Iceland at Euro 2017. In their other appearances, they have two draws and three losses. Despite this, Sundhage hopes that the excitement of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their country on home soil will bring the best out of her players. "They will come out and surprise all of us, I hope," says Pia Sundhage as the experienced Swedish coach prepares Switzerland for hosting UEFA Women's EURO 2025. She also recognizes the importance of managing the spotlight and ensuring her team prioritizes their goals amidst the increased attention.
Sundhage's decision to coach Switzerland after leading powerhouses like the USA and Sweden was motivated by the unique experience of participating in the European Championship. "Playing the European Championship is something special," she said. "It's so much more than a football game". She also acknowledged the work done by the federation in developing women's football in Switzerland, stating, "everything we've done and the federation have done up to now, using fantastic role models, it's a part of the women's football".
As Switzerland prepared to kick off their Euro 2025 campaign against Norway, Sundhage acknowledged the strength of their opponents but expressed confidence in her team's ability to compete. She anticipated a tough midfield battle and believed that her attacking players could break down the Norwegian defense. Despite Norway having beaten Switzerland twice in the Nations League, Sundhage remained optimistic about her team's chances of making a winning start to the tournament. "We are talking about the strength with some of the players in the midfield. In the middle of the park we have a chance, with our attacking personalities, to actually break down their back four, so it's how do you get behind," Sundhage said.
With a blend of promising young talents and experienced veterans, guided by a coach with a proven track record, the future of Swiss women's football looks bright. The Euro 2025 tournament presents a golden opportunity for Switzerland to showcase its progress and make a mark on the international stage.
