Swiss shock lifts hosts before Spain test as Switzerland’s women’s team draws inspiration from the men’s 2010 World Cup upset over Spain ahead of their UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 quarter-final showdown. Coach Pia Sundhage hopes her team can recreate history on home soil against the reigning world champions, who have dominated the tournament so far.
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Inspired by a Famous Victory
Fifteen years ago, Switzerland’s men stunned Spain 1-0 in South Africa thanks to Gelson Fernandes’ goal. Now, Sundhage has shown her players footage of that famous win, aiming to build belief that they can achieve something similar. The idea came from former Arsenal and Swiss defender Johan Djourou, who shared emotional stories with the team to inspire them. Sundhage said sharing these stories brings energy and helps the team believe that anything is possible.
Building Belief Within the Squad
Defender Noelle Maritz shared how watching the 2010 victory gave her goosebumps, reminding her that football can produce surprises. She emphasised that their goal is simple: to score one more goal than Spain and to believe in themselves throughout the match. The Swiss team knows that facing Spain will be tough, but the hope of an upset is keeping spirits high in the camp.
Facing the Reigning World Champions
Spain heads into the quarter-final as heavy favourites after winning all their group games and showcasing their skillful style of play. Sundhage acknowledged the challenge, calling it the biggest her team has faced, especially with the match being on home soil in a crucial knockout game. She highlighted that combining the weight of playing against the world champions, the quality of Spain, and the pressure of a quarter-final makes the occasion special.
Togetherness as the Key
Sundhage stressed that it is not only about individual players performing well but also about the team staying united on the pitch. She believes that if Switzerland can harness their togetherness and fight as a unit, they have a genuine chance of achieving something remarkable against Spain. With home support and a spirit of belief, the hosts are prepared to embrace the challenge and look to create another memorable moment in Swiss football history.
