The Switzerland coach, Pia Sundhage, has stated that she and her gamers watched clips from when the Swiss males's workforce beat Spain within the 2010 World Cup for inspiration earlier than the nations meet within the Euro 2025 quarter-finals in Berne on Friday.
Gelson Fernandes scored the one aim of the sport in Durban 15 years in the past to supply the primary shock of that event and Sundhage believes her workforce can repeat the upset.
“We watched that recreation collectively as a result of we needed to share that piece of historical past with them,” she stated. “Johan [Djourou, who was part of the 2010 men's World Cup squad and is a member of Sundhage's coaching team] spoke very emotionally about what it was like. Sharing tales brings us collectively and offers us energy.”
The Switzerland defender Noelle Maritz stated watching the footage had given her goosebumps. Sundhage didn't dwell on the truth that Spain went on to win the 2010 World Cup whereas Switzerland have been knocked out within the group stage, specializing in the right here and now and describing the sport as the most important of her profession.
The 65-year-old, who gained Euro 84 as a participant with Sweden and triumphed at two Olympics when answerable for america, stated: “It's the greatest recreation ever [for me]. It's in opposition to the world champion, it's at house and it's a quarter-final. That is the second.”
The hosts have grown into the event after an underwhelming opening defeat, in opposition to Norway. They then beat Iceland 2-0 earlier than a late equaliser in opposition to Finland from Riola Xhemaili despatched the Stade de Genève crowd into raptures and Switzerland into the knockout stage.
Spain are clear favourites to achieve the semi-finals, having gained their three group video games, scoring 14 objectives within the course of, however the environment across the house workforce has been constructing and the Swiss consider that assist can carry them far.
Fast InformationSwitzerland v Spain: final three conferences
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Switzerland 1-5 Spain, 5 August 2023, Auckland
On the way in which to their maiden World Cup triumph in New Zealand, a ruthless Spain put 5 previous Switzerland within the spherical of 16. Aitana Bonmatí's fifth-minute opener was rapidly cancelled out by a freakish Laia Codina personal aim from close to the centre circle. Alba Redondo restored their lead, Bonmatí struck once more and Codina made amends for her error. Jennifer Hermoso then added a fifth, displaying Spain's energy in depth. “We proved we're a workforce of 23 gamers,” stated Spain's coach, Jorge Vilda.
Spain 5-0 Switzerland, 26 September 2023, Cordoba
The world champions have been greeted by a file 14,914 followers for his or her homecoming match on the Nuevo Arcángel stadium. Earlier than kick-off each groups held up a banner studying “Se Acabó (it's over) Our combat is the worldwide combat” in reference to Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales's resignation for forcibly kissing Hermoso on the lips. On the pitch, it was a routine Nations League group win for Spain with Lucía García, Bonmatí (twice), Inma Gabarro and Maite Oroz on the scoresheet.
Switzerland 1-7 Spain, 31 October 2023, Zurich
Switzerland suffered their third heavy defeat in as many months to La Roja at Stadion Letzigrund, although this time they managed a comfort from Alayah Pilgrim when trailing 4-0, courtesy of objectives from Oihane Hernández, Alexia Putellas (with two) and María Méndez. The substitutes Athenea del Castillo (two) and Oroz added three extra to cap off one other Nations League thrashing. Ervin Ang
“The assist now we have had is unimaginable do describe,” the Aston Villa defender Maritz stated. “All of us thought that there could be a superb environment at a house event … however on this scale? It provides you plenty of vitality whenever you see the followers marching in the direction of the stadium. You noticed it on the Finland recreation – and to have the ability to share that success with the followers was actually one thing.”
Sundhage's facet have improved considerably because the 2-1 loss to Norway, with the midfielder Géraldine Reuteler in excellent type and the 18-year-old Barcelona ahead Sydney Schertenleib coming in to present the assault a brand new dimension.
And now there may be actual perception. Sundhage stated they “will want a little bit of luck” to beat Spain however that they might drive that luck with the way in which they play. Maritz was extra bullish, saying they might follow their gameplan and “stroll off as winners”.
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“We're very a lot trying ahead to the sport,” she stated. “We all know that it is going to be exhausting however we additionally consider in our qualities. We've had plenty of conferences, have watched plenty of clips and have a superb gameplan.”
Maritz, who performed for Arsenal between 2020 and 2024, additionally spoke of the superb workforce spirit that has developed. “You'll be able to see that in the previous couple of weeks and the previous couple of video games now we have grown right into a stronger unit. We've a brilliant workforce spirit and have been capable of take plenty of optimistic vitality from the previous two video games. We've a superb feeling about this recreation.”
The Spain defender Irene Paredes stated the world champions must be calm within the face of the house assist. “We should be affected person,” she stated. “They may have the group behind them, so they'll come out very robust.
“They're a workforce who know precisely what they're about. They defend in nice numbers and likewise get plenty of their gamers into the field to assault. They've very direct gamers and their midfielders like to maintain the ball. Like I stated, we'll should be very alert.”
