The nervousness of the hosts in the first game? The Swiss footballers showed themselves not to show themselves, so brave, they started against Norway so powerfully. Not even five minutes were over when they had already sent two dangerous crossings into the penalty area. Later there was a crossbar from Géraldine Reuteler from 20 meters – and a parade of goalkeeper Livia Peng. It was loud every time, but in the 28th minute the noise level rose significantly above the brand of 100 decibels: Nadine giant had only put the ball across, after the Norwegians’ attempted clarification, he landed back in front of their feet and over the left interior post in the goal. At the break, the enthusiasm was correspondingly great, ultimately the host lost 1: 2 against the favorite despite a strong appearance.
The Swiss women have never reached the KO round at a European Championship, in 2017 and 2022 they were eliminated in the group phase. And now in these first minutes the promise to more, that triggered euphoria. The first game of the 14th EM since 1984 was over, Finland had defeated Iceland 1-0 in Thun. But the tournament was opened with the celebration on Wednesday evening in the St. Jakob Park in Basel.
:Still a lot of catching up to do
For the first time, Switzerland is a host of a European Football Championship. Already suitable, because in the country there is still a lot to do on the way to real equality.
And in the best sense it was as compact as the format. 16 teams are spread over four groups and eight venues – yes, a big tournament in football can still be so clear – take part in the European Championship, the ceremony lasted about ten minutes. The motto was “reaching new heights together”. The idea behind it was not really recognizable in choreography with inflatable, silver elements. It should be a reference to the mountain landscape of the host country, as well as what Switzerland hopes for from this tournament: an increase in women’s football. For example, the number of licensed players should be doubled to 80,000.
The UEFA was already satisfied with the current figures before the European Championship had even started. Of 673,000 tickets, more than 600,000 were sold five days before the start, which surpasses the 575,000 tickets at the EM 2022 in England. “One of our main goals was to have a sold-out tournament. I still know how people laughed at it, but now it will be a reality,” said Nadine Kessler, UEFA director of women’s football and former world footballer. According to the former German international, 22 of the 31 games have already been sold out “and without a opening game in Old Trafford or a final in the Wembley Stadium.”
Norway’s Ada Hegerberg shoots a penalty – and Switzerland is revoked by a penalty
As is the case with tournaments, the success of the event is also related to the success of the hosts. And the signs didn’t look quite as good. The Swiss Association had chosen the experienced Pia Sundhage as a trainer in front of the European Championship. The 65 -year -old Swede won silver at Olympics with the USA 2008 and 2012, among others. However, it was bumpy with the Swiss women. In November a 0: 6 clap against Germany had to be digested, after eight international matches without a win, a 4-1 against the Czech Republic gave some confidence at the end of June. In public, however, the impression of the 1: 7 clap in a test against the U15 juniors of FC Lucerne outweighed. The tabloid Blick reported, it was rumore “in the whole Nati team”. Sundhage is said to have carried out a conditionally too hard preparation – regardless of injuries. The criticized acted this as a rumor.
In the evening of the opening, none of this did not play a major role, even if the euphoria at the break still gave way to disillusionment. In the 54th minute, goalkeeper Peng was misjudged after a corner, Ada Hegerberg sent the ball into the net with a massive header for 1-1. The next setback followed just four minutes later. Caroline Graham Hansen brought the ball dangerously close to the goal – the Swiss Julia Stierli finally grabbed him in trying to catch him in front of Hegerberg. Peng was able to ward off the next end of Hegerberg, then the six-time Champions League player from Norway missed her best chance: in the 70th minute Hegerberg was missing a penalty.
Perhaps also because the Nati fans among the 34 063 spectators were even louder with their whistles in these moments than in the lead goal. When a penalty for Switzerland was displayed almost immediately afterwards, but was then canceled by the video assistant, the confusion of the audience was only great. The hosts still had two big chances to equalize, it remained with the defeat. And the good impression that the hosts can play better than some suspected.
