July 18 – Switzerland boss Pia Sundhage has called the quarterfinal against Spain the biggest managerial challenge of her career yet.
Ranked 23rd on the FIFA ranking, the Euro 2025 host nation will be underdogs against the world champions. They wriggled their way to the last eight with a late equaliser against Finland in their final group game. By contrast, Spain have been in imperious form, scoring 14 goals against Italy, Portugal and Belgium to underline their status as tournament favourites.
“I would say this is the biggest [challenge] ever, playing against the world champions, on home soil, in a quarterfinal – this is the moment,” said Sundhage.
“Put three things together: ‘world champions’, ‘Spain’, because everyone talks about the way Spain are playing, and then ‘quarterfinal’. It makes this so special and you have to grab that moment.
“It will be difficult. It’s not only about each individual player, but about being together. And if that togetherness works, we do have a chance.”
A veteran manager, Sundhage has coached the United States, Brazil and Sweden. Her team has peaked interest in the women’s game in Switzerland and the local media have framed the last-eight encounter as an opportunity to recreate the Nati’s very own ‘Miracle of Bern’, seventy-one years after West Germany defeated Hungary in the final of the 1954 World Cup.
“We’ll have to be patient and stay united. I emphasise this cohesion: whether in defense, midfield, or attack, we have to be connected,” explained Sundhage. “I’ll give you an example. We’re defending as best we can, the Spanish find a shooting angle, and Livia Peng makes a great save. We’ll have to refocus immediately and move on, because if we let the action get out of hand, we’ll have even more difficulty defending later on.”
Recent history between the two sides doesn’t bode well for the Swiss. They lost their last three matches against Spain, conceding 17 times. “We won’t beat Spain if we don’t have a bit of luck,” admitted Sundhage. “But luck has to be earned. You have to create it.”
Sundhage and her team will benefit from the home support. The Swiss have embraced the tournament, toppling one attendance record after another. “With an enthusiastic crowd boosting the team, it makes it so much more fun,” said Sundhage. “Women’s football deserves this. It’s really something special.
“I also believe [the support] is important before but also afterwards. During the game, you play the game, but before and after it means a lot, and I think Switzerland have done a fantastic job, looking at the stadiums. You have to be there, that’s the best line.”
In the semi-finals, Switzerland or Spain will play the winner of France – Germany, the last quarter-final of the tournament.
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