Sundhage faces her 'biggest challenge' as she prepares host nation Switzerland for Euro 2025
GENEVA (AP) — Soccer great Pia Sundhage's long international career stretches back a decade beyond the first Women's European Championship she won decisively for Sweden in 1984.
Now aged 65, the two-time Olympic title-winning coach — both times for the United States — is preparing host nation Switzerland's team to kick off Euro 2025 next Wednesday.
'I would say it's the biggest challenge I have ever had,' said Sundhage, who has coached in a World Cup final, three Olympic gold-medal games and a Copa América final. 'It is really, really interesting.'
Her first tournament coaching the Swiss is 41 years after the inaugural Euros was won in conditions that seem more than a lifetime ago for women's soccer.
In 1984, the four-team UEFA competition was home-and-away semifinals and final, with second legs played weeks after the first in games of 70 minutes, not 90. The title was won in England with fewer than 3,000 fans in the stadium and no national television coverage.
Sweden beat England in a penalty shootout after each won the home leg 1-0. At the muddy, rain-soaked home field of Luton Town, Sundhage added to her first-leg goal to score the winning spot-kick, captured in fuzzy footage of the game.
'That was just unique,' Sundhage recalled to reporters at a recent briefing. 'Two pages, are you kidding me? Oh look, there's a picture as well.'
In 2025, Switzerland will play to packed stadiums in a 16-nation event that will set a tournament record of about 600,000 spectators. The venues are Switzerland's best and four of the eight also were used at the men's Euro 2008 co-hosted with Austria.
Sundhage has been there for most stops on the women's soccer journey: helping Sweden win that first European title, then taking third place at the first Women's World Cup in 1991. She coached host Sweden to the Euro 2013 semifinals and now has a second chance with a home team.
The challenge to get Switzerland tournament-ready has Sundhage drawing on what she learned coaching in China, the U.S, Sweden and Brazil — leaving her, she said, 'really rich' in experiences.
'All these different teams, countries have made me really open minded,' said the coach who believes passionately in teamwork though is very much her own person.
After each Olympic title, in 2008 and 2012, she declined the traditional invitation for U.S. team gold medalists to visit the White House. From presidents on each side of the aisle.
'I felt like I'm not connected to the White House,' Sundhage explained recently. 'If I have a choice I can go in the other direction, I'm going to do that. Regardless, Bush or Obama, I'd rather go back to Sweden.'
For five years she coached a stellar U.S. squad that was denied a World Cup title in 2011 by Japan only by a penalty shootout. She was immersed in a sporting culture where 'they know how to bring out the best,' Sundhage recalled.
Switzerland is different, with players that have experience and promise yet a tendency their coach sees of taking too few risks, being too 'correct.'
'You have to get crazy. That means you are going to make a mistake. And that is scary for a Swiss player,' she suggested.
'The biggest mistake you can actually do is not trying,' said Sundhage, who defied social expectations in her Swedish childhood to forge a career in soccer. 'Otherwise you will never ever find out how good you are.'
___
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
35 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Jazz Age at Yankee Stadium as Chisholm sparks Yankees at plate, on defense and in clubhouse
New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts after hitting a three-run scoring triple during the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in New York. Adam Hunger/AP New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) and Jazz Chisholm Jr., right, celebrate after they defeated the Athletics in a baseball game Sunday, June 29, 2025, in New York. Adam Hunger/AP New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts after striking out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in New York. Adam Hunger/AP New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts after striking out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in New York. Adam Hunger/AP New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. hits a three-run triple during the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in New York. Adam Hunger/AP NEW YORK (AP) — The Jazz Age is in full swing at Yankee Stadium. Whether with his bat, his glove, his arm or his smile, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is energizing the New York Yankees and their fans. Chisholm hit a second-inning, go-ahead homer and a bases-loaded triple while making three sparkling defensive plays at third base Sunday in a 12-5 romp over the Athletics. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'That's why we got him. That's what the Yankees do. They go after guys that are going to make an impact,' said New York captain Aaron Judge, who homered twice to reach 30 for the sixth time. Chisholm is batting .318 with six homers, 18 RBIs and four stolen bases since returning from strained right oblique on June 3, raising his season totals to .242 with 13 homers, 35 and 10 steals in 53 games. 'I feel like me. I feel I'm back in my era, that I was younger just going out there and just hitting, just not worrying about stuff," the 27-year-old said. "Just not worrying by my swing, not worrying about striding too far. Everything just feels good and I'm just going.' After a four-RBI night against Boston in his fourth game back, Chisholm made the unusual assertion he was thriving by giving 70% effort and not stressing. With New York seeking to reopen a 1 1/2-game AL East lead two days into the second half, he drove a first-pitch sinker from former Yankee Luis Severino into the right-field seats for a 1-0, second-inning lead. Ever exuberant, he raised his right hand and made a peace sign toward the Yankees bullpen after rounding first. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chisholm snagged Jacob Wilson's two-hopper with two on and one out in the third, bounded off third base for the forceout and balletically arced a throw to first for an inning-ending double play. With the the bases loaded in the the bottom half, Chisholm hit a changeup to the right-center gap that rolled past center fielder Denzel Clarke. He pulled into third base standing up and raised three fingers. 'It's like a blackout situation,' he said. 'I didn't even realize I put up three at third base.' With the bases loaded in the sixth, he made a diving stop near the dirt behind third on Luis Urías' 102.1 mph smash popped up and followed with a one-hop throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Then he caught Tyler Soderstrom's foul pop in the eighth inning while falling against netting in the narrow space next to the rolled up tarp. 'Jazz's defense I think was better than even his day at the plate,' said pitcher Marcus Stroman, who won in his return from a 2 1/2-month injury layoff. "He was incredible over there: a bunch of huge plays that helped me out in big spots, plays that are not normal plays." Advertisement Article continues below this ad New York acquired Chisholm from Miami last July 27 for three minor leaguers. Since then he's hit .257 with 24 homers, 58 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 99 games. 'His game's so electric, and he can change the game and kind of affect the game in so many different ways in a dynamic fashion,' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. 'So when he is playing at a high level, I think it does energize everyone.' Chisholm briefly caused worry in the sixth. He grimaced in pain after stopping his swing at a 1-2 fastball from Elvis Alvarado, which sailed high and outside. Chisholm went to the dugout and immediately up the tunnel to the clubhouse. Then he reappeared at third base for the start of the seventh. 'The bat kind of slipped out of my hand and hit me on the finger,' he said. 'It just hit the bone and when you get hit on the bone, it's kind of funny, it's just feels weird. So it was kind of scary at first, but we're good.' Advertisement Article continues below this ad ___
Fox Sports
41 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
South Korean duo win Dow Championship to deny Lexi Thompson a long-sought title
Associated Press MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) — Somi Lee poured in an 8-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to team with fellow South Korean Jin Hee Im to win the Dow Championship on Sunday, denying Lexi Thompson her first LPGA title in six years. Thompson's partner, Megan Khang, had a chance to extend the playoff, but she missed a 5-foot birdie putt that was on the low side of the hole from the start. Thompson made an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th hole, with Khang still facing a 6-foot birdie attempt, as the American duo closed with a 10-under 60 in the fourballs format. They were the first to post at 20-under 260. Lee made a 10-foot birdie putt to tie for the lead on the 17th. Im and Lee missed birdie chances on the 18th in regulation for the win. The playoff switched to foursomes. Thompson hit the tee shot on the 18th to just 5 feet right of the cup. Im went nearer the pin but 8 feet long, setting up Lee for the winning putt. 'Bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy how we played,' Khang said. Thompson has not won since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019 and decided last summer to no longer play a full schedule. The Dow Championship was her eighth tournament this year. Im and Lee are in their second year on the LPGA Tour and this was their first title in America, though both were prolific winners on the Korea LPGA. Im has won six times on the KLPGA, while Lee has five KLPGA titles. 'I can't believe it,' Lee said after making her winning putt. Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang had a 59 in the better-ball format and tied for third, two shots out of the playoff. They were joined by Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who teamed up for a 64. Albane Valenzuela and Sarah Schmelzel, who had the 54-hole lead, closed with a 66 and failed to make birdie over the final seven holes. They finished fifth, three shots behind. Thompson did not indicate when she would play again. Next on the LPGA schedule is the Evian Championship in France, a major Thompson has skipped every year dating to 2019. The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA schedule. ___ AP golf:
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Jazz Age at Yankee Stadium as Chisholm sparks Yankees at plate, on defense and in clubhouse
NEW YORK (AP) — The Jazz Age is in full swing at Yankee Stadium. Whether with his bat, his glove, his arm or his smile, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is energizing the New York Yankees and their fans. Chisholm hit a second-inning, go-ahead homer and a bases-loaded triple while making three sparkling defensive plays at third base Sunday in a 12-5 romp over the Athletics . 'That's why we got him. That's what the Yankees do. They go after guys that are going to make an impact,' said New York captain Aaron Judge, who homered twice to reach 30 for the sixth time. Chisholm is batting .318 with six homers, 18 RBIs and four stolen bases since returning from strained right oblique on June 3, raising his season totals to .242 with 13 homers, 35 and 10 steals in 53 games. 'I feel like me. I feel I'm back in my era, that I was younger just going out there and just hitting, just not worrying about stuff,' the 27-year-old said. 'Just not worrying by my swing, not worrying about striding too far. Everything just feels good and I'm just going.' After a four-RBI night against Boston in his fourth game back, Chisholm made the unusual assertion he was thriving by giving 70% effort and not stressing. With New York seeking to reopen a 1 1/2-game AL East lead two days into the second half, he drove a first-pitch sinker from former Yankee Luis Severino into the right-field seats for a 1-0, second-inning lead. Ever exuberant, he raised his right hand and made a peace sign toward the Yankees bullpen after rounding first. Chisholm snagged Jacob Wilson's two-hopper with two on and one out in the third, bounded off third base for the forceout and balletically arced a throw to first for an inning-ending double play. With the the bases loaded in the the bottom half, Chisholm hit a changeup to the right-center gap that rolled past center fielder Denzel Clarke. He pulled into third base standing up and raised three fingers. 'It's like a blackout situation,' he said. 'I didn't even realize I put up three at third base.' With the bases loaded in the sixth, he made a diving stop near the dirt behind third on Luis Urías' 102.1 mph smash popped up and followed with a one-hop throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Then he caught Tyler Soderstrom's foul pop in the eighth inning while falling against netting in the narrow space next to the rolled up tarp. 'Jazz's defense I think was better than even his day at the plate,' said pitcher Marcus Stroman, who won in his return from a 2 1/2-month injury layoff. 'He was incredible over there: a bunch of huge plays that helped me out in big spots, plays that are not normal plays.' New York acquired Chisholm from Miami last July 27 for three minor leaguers. Since then he's hit .257 with 24 homers, 58 RBIs and 28 stolen bases in 99 games. 'His game's so electric, and he can change the game and kind of affect the game in so many different ways in a dynamic fashion,' Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. 'So when he is playing at a high level, I think it does energize everyone.' Chisholm briefly caused worry in the sixth. He grimaced in pain after stopping his swing at a 1-2 fastball from Elvis Alvarado, which sailed high and outside. Chisholm went to the dugout and immediately up the tunnel to the clubhouse. Then he reappeared at third base for the start of the seventh. 'The bat kind of slipped out of my hand and hit me on the finger,' he said. 'It just hit the bone and when you get hit on the bone, it's kind of funny, it's just feels weird. So it was kind of scary at first, but we're good.' ___ AP MLB:
