Do the Swiss care about Women's Euros? I went to find out

Telegraph

03-07-2025

When I stepped off the plane in Zurich on Monday evening, there was little evidence that a European Championship was about to begin in just two days' time.
But by the time Nadine Riesen had put Switzerland 1-0 up against Norway on Wednesday night, it was as though the country had woken up to the fact they were hosting a major tournament.
There were queues outside the main fan park in the centre of Zurich, although the area is small, and it was standing room only inside.
It was semi-lively but not quite electric. There was hardly a rousing atmosphere when the national anthem was played and there seemed to be more excitement in what I assumed to be a karaoke box, where one woman chose to sing Simply The Best as the game was kicking off.
For those not wishing to stand in the fan zone for 90 minutes, there are several bars and even cafes showing the games on the approaching street, which has been re-named the 'Walk of Emotions' for the tournament.
I headed to Kennedy's Irish Pub, which was full, and the reaction to Riesen's goal was more one of surprise than pure joy. The locals appeared to be there to watch the game, but they did not seem to be massively engaged or glued to the screen.
There was certainly no chanting. Most people were having conversations in their groups and occasionally glancing up to the screen to see what was happening.
When Ada Hegerberg equalised shortly after half-time, there was minimal reaction. There was brief silence when Julia Stierli scored an unfortunate own goal to put Norway ahead, a small cheer when Hegerberg put her penalty wide and then two minutes later when Switzerland thought they had a penalty of their own, before it was ruled out by VAR for offside.
It is hard to know whether there is a different atmosphere when the men's national team are playing and or if the Swiss just watch football differently to how we do in the UK.
After all, Switzerland is hardly a hotbed for men's football, never mind women's football. Riesen, who scored the opening goal, is the player who seems to be on most of the advertisements along with Arsenal's Lia Walti, the team's captain.
Alisha Lehmann, who only just made the squad, would have been the traditional poster girl for the tournament but she is more widely known for her social media presence than her football. Lehmann has 16.7 million followers on Instagram. Riesen, by comparison, has 17,700.
What is certain is that if Euros buzz is to truly take hold, Switzerland will have to progress to the knockouts and that is not guaranteed. Their results in the past year have been far from impressive and defeat in their opening game, though it was probably the toughest they will face, was not a good way to start.
🇨🇭🏆EUROS DIARY - DAY 3
🕺Fan fever begins
🏨Grand Hotels
🚠Gondola adventures pic.twitter.com/yhyPP9GswR
— Kathryn Batte (@KathrynBatte) July 2, 2025
When England fans and supporters from other countries descend on Zurich in the coming days and weeks, perhaps there will be more excitement. It would be wrong to say there is apathy among locals towards the tournament and, indeed, the atmosphere in the stadium in Basel looked far more thrilling than it was on the streets of Zurich.
It does not yet appear that the Euros has gripped the Swiss nation but there is still time. If they can qualify for the quarter-finals it is possible that more people will sit up and take notice. But, for now, Euros fever is still waiting for lift-off.