Latest news with #Basel
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Swiss stumble but Sundhage rallies Euro 2025 hosts
"This is once in a lifetime, it will never come back."Switzerland head coach Pia Sundhage had been unequivocal in her pre-match news conference as she urged her players to "embrace the pressure" of their opening game as Euro 2025 when it came to it, the Swiss did not get the win they so badly craved in Basel as their first major women's tournament on home soil began with a 2-1 defeat by highly experienced Sundhage knows all about leading a host nation on a big stage, having taken charge of Sweden on home soil at Euro 2013, something she described as "one of my best years".This time her Switzerland team threw away a 1-0 lead and fell to defeat in cruel fashion, with defender Julia Stierli's unfortunate own goal settling the Hegerberg had cancelled out Nadine Riesen's opener barely four minutes before Stierli steered a low cross into her own made the Swiss the first Women's Euros hosts to lose their opening match, but hope still remains that they will reach the knockout tournament was not kickstarted with pre-match pyrotechnics or anything flashy. Instead the opening ceremony in Basel was playful and entertaining as performers danced with silver tubes before a giant Women's Euros trophy was formed in the centre circle, surrounded by flags of all the 16 countries competing in players seemed to take the burden of expectation in their stride early on, playing on the front foot. They dominated two-time European champions Norway in the first half at a sold-out St Jakob-Park, but they could not see the job whether her players embraced the pressure, Sundhage said: "Oh yeah. I have never seen that kind of locker room previously and at the hotel before we left."Step by step, the best part is it's different players that use their voice. We were prepared. I talked to them after the game and it's so important to use your language and your body language and words as well after defeat because we still have a chance to play the quarter-final."That is the message now - Sundhage wants her side to make the most of their remaining Group A games against Iceland and Finland."We start with Iceland and if we play a good game then we put ourselves in a good spot," she said."Be responsible for what you say, what you do and how you behave, because that is the best thing for the Swiss national team and the Swiss people." The Swiss people played their part on day one of the tournament, and the overwhelming feeling around Basel on the opening day of Euro 2025 was of fans turned out to march to the stadium together, walking 45 minutes from the city centre in sweltering may have been high, but so was the Swiss were men and women, boys and girls, almost all wearing red shirts and embracing the excitement of hosting the prestigious sang, chanted and rang cow bells all the way. Locals hung out of their balconies to join in the celebrations and there was a real feel-good appointment in 2024 brought huge excitement, with the former Sweden and Brazil boss one of the most respected and experienced figures in the women's went into Wednesday's games with a modest seven wins in 18 games as Switzerland boss, but there was still plenty of goodwill towards her and the team from fans spoke of how hosting Euro 2025 felt like a "new era" for women's football in Switzerland, while others said the nation just wanted to get behind their team to push them over the line, rather then criticise tactics and party atmosphere continued into the ground, with Swiss fans loving every minute of their moment on the big though the result was not what they wanted, the fans never wavered and stuck by their team. 'Euros can be great moment to kickstart change' An official attendance of 34,063 was announced on Wednesday - a big step for women's football in were selected to host Euro 2025 in a bidding process which saw them beat Poland, France and a joint bid from Denmark, Sweden, Finland and head of women's football Nadine Kessler said Switzerland were the underdogs in the bidding process and challenged them to "make something out of it".Switzerland want to replicate England's success as hosts three years ago and hope Euro 2025 can be a springboard to help grow their domestic women's Swiss Women's Super League is not yet professional. Attendances have risen in the build-up to Euro 2025 and Young Boys set an attendance record of 10,647 in March, but last season's average attendance across the league was just issues surrounding infrastructure, accessibility and pay, there is the sense that Euro 2025 could be the turning point that Swiss women's football needs."Right now, women's football isn't in a great place in Switzerland," journalist Helene Altgelt told the BBC."The league is severely underfunded, most teams aren't professional, many teams aren't playing in a real stadium so there is no actual stands. This is unacceptable for women's football in 2025."The federation has realised this and now the Euros can be a great moment to kickstart that change and ensure women's football is going to be professional and more girls can live their dream of actually living by playing football and not having three side hustles or studying."The Swiss Football Association has implemented an ambitious legacy programme that hopes to double the number of girls and women playing football in Switzerland from 40,000 to 80,000. It also hopes to double the number of coaches and increase attendances in the league by Sundhage said, this moment will never come back, but the signs are positive that women's football can grow significantly in Switzerland.A win or ideally two from their team over the next week, however, would go a long way to making sure of that.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Riesen delivers national moment for Switzerland before Norway apply sting
As time wore down and Switzerland strained to restore parity in a match that had looked so comfortably within their grasp, the clattering encouragement of a cowbell sounded from St Jakob-Park's west stand. It may unwittingly have been tolling for the home nation, whose campaign now stands on a knife-edge after one day. The occasion's celebratory feel had largely been matched by the vibrancy of their football; this, though, was ultimately a barely-deserved triumph of Norwegian experience over local expectation. 'This Euro arrives a bit too early,' La Liberté had cautioned its readers over their matchday breakfast. It was hardly a rousing tone setter but perhaps the point was fair. Nobody watching Pia Sundhage's players work through the thirds, tear away down the wings and pin their opponents back for the first 50 minutes of this showpiece would have questioned the technical quality or intent of a team natives have taken some persuading to love. In the end knowhow and a little luck, those nebulous descriptors that somehow become starkly real in tournament football, inhabited the shirts in white and meant the mood was drained decisively. Basel had been ready to party, the stifling heat lending a headiness to the buildup as fans crammed into trams and warmed up in riverside bars. This is prime season for a dip in the Rhine, which partly cleaves its way along the borders with Germany and France that confound geographers and mark the city's outskirts. Floating along its course, guided by the current, is a popular pastime here but Switzerland now find themselves confronted by a swelling tide. The energy was only pulsing one way when Nadine Riesen, who put in a remarkable first-half performance, swept in their opener shortly before the half hour. This is a beautiful venue: steep, stern, guttural. It holds the noise in, smells of football and diminishes the arguments of those who would have favoured a host country with bigger grounds. The eruption in the stands, the mass bundle between substitutes and starters, was that of a football country finding its place. This was a national moment: an exhibition of brilliance from a sport that had been subdued in these parts for too long. Switzerland filled the senses before slipping away. The 18-year-olds, Noemi Ivelj and Iman Beney, teased and darted. Riesen, the Eintracht Frankfurt wing-back, dictated the pace and flow from her flank. Lia Wälti, passed fit, pulled the strings. In the stands her Arsenal teammate, Kim Little, wore a replica shirt bearing her name. Goodwill radiated here and, until Norway applied the sting, so did hope. What a smash and grab this proved to be from a visiting side that had resembled strangers. Norway were a maddening watch until Ada Hegerberg, with a prodigious leap, continued the habit of a career while reannouncing herself on the tournament stage. Her penalty miss, the centrepiece of a dizzying five minutes in which Switzerland were denied their own spot kick, was rendered a footnote. A piece of individual quality from Caroline Graham Hansen, a gliding half-threat all night, had already caused Julia Stierli to put through her net for the winner. It means Norway are poised for the knockouts, although the display of a talent-rich side will perpetuate questions about their status in the world. Earlier in the day their football association, led by Lise Klaveness, had hosted a meeting with delegates from Eliteserien clubs and other institutions to discuss how a one-time trailblazer could regain a little of its old power. Times have changed immeasurably since Norway's titles in 1987 and 1993; they looked a team of moments here, big on ability but low on cohesion. They pack a punch but look unlikely to string together a set of showings convincing enough to trouble the favourites. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Klaveness embraced Aleksander Ceferin, the Uefa president, before kick-off. Her recent appointment to the governing body's executive committee affords Norway at least one lever of greater influence, while amping up the voice of women's football in Europe's corridors of power. It made a convincing statement here, helped by a day that passed with few wider ripples. Perhaps referees in future ties will take a firmer grip on timewasting than Alina Pesu, the Romanian official, managed here; Norway's procrastination after edging ahead was one of few elements that genuinely riled the crowd and should have been stamped out quickly. Seven minutes from time Switzerland had their chance to seize the narrative again when Géraldine Reuteler, played through by a typically incisive move, was denied by the impressive Norway goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand. The moment had passed; they would not come anywhere near as close again. It was the visiting bench that teemed onto the surface at full-time, making for their pocket of supporters and maybe reflecting that it was no small feat to defeat hosts in an opener for the first time. The bell could not save Switzerland, but something must intervene before their dream withers.
CNA
an hour ago
- Sport
- CNA
Sweet success eludes proud Swiss in narrow Norway defeat
BASEL, Switzerland :When Switzerland's Nadine Riesen put her side 1-0 up against Norway in their Women's Euro 2025 opener at St. Jakobs-Park on Wednesday the whole nation erupted and even though the Swiss let their lead slip and lost 2-1, they still left the stadium with their heads held high. "It felt amazing. I couldn't imagine that I would score a goal, and even happier that we could celebrate all together. The atmosphere was so nice, and the whole stadium and, yeah, it's something I will never forget," the 25-year-old Riesen told Reuters, beaming with pride despite the defeat. "The first half, I think we played pretty well, we showed what we can do. We wanted to give the whole of Switzerland something back... and it's so sad that we didn't make it through the second half." Norway captain Ada Hegerberg scored just after the break and Switzerland then conceded an own goal. Despite plenty of chances and a penalty award that was overturned after a VAR review, the hosts could not fashion another goal. Wednesday's game was Switzerland's third single-goal defeat to Norway in 2025 but Riesen said her side were proud of what they had done. "It's a positive feeling, leaving from here - of course, we're disappointed that we couldn't win, we wanted the three points for sure, so we will keep looking for that, and we will take the first half into Sunday," she said. "And hopefully also the atmosphere, because we felt like we were 12 players on the pitch, not only 11, because everyone was supporting, everyone's rooting, and we really felt that." Switzerland face Iceland, who lost 1-0 to Finland in the tournament's opening game earlier in the day, in Bern on Sunday.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Everton close in on signing Villarreal striker Barry
Everton have moved closer to reaching an agreement with Villarreal over signing France Under-21s striker Thierno 22-year-old has a £34.5m release clause with the Spanish club and is understood to be keen on a move to scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 38 games last season as Villarreal finished fifth in La Liga to qualify for next season's Champions would join as a replacement for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin who left Everton upon the expiry of his contract this Armando Broja also exited when his loan ended, returning to Chelsea without the deal being made was born in Lyon and left French club Sochaux aged 19 to play in the Belgian second division with moved the following season to Swiss Super League club Basel, before joining Villarreal in August 2024 in a deal worth about £13m.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Villains Norway spoil Switzerland's joy in raucous start to Euro 2025
From the picture-perfect opening half of Euro 2025 for hosts Switzerland came the rage of Norway, and with it, the fury of St Jakob-Park. Their thunderous comeback in Basel, and a dizzying couple of minutes where a penalty was awarded both ends, with one missed and the other disallowed, silenced Switzerland's party, as well as the ear-splitting whistles from the home fans. As they soaked in the boos at full-time, it was clear Norway were far from popular winners, not least because of the fact that Switzerland had just become the first dedicated host nation to lose their Euros opener. Those boos will still be ringing in Norway's ears, but this was raucous and fun in front of the sell-out crowd of over 34,000. Buoyed by the home support, Switzerland played with a sense of growing belief from kick off and took a deserved lead when Nadine Riesen drilled a finish inside the near post. Norway, who have a painful and chaotic history of underpowering at major tournaments, especially in games against the hosts, looked to be following the same script. They looked unorganised, and incohesive, as they went into the break behind and fortunate it was only by one. But then the stars arrived. Norway's captain and star striker Ada Hegerberg powered in an equaliser from an inswinging corner, burying the header with force and authority from close-range after the Switzerland goalkeeper Livia Peng failed to collect the cross. Then, within five minutes, Barcelona winger Caroline Graham Hansen skipped off down the left and produced the low cross that looked to have set up Hegerberg's second. Defender Julia Stierli instead cleared into her own net with Hegerberg waiting, a painful moment in a painful night for Switzerland. 'It was bitter and annoying,' said Switzerland's player of the match Geraldine Reuteler. 'It was undeserved.' It was a rapid turnaround but the frantic finale was still to come. Hegerberg had the chance to finish Switzerland off from the penalty spot after the ball struck Reuteler's outstretched arm when she went for a header but the former Ballon d'Or winner astonishingly pulled it wide to an eruption of cheers. At the other end, Switzerland thought they had been awarded a further reprieve when Reisen went down under the soft challenge of Mathilde Harviken in the box. A penalty was awarded by referee Alina Pesu, and it only took a VAR intervention and semi-automated offside call to overturn it. There would be a couple of further let-offs for Norway, none more clear than when Switzerland's 18-year-old star Sydney Schertenleib slipped in Reuteler with a reserve pass. Reuteler, who had been influential in Switzerland's moments of danger and threat all night, lifted her shot over the bar and Norway breathed a sigh of relief. Their attempts to wind down the clock over each substitution and throw-in and efforts to make the most out of the enforced cooling breaks, to the hosts' considerable frustration, was evidence of how desperate they were to get out of Basel. Norway soaked up the boos from the home fans at the end, while many had already left for Switzerland's lap of the pitch at full-time. How different it would have been had Pia Sundhage's side held onto their first-half advantage, or found an equaliser at the death. The hosts had sparked a moment, though, in what was, with all due respect to Iceland and Finland, the true opening game of Euro 2025. Switzerland could hardly have picked a better joyful, unifying scene than Riesen turning and sprinting to the bench to allow the whole squad to celebrate together. 'I had goosebumps the entire match,' said Reuteler. With the control of Lia Walti in midfield and the instinctive flashes of Reuteler in attack, Switzerland appeared to play on their instincts, crashing towards the noise. Reuteler hit the bar and was a menace, though spurned the golden chance to claim a point in the dying stages. Play like this though, and if the Switzerland fans remain this hostile, the hosts should fancy their chances of finishing above Finland and Iceland and getting out of Group A. You also couldn't have asked for a better example of home advantage then when Hegerberg stepped up with the chance to score Norway's third. The piercing, screeching jeers rattled the Norway captain's head and the sight of her penalty flashing past the post gave Switzerland their second wind. You also can't help but wonder what would have happened had the marginal offside call gone Switzerland way and they had their own chance from the penalty spot. Would Norway have crumbled again, as they did throughout the first half? They made sure they held on, though. 'Sometimes you want a perfect world where you perform and win,' said head coach Gemma Grainger. 'Today we didn't perform but did win.' Whether it was substituted players walking the wrong way to take time away from Switzerland, or staying down after fouls, Norway turned to the dark arts frustrating the hosts right to the end. This was a winning note to start, but Norway and all their promise remain a puzzle to solve. For Switzerland, a losing start should not mean that they cannot make this a lively, noisy Euros that may yet extend to the knockout rounds.
