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The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Spain show experience to shrug off Swiss challenge at Women's Euros
Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Quarter Final - Spain v Switzerland - Stadion Wankdorf, Bern, Switzerland - July 18, 2025 Spain's Claudia Pina in action with Switzerland's Nadine Riesen REUTERS/Matthew Childs BERN (Reuters) -Spain missed two penalties and struggled to break down Switzerland in their Euro 2025 quarter-final on Friday but the world champions leveraged all their experience to score twice in the second half to set up a showdown against either France or Germany. With a raucous crowd roaring on the hosts, the Spaniards were unusually sloppy despite dominating possession in the first half, and it took goals from substitute Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina in the second to finally get them over the line. "It is true that many times we are used to winning the first parts (of games) very quickly but in real football it is not like that. In real football, you play 90 minutes, especially when you're in the European championship," Spain playmaker Aitana Bonmati told reporters. "The truth is that Spain has brought out a bit of that maturity, that insistence that I think is important, because it's not easy in the quarter-finals and in the end that was the mentality that the team had," defender Laia Aleixandri said. "The semi-finals were up for grabs and I think that weighs heavily. You had to be very careful in the back, because we always say it -- we attack with many players and Switzerland was very good, but I think that in the end we have been mentally very strong, not only me but the whole team," she added. The Spaniards formed a guard of honour for their Swiss hosts as they left the field, and the Spanish players promised they would celebrate as they waited to find out who they will face in the semi-final in Zurich on Wednesday. "It's a party, dancing, singing, as it should be. It's a step to the semi-finals, I think we have to enjoy it now. One way or another, we will find out our opponent," Aleixandri added. (Reporting by Philip O'Connor, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Spain see off spirited Swiss to reach Women's Euro 2025 semi-finals
Find out what's new on ST website and app. BERN - Spain reached the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on July 18 after battling past Switzerland 2-0 as the world champions continued their bid for a first-ever European crown. Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina scored the goals in the second half in Bern to give La Roja deserved passage to the last four where they will face either France or Germany on July 16. But Montse Tome's team didn't have it all their own way as hosts Switzerland put up a brave fight in front of a passionate crowd at the Wankdorf Stadium. The Swiss survived an early scare when Mariona Caldentey shot wide a ninth-minute penalty and from there did a great job in gumming up Spain's usually free-flowing football. Pia Sundhage's players acquitted themselves brilliantly in their home tournament and were given a loud round of applause from the majority of the nearly 30,000 supporters. The Swiss, who finished the match with 10 women after Noelle Maritz was sent off in the final minute, had never progressed past the group stage of a Euros before and in the end Spain proved to be too much for the team ranked 23rd in the world. Spain meanwhile overcame a serious test of patience before their superior quality eventually prevailed, with Alexia Putellas' wasted penalty late on changing nothing. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Asia Indonesia court jails former trade minister for 4½ years in sugar graft case Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 7-year-old girl, cabby taken to hospital after vehicle pile-up in City Hall area Singapore Former NUH male nurse charged after he allegedly molested man at hospital An already raucous home crowd roared with delight when Caldentey scuffed wide her spot-kick after the Arsenal forward was brought down by Nadine Riesen. Switzerland's defender Nadine Riesen (right) concedes a penalty due to a fault on Spain's midfielder Mariona Caldentey. PHOTO: AFP But that didn't discourage Spain who dealt well with the fervent atmosphere and some fierce tackling but struggled to find a way through the home team's packed defence. The efforts that Spain did have on goal were wayward with a series of potshots and blocked efforts before Irene Paredes headed Pina's corner onto the post two minutes before half-time. The same pattern continued after the break with Spain probing and bumping against both a Swiss wall and the woodwork. Patri Guijarro headed another corner onto the post and in the ensuing scramble Esther Gonzalez somehow contrived to strike the other post in front of an open goal. It didn't look like it was going to be Spain's night but del Castillo finally made the breakthrough in the 66th minutes – four minute after replacing Caldentey – collecting Aitana Bonmati's through ball and rolling home the goal which ended Switzerland's spirited resistance. Switzerland's Nadine Riesen (left) in action against Spain's Athenea Del Castillo. PHOTO: EPA Pina whipped home a wonderful second goal five minutes later and that was that for the Swiss, who at least had one more thing to cheer for when Livia Peng pushed out Putellas' weak spot-kick with two minutes remaining. AFP
Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Do the Swiss care about Women's Euros? I went to find out
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 — 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.
Reuters
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Sweet success eludes proud Swiss in narrow Norway defeat
BASEL, Switzerland, July 2 (Reuters) - 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.
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Switzerland Falls 2-1 to Norway in Euro 2025 Opener
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.'
