The women’s national team from Switzerland created history on Thursday at Stade de Genève by making it to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Euros for the first time.
Riola Xhemaili’s stunning strike in the 92nd minute against Finland saved the Swiss from losing 1–1. They qualified on goal difference after placing second in Group A behind Norway. Xhemaili called the event “historic” after she scored the game-winning goal.
“This is a historic time for all of Switzerland.” Xhemaili said, “We’re showing the whole world what Swiss people can do… it’s magical.”
Lia Walti, the captain of Switzerland, said that the squad was pleasantly pleased by how much support they got and how things turned out.
“I don’t think any of us thought things would happen in Switzerland, like sold-out audiences… “Everything is getting way bigger than we thought it would,” Walti remarked.
There were 26,388 supporters at the Stade de Genève on Thursday, which was the most people to attend the event thus far.
The Swiss hosts believe that this legacy will help women’s football flourish even more in the country, much like Euro 2022 did for victors England. The competition will take place in eight cities, with the final on July 27.
The Swiss women’s team had never made it past the group stage of the Euros until now. They first played in 2017. Their remarkable success and the enormous support from local fans mark a crucial milestone in the growth of the sport in Switzerland.
Switzerland will play Spain, the current world champions and the winners of Group B, in the quarter-finals.
