The football party in Switzerland continues and for the home nation, the hope is very much alive to reach a historic European Championship quarterfinal.
The Swiss women made sure of that when they defeated Iceland 2–0 in front of 29,658 spectators at the boiling European Championship arena in the capital.
Pia Sundhage has previously been in charge of the major nations USA, Sweden, and Brazil. The European Championship adventure she is on now, with a more unpolished Swiss national team, Sundhage describes as "top notch".
This is something special, says the 65-year-old football legend.
I did not think that the Swiss people could create this atmosphere and cannot say enough how important it is for us, the "twelfth player" and the support we get.
Reports of discontent
Prior to the European Championship, the headlines in Switzerland were about internal discontent with Sundhage and a 1–7 loss to 15-year-old boys.
This was followed by the opening defeat, 1–2 against Norway.
So it was a more than welcome display of strength that Switzerland delivered against Iceland. Géraldine Reuteler scored 1–0 in the 76th minute and substitute Alayah Pilgrim added to 2–0 in the 90th.
The atmosphere and camaraderie that these players create is one of the reasons why we win today, says Pia Sundhage.
Now we have given ourselves the chance to advance and it feels like the team is getting tighter and tighter. It is very important if you want to win something, that you believe in each other and believe that you can win.
Draw is enough
Norway is on maximum six points after two matches and has already secured advancement to the quarterfinals. Switzerland and Finland, both with three points, meet in Geneva on Thursday in a completely decisive match for the second quarterfinal spot.
Thanks to the late 2–0 goal, a draw is enough for Switzerland, which enters the final group stage with a better goal difference than Finland.
But such details did not want Pia Sundhage to think about after the nice win in Bern.
Today I just want to enjoy, she says.
