Switzerland will host the Women’s Football European Championship starting July 2, amid challenges in the domestic league. Coach Kim Kulig expresses concerns about the state of women’s football in the country. Although Swiss clubs have struggled in international competitions, the national team, under coach Pia Sundhage, shows promise with emerging talent. The championship is seen as a crucial opportunity for progress, aiming to sustain interest and success in women’s football beyond the tournament.
Countdown to the Women’s Football European Championship in Switzerland
On July 2, Switzerland will host the highly anticipated Women’s Football European Championship. However, the outlook for the domestic league reveals some challenges. Despite these obstacles, the future prospects for the national team spark optimism.
Kim Kulig, the head coach of FC Basel’s women’s team, sometimes finds herself feeling disheartened. When she discovers on a Thursday that the team’s upcoming away match will be held on an unfamiliar artificial pitch instead of natural grass, it feels surreal. This reality starkly contrasts with the exciting football that the European Championship promises, instead resembling a lackluster amateur experience.
“Switzerland is falling behind compared to other countries,” remarks Kulig, highlighting the need for significant improvements within the league. While Basel has seen numerous positive developments over the years, public interest in women’s football remains limited, and the disparity in performance is pronounced. Notably, Kulig has yet to experience a post-match press conference in Switzerland as a coach.
The State of Swiss Clubs in International Competitions
Looking at the Champions League outcomes only heightens her concerns. Swiss champions have consistently struggled at the initial stages; for instance, Servette Geneva faced elimination in the playoffs this season, while FC Zurich and Geneva finished without points in the group stages in previous years.
The last time a Swiss club celebrated a Champions League victory was in the 2018/2019 season, when Zurich progressed past Honka Espoo from Finland only to be knocked out by FC Bayern in the following round.
As for the national team, their achievements have also been limited. They reached the World Cup round of 16 in both 2015 and 2023 but faced early exits from the European Championship in their last two appearances. The team remains winless in their initial games of the Nations League.
However, with renowned coach Pia Sundhage at the helm and former German World Champion Nadine Angerer now serving as goalkeeper coach, there is renewed hope. Angerer emphasizes the importance of this period as a time for building and evolving the team, suggesting that the European Championship will serve as a deserved reward for their hard work.
Younger talents are expected to invigorate the squad, with many Swiss players now showcasing their skills in prominent leagues like the Bundesliga, Serie A, and the US. Among them is 18-year-old Sydney Schertenleib, who joined Champions League winners FC Barcelona last summer. Angerer believes that the younger players can inspire their more experienced teammates.
Reflecting on past performances, including a heavy 0:6 defeat against Germany last November, Angerer remains optimistic. “We have shown our capability by beating France and drawing against Australia, with only a narrow loss to England,” she notes, indicating that the team is on the brink of achieving greater success despite lacking that final push needed to compete with top-tier teams.
With the European Championship on the horizon, Kulig hopes for a successful campaign to ease the challenges of team assembly. She acknowledges that building a competitive team is no small task, but her appointment has attracted many players eager to contribute to the project in Basel. However, international competition is intensifying.
Is the upcoming European Championship merely a summer spectacle? Angerer is confident that it represents a pivotal opportunity for Switzerland. “We are committed to ensuring this tournament leads to lasting success for women’s football,” she asserts, as the association rolls out initiatives designed to sustain interest beyond the championship.
Ultimately, this tournament should not be a fleeting moment in time. Perhaps Kulig will be pleasantly surprised by the progress next season brings, but this time, it will be for the better.