Switzerland Hosts Women's Euro 2025 Celebrating Football Transformation

Switzerland's women's football team has reignited their hopes in the Women's Euros with a 2-0 victory over Iceland, setting up a crucial match against Finland, while Norway secured the top spot in their group. In a major upset, France's women's team defeated reigning champions England 2-1 in Zurich, showcasing their speed and tactical discipline under new coach Laurent Bonadei, despite England's coach Sarina Wiegman's disappointment. The tournament also serves as a celebration of the progress made in Swiss women's football, highlighted by pioneers like Madeleine Boll, the first Swiss woman licensed to play football in 1965, whose legacy is honored by the tournament mascot named after her. Boll and her contemporaries reflect on the challenges they faced, including having their playing licenses revoked and fighting for recognition, which paved the way for the current generation of female players. Today, Switzerland boasts 40,000 registered female players and 134 female referees, a testament to the significant growth and transformation of women's football in the country. Hosting the Women's European Championship is seen as a catalyst to further boost the sport's popularity and development in Switzerland.