Switzerland are making their second appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Switzerland has a smaller roster than some of the best teams. The inspired captain Lia Wälti suffered an ankle injury, but the squad is still upbeat despite their modest achievements under coach Inka Grings. It helped Grings narrow down her final 23 players in some aspects, but it also means that their most important players need to be at the top of their game if they want to spring some shocks.
The team’s heart and soul are Wälti, Ramona Bachmann of PSG, and Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic of Barcelona. When her team lost 2-1 to Iceland in April without Wälti and Bachmann, Grings referred to the dependency on the three as “damn dangerous.” The transition to Grings has been challenging. There were no victories and only two goals scored in the four friendlies played in the spring against Poland (two games), China, and Iceland. Last week’s 3-3 draw with Zambia demonstrated both their offensive potential and the need for improvement on defense.
Iman Beney, a 16-year-old forward prodigy who tore her anterior cruciate ligament during training, was lost a short time afterwards. Switzerland can yet hope to leave the group, though, as a result of a favorable draw. Co-hosts New Zealand, Norway, and the Philippines, three of the tournament’s five lowest-ranked nations, are in Group A alongside them. They will be devastated if they are left out of the knockout round.
The Manager
Inka Grings, who succeeded Nils Nielsen at the beginning of the year, has given the national squad a new lease on life. While Nielsen placed a lot of attention on cultured buildup plays and ball possession, Grings is more interested in a direct and speedy transition from defense to attack. She speaks clearly and succinctly. In 96 games for Germany, she scored 64 goals, helping her team win the Euros in 2005 and 2009. She had a tremendous playing career. She coached FC Zürich for a year and a half, during which time they won the double and advanced to the Champions League. According to players, the training sessions have been far more severe than they were before to the Euros.
Star player
Although Crnogorcevic and Bachmann may be more well-known and accomplished, Lia Wälti, the captain, is the most crucial player on and off the pitch. She leads with strong authority and has a superb grasp of the game. She had the potential to be a world-class player for Switzerland in that year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, according to current Germany coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, and while it took her a little longer to get there, she is today. After relocating to Arsenal in 2018, she won the Women’s Super League championship right away.
Rising star
Seraina Piubel had a breakout season, contributing significantly to FC Zürich’s successful league championship defense with her goals and assists. Under the guidance of Grings, her previous club coach, the midfielder also developed for the national team. Piubel is phlegmatic about the situation despite the fact that a move overseas is undoubtedly coming. Piubel is incredibly adaptable and can be used in a variety of midfield and even forward positions. Her preferred posture? Immediately behind the attackers.
Fun Fact
In Swiss football, Fabienne Humm is exceptional. She completed a hat trick at the 2015 World Cup in five minutes, setting a new record. She is also a businessman in logistics. Although choosing against pursuing a career overseas since she feels at home in Zürich. She worked at the hotel during the 2022 Euros and missed parts of the World Cup preparations due to her employment.
State of Football
The first women’s league in Switzerland was established in 1970 by a group of trailblazers. It wasn’t included in the football federation until 1993. Huttwil’s opening of a training facility for females in 2004 created the groundwork for the achievements of the present period. More than 34,000 women are currently licensed players in Switzerland thanks to the World Cup debut in 2015, appearances at the Euros in 2017 and 2022, and other factors that enhanced public interest. The federation anticipates another boom after hosting the 2025 European Championship. There will be two women on the federation board starting in July 2024, but there is still more to be done to manage the league’s everyday operations.
Our Prediction
The draw was favorable. The obvious objective is to place in the top two and go to the elimination round. In all likelihood, this team’s potential is the quarterfinals.
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