The Switzerland Women's National Football Team is set to clash with Norway on Tuesday evening, following their recent 0-0 draw against Iceland. The stakes are high as both teams strive to demonstrate their readiness for the upcoming Euro 2025, especially after competing on different levels recently.
Ana Maria Crnogorcevic, who plays for Seattle and has been vocal about the team needing improvement, emphasizes, "We need to raise our game." The match against Norway is particularly significant since it serves as both practice and precursor to their Euro matchup against the same team. The Swiss squad has had mixed results recently, most glaringly their inability to find the back of the net against Iceland.
Stavanger, the match venue, experienced thick fog on Monday as the Swiss team trained at the Viking Stadium. Pia Sundhage, the Swedish coach of the Nati, remains hopeful yet realistic after the previous match. "This will be a difficult game, with many duels. The intensity will be greater than against Iceland, and we might have less possession," Sundhage remarks. She acknowledges the disappointment from the Iceland match, where she felt her team's first-half performance was lackluster.
Sundhage, reiterates her commitment to her squad, stating, "The players deserve another chance. It would send the wrong message to sidelined them after one disappointing half." With the Euro just around the corner, she aims to boost the team's confidence and overall performance.
Among the players to watch is Smilla Vallotto, who is not just stepping onto familiar ground but has her own story intertwined with Stavanger. Having lived there until the age of 16, Vallotto reflects, "It’s really special to be back on this field where I played for so long." She has had to navigate challenging circumstances, including missing out on the World Cup last year due to club obligations.
Vallotto, now playing for Hammarby, has quickly established herself as one of the promising talents on the Swiss team. Her prior experience with Norway's club Stabaek gives her insight, noting, "Individually, they are exceptional players, but they sometimes struggle to gel as a team." This game will serve as motivation not only for her to perform well but as part of the larger goal of qualifying and excelling at the Euro 2025.
Back on the Norway side, the team led by new captain Ada Hegerberg will also be coming off disappointing results, having faced France. Hegerberg, who returned to the national team after sitting out for several years due to disputes over conditions for female athletes, embodies the renewed spirit of the Norwegian team. With this backdrop, her leadership will be instrumental.
Norway's performance and teamwork will be put to test, particularly since Switzerland has previously held them to draws, leveraging solid goalkeeping from Gaëlle Thalmann. Both teams are aware of the challenge each presents and the need for focused strategies moving forward.
With the match set for 18:00, anticipation builds as players reflect on prior performances and prepare mentally for what promises to be an intense encounter. Fans from both sides can expect high energy, potential fireworks on the field, and strategies employed by talented teams aiming for glory.
Post-match, both camps will analyze what worked and what didn’t as they gear up for the fast-approaching Euro 2025. The Switzerland Women's National Football Team is poised for growth, and this match against Norway will be just the stage they need to prove themselves as contenders.