‘We have a good feeling': Switzerland confident in plan to shock Spain in Euros quarter-final
Gelson Fernandes scored the only goal of the game in Durban 15 years ago to produce the first shock of that tournament and Sundhage believes her team can repeat the upset.
'We watched that game together because we wanted to share that piece of history with them,' she said. 'Johan [Djourou, who was part of the 2010 men's World Cup squad and is a member of Sundhage's coaching team] spoke very emotionally about what it was like. Sharing stories brings us together and gives us strength.'
The Switzerland defender Noelle Maritz said that watching the footage had given her goosebumps. Sundhage did not dwell on the fact that Spain went on to win the 2010 World Cup while Switzerland were knocked out in the group stage, focusing on the here and now and describing the game as the biggest of her career.
The 65-year-old, who won Euro 84 as a player with Sweden and triumphed at two Olympics when in charge of the United States, said: 'It is the biggest game ever [for me]. It is against the world champion, it is at home and it is a quarter-final. This is the moment.'
The hosts have grown into the tournament after an underwhelming opening defeat, against Norway. They then beat Iceland 2-0 before a late equaliser against Finland from Riola Xhemaili sent the Stade de Genève crowd into raptures and Switzerland into the knockout stage.
Spain are clear favourites to reach the semi-finals, having won their three group games, scoring 14 goals in the process, but the atmosphere around the home team has been building and the Swiss believe that support can carry them far.
Switzerland 1-5 Spain, 5 August 2023, AucklandOn the way to their maiden World Cup triumph in New Zealand, a ruthless Spain put five past Switzerland in the round of 16. Aitana Bonmatí's fifth-minute opener was quickly cancelled out by a freakish Laia Codina own goal from near the centre circle. Alba Redondo restored their lead, Bonmatí struck again and Codina made amends for her error. Jennifer Hermoso then added a fifth, showing Spain's strength in depth. 'We proved we are a team of 23 players,' said Spain's coach, Jorge Vilda.Spain 5-0 Switzerland, 26 September 2023, CordobaThe world champions were greeted by a record 14,914 fans for their homecoming match at the Nuevo Arcángel stadium. Before kick-off both teams held up a banner reading 'Se Acabó (it's over) Our fight is the global fight' in reference to Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales's resignation for forcibly kissing Hermoso on the lips. On the pitch, it was a routine Nations League group win for Spain with Lucía García, Bonmatí (twice), Inma Gabarro and Maite Oroz on the scoresheet.Switzerland 1-7 Spain, 31 October 2023, ZurichSwitzerland suffered their third heavy defeat in as many months to La Roja at Stadion Letzigrund, though this time they managed a consolation from Alayah Pilgrim when trailing 4-0, courtesy of goals from Oihane Hernández, Alexia Putellas (with two) and María Méndez. The substitutes Athenea del Castillo (two) and Oroz added three more to cap off another Nations League thrashing. Ervin Ang
'The support we have had is impossible do describe,' the Aston Villa defender Maritz said. 'We all thought that there would be a good atmosphere at a home tournament … but on this scale? It gives you a lot of energy when you see the fans marching towards the stadium. You saw it at the Finland game – and to be able to share that success with the fans was really something.'
Sundhage's side have improved substantially since the 2-1 loss to Norway, with the midfielder Géraldine Reuteler in outstanding form and the 18-year-old Barcelona forward Sydney Schertenleib coming in to give the attack a new dimension.
And now there is real belief. Sundhage said they 'will need a bit of luck' to beat Spain but that they could force that luck with the way they play. Maritz was more bullish, saying they would stick to their gameplan and 'walk off as winners'.
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'We are very much looking forward to the game,' she said. 'We know that it will be hard but we also believe in our qualities. We have had a lot of meetings, have watched a lot of clips and have a good gameplan.'
Maritz, who played for Arsenal between 2020 and 2024, also spoke of the excellent team spirit that has developed. 'You can see that in the last few weeks and the last few games we have grown into a stronger unit. We have a super team spirit and have been able to take a lot of positive energy from the past two games. We have a good feeling about this game.'
The Spain defender Irene Paredes said the world champions would have to be calm in the face of the home support. 'We need to be patient,' she said. 'They will have the crowd behind them, so they will come out very strong.
'They're a team who know exactly what they're about. They defend in great numbers and also get a lot of their players into the box to attack. They have very direct players and their midfielders love to keep the ball. Like I said, we'll have to be very alert.'
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