Latest news with #LiaWaelti
CNA
4 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Women's Euros reach new peaks in Switzerland as final awaits
OBERENTFELDEN, Switzerland :The Women's Euros reach their climax with the final between holders England and Spain on Sunday, but before a ball is even kicked at the St. Jakob-Park stadium, records have been smashed at what has proved to be the most successful edition of the tournament. Before their quarter-final defeat by Spain, Swiss fans held up a banner saying "Time to move mountains", but by then the hosts already had, making the knockout stage for the first time as a fever for women's football swept the country - and the continent. "I hope it was just a very, very important step to show Switzerland that women can play football really well - not just Switzerland, but all the other teams as well," Swiss captain Lia Waelti said after the hosts exited the tournament. Fans at games in Switzerland have shattered attendance records, including the highest overall one ever, with the final still to be played. A record 623,088 fans attended games through the end of the semi-finals, obliterating the previous total of 574,875 fans who watched the entire England 2022 tournament. England's dramatic semi-final win over Italy in extra time gave British broadcaster ITV its biggest audience of the year with 10.2 million linear viewers, and another 17.2 million following the game on streaming platform ITV X. Fox Sports in the United States also reported a 176 per cent increase in the number watching the semi-finals compared to 2022 as the tournament caught the imagination on the other side of the Atlantic. It has not all, however, been plain sailing. The opening games were overshadowed by soaring temperatures that led to worries about player welfare and UEFA suspending rules around water bottles for fans. JOYOUS CELEBRATION There was also the death of Portugal international Diogo Jota and his brother in a car accident, which cast a pall over Portugal's opening game against Spain. In the end, the game itself honoured his memory by turning into a joyous celebration of Portuguese football, despite the team's defeat. The 16 teams in the group stage provided plenty of excitement, with Switzerland's late equaliser against Finland to snatch second place in their final Group A game stealing the plaudits as the most dramatic moment. Fans did not have long to wait for the next twist in the tale, as England came back from two goals down to beat Sweden after a chaotic penalty shootout in their quarter-final. Online critics hailed that shootout, with only five successful efforts out of 14, as one of the worst ever, ignoring Sweden keeper Jennifer Falk's exceptional performance in which she made four saves from English spot-kicks, yet still ended up on the losing side. England's Michelle Agyemang is the break-out star of the tournament, netting two vital equalisers as they flirted with disaster in the knockout stage and playing a major role in getting them to the final. Through it all, the Spaniards have ticked like a metronome, starting games slowly before gradually finding the solution to whatever opposition was in front of them and winning all five of their matches. Another win for the Spaniards against England will give them the European crown to add to their world and Nations League victories, confirming them as the dominant team. However, England's never-say-die mentality stands between them and that goal. No matter how that game turns out, the tournament has successfully sustained the momentum created at Euro 2022, and the trajectory for the women's game continues to move sharply upwards.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Women's Euros reach new peaks in Switzerland as final awaits
OBERENTFELDEN, Switzerland - The Women's Euros reach their climax with the final between holders England and Spain on Sunday, but before a ball is even kicked at the St. Jakob-Park stadium, records have been smashed at what has proved to be the most successful edition of the tournament. Before their quarter-final defeat by Spain, Swiss fans held up a banner saying "Time to move mountains", but by then the hosts already had, making the knockout stage for the first time as a fever for women's football swept the country -- and the continent. "I hope it was just a very, very important step to show Switzerland that women can play football really well -- not just Switzerland, but all the other teams as well," Swiss captain Lia Waelti said after the hosts exited the tournament. Fans at games in Switzerland have shattered attendance records, including the highest overall one ever, with the final still to be played. A record 623,088 fans attended games through the end of the semi-finals, obliterating the previous total of 574,875 fans who watched the entire England 2022 tournament. England's dramatic semi-final win over Italy in extra time gave British broadcaster ITV its biggest audience of the year with 10.2 million linear viewers, and another 17.2 million following the game on streaming platform ITV X. Fox Sports in the United States also reported a 176% increase in the number watching the semi-finals compared to 2022 as the tournament caught the imagination on the other side of the Atlantic. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, Grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Singapore As Asean looks to nuclear energy, public education efforts are needed: UN nuclear watchdog chief Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar Asia Death toll climbs as Thai-Cambodia clashes continue despite calls for ceasefire Asia Shunsaku Tamiya, who brought perfection to plastic race car models, dies at 90 It has not all, however, been plain sailing. The opening games were overshadowed by soaring temperatures that led to worries about player welfare and UEFA suspending rules around water bottles for fans. JOYOUS CELEBRATION There was also the death of Portugal international Diogo Jota and his brother in a car accident, which cast a pall over Portugal's opening game against Spain. In the end, the game itself honoured his memory by turning into a joyous celebration of Portuguese football, despite the team's defeat. The 16 teams in the group stage provided plenty of excitement, with Switzerland's late equaliser against Finland to snatch second place in their final Group A game stealing the plaudits as the most dramatic moment. Fans did not have long to wait for the next twist in the tale, as England came back from two goals down to beat Sweden after a chaotic penalty shootout in their quarter-final. Online critics hailed that shootout, with only five successful efforts out of 14, as one of the worst ever, ignoring Sweden keeper Jennifer Falk's exceptional performance in which she made four saves from English spot-kicks, yet still ended up on the losing side. England's Michelle Agyemang is the break-out star of the tournament, netting two vital equalisers as they flirted with disaster in the knockout stage and playing a major role in getting them to the final. Through it all, the Spaniards have ticked like a metronome, starting games slowly before gradually finding the solution to whatever opposition was in front of them and winning all five of their matches. Another win for the Spaniards against England will give them the European crown to add to their world and Nations League victories, confirming them as the dominant team. However, England's never-say-die mentality stands between them and that goal. No matter how that game turns out, the tournament has successfully sustained the momentum created at Euro 2022, and the trajectory for the women's game continues to move sharply upwards. REUTERS
Reuters
4 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Women's Euros reach new peaks in Switzerland as final awaits
OBERENTFELDEN, Switzerland, July 26 (Reuters) - The Women's Euros reach their climax with the final between holders England and Spain on Sunday, but before a ball is even kicked at the St. Jakob-Park stadium, records have been smashed at what has proved to be the most successful edition of the tournament. Before their quarter-final defeat by Spain, Swiss fans held up a banner saying "Time to move mountains", but by then the hosts already had, making the knockout stage for the first time as a fever for women's football swept the country -- and the continent. "I hope it was just a very, very important step to show Switzerland that women can play football really well -- not just Switzerland, but all the other teams as well," Swiss captain Lia Waelti said after the hosts exited the tournament. Fans at games in Switzerland have shattered attendance records, including the highest overall one ever, with the final still to be played. A record 623,088 fans attended games through the end of the semi-finals, obliterating the previous total of 574,875 fans who watched the entire England 2022 tournament. England's dramatic semi-final win over Italy in extra time gave British broadcaster ITV its biggest audience of the year with 10.2 million linear viewers, and another 17.2 million following the game on streaming platform ITV X. Fox Sports in the United States also reported a 176% increase in the number watching the semi-finals compared to 2022 as the tournament caught the imagination on the other side of the Atlantic. It has not all, however, been plain sailing. The opening games were overshadowed by soaring temperatures that led to worries about player welfare and UEFA suspending rules around water bottles for fans. There was also the death of Portugal international Diogo Jota and his brother in a car accident, which cast a pall over Portugal's opening game against Spain. In the end, the game itself honoured his memory by turning into a joyous celebration of Portuguese football, despite the team's defeat. The 16 teams in the group stage provided plenty of excitement, with Switzerland's late equaliser against Finland to snatch second place in their final Group A game stealing the plaudits as the most dramatic moment. Fans did not have long to wait for the next twist in the tale, as England came back from two goals down to beat Sweden after a chaotic penalty shootout in their quarter-final. Online critics hailed that shootout, with only five successful efforts out of 14, as one of the worst ever, ignoring Sweden keeper Jennifer Falk's exceptional performance in which she made four saves from English spot-kicks, yet still ended up on the losing side. England's Michelle Agyemang is the break-out star of the tournament, netting two vital equalisers as they flirted with disaster in the knockout stage and playing a major role in getting them to the final. Through it all, the Spaniards have ticked like a metronome, starting games slowly before gradually finding the solution to whatever opposition was in front of them and winning all five of their matches. Another win for the Spaniards against England will give them the European crown to add to their world and Nations League victories, confirming them as the dominant team. However, England's never-say-die mentality stands between them and that goal. No matter how that game turns out, the tournament has successfully sustained the momentum created at Euro 2022, and the trajectory for the women's game continues to move sharply upwards.
Dubai Eye
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Swiss women win fans' hearts with joyous Euro journey
Long after the final whistle in Switzerland's defeat to Spain that ended their Euros, fans chanted and sang the praises of a squad that electrified the host nation. For more than two weeks "La Nati", as the women's national team is affectionately known, captivated Switzerland with red-shirted fans thronging sold-out stadiums to see them qualify for the knockout stage of the Euros for the first time. They battled bravely in their quarter-final before succumbing 2-0 to reigning world champions Spain. "We had tears in our eyes. I think when everyone saw us, it was a bit emotional," Swiss captain Lia Waelti said of walking out for the quarter-final. "We never dreamed of it, and what happened here in Switzerland in the last two weeks is unbelievable. It's a dream and we really enjoyed it to the fullest." After opening with a 2-1 defeat by Norway, Switzerland bounced back to beat Iceland 2-0 before grabbing a stoppage-time equaliser in a thrilling 1-1 draw with Finland to progress to the last eight as runners-up in Group A. Though Spain were the better team in their quarter-final, the well-organised Swiss harried and harassed them all over the field. It took Aitana Bonmati's superb back-heel, setting up Athenea del Castillo, to finally breach their defence in the 66th minute, with Claudia Pina adding a second five minutes later. "I'm very, very proud," the 32-year-old midfielder Waelti told reporters. "I think we did everything that was in our power - we fought, we kept the ball as long as possible. It's not easy against Spain. They have incredible quality on the pitch." At the final whistle, the Swiss fans raised their voices even further to show their appreciation, and such was the respect of the Spanish players that they formed a guard of honour for the Swiss team as they left the field. An hour later, Swiss fans of all ages outside the stadium stood pressed up against a metal barrier, hoping for one last glimpse of the team that catapulted women's football into the national consciousness as the players boarded the team bus for one final journey back to their base. Asked about her favourite memory from the tournament, an emotional Waelti pointed to the opening game against Norway as a special occasion before offering a broader perspective. "Every moment together with the fans. Every moment we could see how many people we actually brought on our side to support us. To see that is so, so special and it's something we've never dreamed about," she said. "I'll always keep that near my heart and in my memories, and I really hope we get the chance one day to experience that again."
The Star
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Swiss women win fans' hearts with joyous Euro journey
BERN (Reuters) -Long after the final whistle in Switzerland's defeat to Spain that ended their Euros, fans chanted and sang the praises of a squad that electrified the host nation. For more than two weeks "La Nati", as the women's national team is affectionately known, captivated Switzerland with red-shirted fans thronging sold-outstadiums to see them qualify for the knockout stage of the Euros for the first time. They battled bravely in their quarter-final before succumbing 2-0 to reigning world champions Spain. "We had tears in our eyes. I think when everyone saw us, it was a bit emotional," Swiss captain Lia Waelti said of walking out for the quarter-final. "We never dreamed of it, and what happened here in Switzerland in the last two weeks is unbelievable. It's a dream and we really enjoyed it to the fullest." After opening with a 2-1 defeat by Norway, Switzerland bounced back to beat Iceland 2-0 before grabbing a stoppage-time equaliser in a thrilling 1-1 draw with Finland to progress to the last eight as runners-up in Group A. Though Spain were the better team in their quarter-final, the well-organised Swiss harried and harassed them all over the field. It took Aitana Bonmati's superb back-heel, setting up Athenea del Castillo, to finally breach their defence in the 66th minute, with Claudia Pina adding a second five minutes later. "I'm very, very proud," the 32-year-old midfielder Waelti told reporters. "I think we did everything that was in our power - we fought, we kept the ball as long as possible. It's not easy against Spain. They have incredible quality on the pitch." At the final whistle, the Swiss fans raised their voices even further to show their appreciation, and such was the respect of the Spanish players that they formed a guard of honour for the Swiss team as they left the field. An hour later, Swiss fans of all ages outside the stadium stood pressed up against a metal barrier, hoping for one last glimpse of the team that catapulted women's football into the national consciousness as the players boarded the team bus for one final journey back to their base. Asked about her favourite memory from the tournament, an emotional Waelti pointed to the opening game against Norway as a special occasion before offering a broader perspective. "Every moment together with the fans. Every moment we could see how many people we actually brought on our side to support us. To see that is so, so special and it's something we've never dreamed about," she said. "I'll always keep that near my heart and in my memories, and I really hope we get the chance one day to experience that again." (Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
