BERN, Switzerland — Switzerland coach Pia Sundhage hopes the staff’s run to the quarterfinal of their house European Championship will show to be a take-off second for girls’s soccer within the nation regardless of Friday’s 2-0 loss to Spain.
Second-half targets from Athenea del Castillo and Clàudia Pina booked Spain’s place in Wednesday’s semifinal towards both Germany or France, however the event has nonetheless exceeded all expectations for the hosts.
Switzerland have been given unbelievable help in all 4 of their matches on their run to the knockout levels, with a sellout crowd of just about 30,000 staying effectively past the ultimate whistle on the Wankdorf Stadium on Friday to congratulate them for his or her performances.
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“I’m disenchanted that I’ve to return house,” Sundhage stated in a information convention. “The ambiance within the locker room and the primary half tells me it is a good staff.
“However Spain are world champions. We tried. That’s a very powerful factor. I’m additionally very pleased with Switzerland. When you have a look at the individuals coming to the video games, it has been phenomenal.
“It has been a as soon as in a lifetime feeling, very emotional. And so they did not go away! They stayed. That reveals me there are individuals in Switzerland that suppose that girls’s soccer is necessary and I’m very grateful for that.”
Former UWMNT, Sweden and Brazil coach Sundhage says she believes the event will go away a long-lasting legacy in Switzerland
“It is crucial [to continue this] going ahead,” the Swedish coach added. “That is, I really feel, a take-off. After internet hosting on house soil and so forth, it is a probability.
“We misplaced the sport, however I feel sooner or later we’re profitable a optimistic angle for girls’s soccer. Some gamers are unhappy, some disenchanted, however in the event you give us time, I feel all of us will likely be pleased with how we continued the journey.
“Now it is the following step. That will likely be necessary. Earlier than this Euros, I used to be pondering there could be huge crowds, however the fan zones, the individuals supporting the nationwide staff, has been phenomenal. I used to be dreaming about this, however that is greater than I dreamt of.”
Switzerland, ranked twenty third on the earth, got little probability earlier than the sport towards Spain.
The night acquired off to the worst attainable begin when the world champions have been awarded an early penalty, however Mariona Caldentey missed and the Swiss managed to get to half-time with the sport goalless.
Substitute Del Castillo lastly broke the impasse within the 66th minute after Spain had hit the woodwork thrice, with Pina including the second 5 minutes later.
There was nonetheless time for Spain to overlook a second penalty, this time via Alexia Putellas, and for Noelle Maritz to be despatched off for the hosts, with Sundhage admitting her facet would have wanted much more fortune to tug off an upset.
“Oh yeah, we had a bit little bit of luck,” she smiled. “When you have a look at the penalty kicks and so forth. We might have wanted much more luck. It was robust, however the staff did very effectively in the event you have a look at the primary half. We nearly made it.”