The Switzerland coach, Pia Sundhage, has said that she and her players watched clips from when the Swiss men\u2019s team beat Spain in the 2010 World Cup for inspiration before the countries meet in the Euro 2025 quarter-final in Berne on Friday.<\/p>\n
Gelson Fernandes scored the only goal of the game in Durban<\/a> 15 years ago to produce the first shock of that tournament and Sundhage believes her team can repeat the upset.<\/p>\n \u201cWe watched that game together because we wanted to share that piece of history with them,\u201d she said. \u201cJohan [Djourou, who was part of the 2010 men\u2019s World Cup squad and is a member of Sundhage\u2019s coaching team] spoke very emotionally about what it was like. Sharing stories brings us together and gives us strength.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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: \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The hosts have grown into the tournament after an underwhelming opening defeat, against Norway<\/a>. They then beat Iceland 2-0<\/a> before a late equaliser against Finland from Riola Xhemaili sent the Stade de Gen\u00e8ve crowd into raptures and Switzerland into the knockout stage<\/a>.<\/p>\n Switzerland\u2019s players celebrate after the draw with Finland that put them in the quarter-finals. Photograph: Pedro Porru\/SheKicks\/SPP\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Quick GuideSwitzerland v Spain: last three meetingsShow<\/p>\n Switzerland 1-5 Spain, 5 August 2023, Auckland<\/b><\/p>\n On the way to their maiden World Cup triumph in New Zealand, a ruthless Spain put five past Switzerland in the round of 16. Aitana Bonmat\u00ed\u2019s fifth-minute opener was quickly cancelled out by a freakish Laia Codina own goal from near the centre circle. Alba Redondo restored their lead, Bonmat\u00ed struck again and Codina made amends for her error. Jennifer Hermoso then added a fifth, showing Spain\u2019s strength in depth. \u201cWe proved we are a team of 23 players,\u201d said Spain\u2019s coach, Jorge Vilda.<\/p>\n Spain 5-0 Switzerland, 26 September 2023, Cordoba<\/b><\/p>\n The world champions were greeted by a record 14,914 fans for their homecoming match at the \u200b\u200bNuevo Arc\u00e1ngel stadium. Before kick-off both teams held up a banner reading \u201cSe Acab\u00f3 (it\u2019s over) Our fight is the global fight\u201d in reference to Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales\u2019s resignation for forcibly kissing Hermoso on the lips. On the pitch, it was a routine Nations League group win for Spain with Luc\u00eda Garc\u00eda, Bonmat\u00ed (twice), Inma Gabarro and Maite Oroz on the scoresheet.<\/p>\n Switzerland 1-7 Spain, 31 October 2023, Zurich<\/b><\/p>\n Switzerland 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 Hern\u00e1ndez, Alexia Putellas (with two) and Mar\u00eda M\u00e9ndez. The substitutes Athenea del Castillo (two) and Oroz added three more to cap off another Nations League thrashing.\u00a0Ervin Ang<\/b><\/p>\n Thank you for your feedback.<\/p>\n \u201cThe support we have had is impossible do describe,\u201d the Aston Villa defender Maritz said. \u201cWe all thought that there would be a good atmosphere at a home tournament \u2026 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 \u2013 and to be able to share that success with the fans was really something.\u201d<\/p>\n Sundhage\u2019s side have improved substantially since the 2-1 loss to Norway, with the midfielder G\u00e9raldine Reuteler in outstanding form and the 18-year-old Barcelona forward Sydney Schertenleib coming in to give the attack a new dimension.<\/p>\n And now there is real belief. Sundhage said they \u201cwill need a bit of luck\u201d 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 \u201cwalk off as winners\u201d.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n Sign up to Moving the Goalposts<\/p>\n No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women\u2019s football<\/p>\n Privacy Notice: <\/strong>Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. 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