Switzerland Euro 2022 team guide: key players, route to final, prediction & more
Switzerland are relatively new to to major tournaments in women's football but will be determined to show that they are not just there to make up the numbers at Euro 2022 this summer.
The Swiss squad boasts players spread across Europe, with a number of German-based talents and others at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
This is everything you need to know about Switzerland at Euro 2022...
Switzerland Women's Euro 2022 qualifying record
Switzerland were one of the last countries to book their place at Euro 2022 after securing qualification via the playoffs.
They finished as runners-up in qualifying Group H, two points behind Belgium. The decisive result that denied them an automatic place at the tournament was a 4-0 defeat to Belgium in the final game.
In the two-legged second chance play-off against Czech Republic, both matches finished 1-1, forcing extra-time and eventually penalties. Switzerland prevailed 3-2 in the shootout, despite failing to score with either of their first two attempts.
Switzerland Women's team tournament history
Switzerland are at just their second European Championship finals, having only qualified for their first as recently as 2017. On that occasion, they went home before the knockout stages after one win, one draw and one defeat from their three group games.
Euro 1984: Did not qualify
Euro 1987: Did not qualify
Euro 1989: Did not qualify
Euro 1991: Did not qualify
Euro 1993: Did not qualify
Euro 1995: Did not qualify
Euro 1997: Did not qualify
Euro 2001: Did not qualify
Euro 2005: Did not qualify
Euro 2009: Did not qualify
Euro 2013: Did not qualify
Euro 2017: Group stage
On the global stage, the Swiss have done slightly better, albeit still only qualifying for one previous tournament. They got to the round of 16, having annihilated Ecuador 10-1 in the group stage, but were beaten by hosts Canada in the next stage.
1991 World Cup: Did not qualify
1995 World Cup: Did not qualify
1999 World Cup: Did not qualify
2003 World Cup: Did not qualify
2007 World Cup: Did not qualify
2011 World Cup: Did not qualify
2015 World Cup: Round of 16
2019 World Cup: Did not qualify
Switzerland Women's football team players - key player & one to watch
Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti is of huge importance to Switzerland. She was named national team captain in 2019 and has plenty of club experience at the highest level from playing in both the WSL and the Champions League. She could also reach 100 international caps at the tournament.
Calm and composed on the ball and masterful at shielding the back four, she is a huge asset for Switzerland both in and out of possession. Walti enjoyed a particularly excellent second half of the 2021/22 WSL season with Arsenal.
Noelle Maritz may not grab the headlines for Switzerland, but the right back is as steady and dependable as they come. Tenacious and tough in the tackle, she'll give any winger a difficult time of it at Euro 2022.
Switzerland Women's football team manager
Greenland-born Danish coach Nils Nilsen has been in charge of Switzerland since 2018. He was previously a nominee for Best FIFA Women's coach in 2017 after leading Denmark to the final of that year's European Championship - a stunning run that saw the Danes eliminate an all-conquering Germany in the quarter finals.
Nilsen has worked in women's football since taking that Denmark job in 2013, while he briefly had an assistant role with China for the 2018 Under-20 World Cup before moving to Switzerland.
Did you know…
After securing Euro 2022 qualification, Switzerland won every remaining game that they played in 2021, making a perfect start to 2023 World Cup qualifying with six successive victories, 26 goals and only two conceded. Yet their 2022 has been a stark contrast, with no wins so far.
Women's Euro 2022 Switzerland fixtures & route to the Euro 2022 final
Portugal vs Switzerland
Date & time: Saturday 9 July, 17:00 (BST)
Venue: Leigh Sports Village
How to watch on TV: BBC iPlayer (UK)
Sweden vs Switzerland
Date & time: Wednesday 13 July, 17:00 (BST)
Venue: Bramall Lane
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)
Switzerland vs Netherlands
Date & time: Sunday 17 July, 17:00 (BST)
Venue: Bramall Lane
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)
Switzerland's easiest fixture is up first against Portugal, which at least gives them chance to build some momentum if they are to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages. Ultimately, however, that will rely on them upsetting either one of Sweden or Netherlands.
If the unthinkable happens and Switzerland do progress, finishing as runner-up in Group C would likely mean a quarter-final tie against France and a semi-final against Germany or Spain. The even more unlikely alternative by winning Group C would potentially be Italy followed by England, Spain or Germany in the knockouts.
Switzerland Women's Euro 2022 squad
Goalkeepers: Gaelle Thalmann (Real Betis), Seraina Friedli (FC Aarau), Livia Peng (FC Zurich).
Defenders: Eseosa Aigbogun (Paris FC), Luana Buhler (Hoffenheim), Viola Calligaris (Levante), Rahel Kiwic (FC Zurich), Noelle Maritz (Arsenal), Lara Marti (Bayer Leverkusen), Rachel Rinast (FC Cologne), Julia Stierli (FC Zurich), Nadine Riesen (FC Zurich)
Midfielders: Sandy Maendly (Servette FCCF), Sandrine Mauron (Eintracht Frankfurt), Geraldine Reuteler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Coumba Sow (Paris FC), Riola Xhemaili (SC Freiburg), Lia Walti (Arsenal)
Forwards: Ramona Bachman (PSG), Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (Barcelona), Svenja Folmli (SC Freiburg), Fabienne Humm (FC Zurich), Meriame Terchoun (FC Zurich)
Predicted finish - Group stage
Switzerland will have to pull off a significant shock if they are to progress beyond the group stage at the European Championships for the first time. Given that they are in the same group as two of the teams heavily fancied to go all the way, it just seems so improbable that they will.
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