Host Switzerland has lost the opening game of the European Football Championship. In a dramatic game, the team of trainer Pia Sundhage lost 1: 2 (1-0) on Wednesday evening before 34,063 fans in Basel Norway and is already under pressure before the second game on Sunday against Iceland.
The Swiss federal people showed a convincing performance against their fear opponents. At the break, after a goal by left -back Nadine Riesen from Eintracht Frankfurt (28th), it had looked as if the “Nati” should finally succeed in winning the Scandinavian in the fifth duel with the Scandinavians.
After half -time, however, the Swiss people got themselves through individual dropouts for the reward for a very courageous appearance. Norway still made the encounter with a goal from Ada Hegerberg (54.) and an own goal of Julia Stierli (58.). Hegerberg even missed a penalty (70th).
She was a bit tired, said Hegerberg after the game in the ARD interview. “It is never easy to play with so many people in such a stadium. The mood was fantastic. We had 1,500 Norwegians in the stadium. That was really great.” The team was not satisfied with the first half: “It wasn’t good enough. We were bad in the defense and in the duels. That is a question of attitude”according to the 29-year-old. But she was “really proud of the girls because we fought well in the second half.”
The Swiss, on the other hand, struggled with the result. “I don’t think that we deserve to leave the pitch here as losers”said Géraldine Reuteler, striker of Eintracht Frankfurt, in the ARD interview. “We fought to the end and believed that we will still do the 2: 2. It is of course bitter that we didn’t do it.”
“We would have deserved more. We just didn’t do the goals. The luck was on your side. We can’t accuse ourselves of. Except that we were bad a few times at the back”Captain Lia Wälti also summed up in an interview with the “Swiss radio and television” (“SRF”).
Sundhage team not to recognize
After two years of sporty color, including two coaches and a number of personnel experiments on the field, Switzerland was only partially part of the favorite group before its premiere performance despite its host role in expert groups. Especially since the dress rehearsal of the “Nati” for the duel with the Norwegians against the male U15 selection of FC Lucerne failed at 1: 7. At least from the perspective of the neutral observers. Because apparently this embarrassing appearance brought valuable knowledge from the result.
In any case, the Swede sent a starting eleven on the lawn of the “Joggeli”, as the Baseler lovingly call the St. Jakob-Park, which convinced 100 percent from the start in terms of commitment, passion and tactical discipline. And football was also appealing to the idea of the Swiss federal people.
Giants rewarded Swiss people for great appearance
The Sundhage team under the eyes of the Swiss Federal President Karin Keller-Sutter and from Uefa boss Aleksander Čeferin dominance on the two-time European champion from the start. Again and again the hosts managed to tear the Norwegian defense apart by precise diagonal balls. The “Nati” consistently performed with its extremely offensive full -backs Iman Beney and giant her attacks over the wings.
Norway seemed surprised by this approach of the opponent. In any case, the European Championship with favorite was rare to prevent Swiss advances in good time. Initially, goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand and in a shot of the busy Géraldine Reuteler prevented the aluminum (24th) behind for the team of trainer Gemma Grainger.
But in the 28th minute, the Norwegian happiness was then used up: after another wisely attacked attack, giant moved from left and ensured with a right shot that rolled from the interior post over the line for the overdue 1: 0.
Norway disappointed across the board
A reaction from the Norwegians? There was no. At least not before the break whistle. In the first 45 minutes, the world champion of 1995 around his offensive stars Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen was lacking in the pace, ideas and punch in the last third of the field. And the work against the ball was not enough. In short: Norway played as you were able to fear before the kick -off from Switzerland after her weak preparation.
Peng error and Bull-owner Turn the game
A lot, actually everything, had to get better with the Scandinavians. And at least some things got better after the break. However, with the kind support of the hosts. Because in the header from Hegerberg to 1-1, the goalkeeper Livia Peng flew past a corner kick from Bust Risa, so that the striker only had to nod. And just four minutes later, Stierli banged a cross from Graham Hansen into his own stitches.
Hegerberg shoots penalty, Switzerland is not allowed to carry out a penalty
The game was turned upside down. Not because of a Norwegian performance explosion, but a Swiss dropout and a failed defense campaign. A misfortune rarely comes alone. Not in the case of Switzerland on this memorable evening in Basel anyway.
Further examples of this wisdom followed every minute. Initially, Reuteler underwent a handball in his own penalty area that referee Alina Peşu (Romania) sanctioned with a penalty. Hegerberg started and shot the ball past the housing on the left. In direct opposite, giants sank to the ground after a duel without physical contact with Mathilde Harviken. Peşu nevertheless pointed to the point.
But it did not occur. Because video assistant Dennis Higler from the Netherlands pointed out the referee that in front of the scene in the penalty area, which led to the penalty, had been offset by Alayah Pilgrim. Peşu consequently took back the penalty.
“Nati” fights in vain to compensate
The Sundhage team could not be demoralized. The Swiss people fought passionately for equalization, also had opportunities to 2-2, but in the end they stood empty -handed.
Next Sunday (9 p.m.) the hosts in Bern against Iceland are already under great pressure. Norway competes against Finland in Sion at 6 p.m. on the same day.