On Friday, the Swiss women will face Turkey in the European Championship qualifiers. After the unnecessary defeat against Hungary, coach Pia Sundhage's team wants to get back on track.
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- Switzerland has already qualified for Euro 2025, but is still playing in the qualifiers.
- After four games, the national team is top of the group with Turkey, Hungary and Azerbaijan with nine points. A win against Turkey would secure them top spot in the group ahead of time.
- Two games remain. On Friday, the national team will play Turkey (7.30 pm), followed by Azerbaijan next Tuesday (7.00 pm).
A win in the away game in Izmit would secure Switzerland group victory ahead of time. Should Hungary fail to pick up three points in the parallel match against Azerbaijan, even a draw would be enough. This would be of secondary importance for the European Championship, as Switzerland have qualified as hosts anyway. However, the result also counts for the Nations League, in which the national team is aiming to return to the A-League.
And anyway: for Switzerland, it's all about feeling good one year before the home European Championships (July 2 to 27). After a good start with three wins from three games, this has recently been lost somewhat. The Swiss lost 1-0 away to Hungary, not undeservedly, with Ramona Bachmann hitting the post with a penalty in stoppage time. They must now respond to this setback.
No problems in the first leg
Although the Turks are only three points behind Switzerland, they themselves slipped up in their last match. Turkey lost 0:1 against Azerbaijan, who had been winless until then, and thus failed to draw level with Switzerland on points. However, the two home games were won.
Switzerland had no trouble in the first leg, winning 3:1 in front of a good 5,000 fans in Zurich, with defenders Viola Calligaris, who scored twice, and Luana Bühler making the difference. If the attacking players had been just as efficient, the result would have been even clearer.
Two absentees at short notice
In the build-up to the match, two Swiss players were ruled out through injury. Lyon player Leila Wandeler, who had been called up for the senior national team for the first time, had to withdraw due to hip problems. Aurélie Csillag of FC Basel was ruled out due to an ankle injury. Naomi Luyet (YB) and Lia Kamber (Lucerne), who were called up as supplementary players, were therefore definitely included in the squad for the upcoming matches.
After the away game in Turkey, the qualifiers will conclude on Tuesday (19:00) with a home game against Azerbaijan. The venue is the Stade de la Pontaise in Lausanne.
SDA
