EURO 2025: Riola Xhemaili sends Switzerland into a frenzy of joy

"I still can't quite grasp how it all happened. My heart rate was probably at 200," said Riola Xhemaili after the final whistle. "It's a dream come true." With her goal to make it 1-1 against Finland in injury time (90th minute +2), the Swiss player with Kosovar roots prevented the hosts from being eliminated after the group stage of their European Championship . Instead, the Swiss women's soccer team is now among the top eight at a European Championship for the first time. They will face either Spain or Italy in the quarterfinals. "It's historic," said the Swiss national coach, the Swede Pia Sundhage, delighted.

Xhemaili scores substitute goal

"During the warm-up, I was already thinking: 'Pia, put me in, I feel good,'" said Xhemaili. "I knew I would score that goal." Sundhage substituted the 22-year-old in the 82nd minute. At that point, the Swiss were trailing 1-0 against Finland thanks to a penalty goal from Natalia Kuikka (79th minute); a loss would have meant elimination from the European Championship.

Ten minutes after entering the pitch, Xhemaili not only sent the 26,388 spectators in the stadium in Geneva into euphoria, but the whole of Switzerland: After a sharp cross from Géraldine Reuteler, she was in the right place and pushed the ball over the line into the Finnish goal from four meters.

Not enforced in Wolfsburg

It's likely a football fairytale for Xhemaili, too, as she's had a difficult time. After two good years at German Bundesliga club SC Freiburg, the Swiss player moved to top club VfL Wolfsburg in 2023. However, she was unable to establish herself there.

In 2024, Wolfsburg loaned Xhemaili to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. She made a name for herself: With 14 goals and six assists, she played a key role in PSV finishing runner-up behind FC Twente last season. The reward: Eindhoven converted the loan into a permanent contract for Xhemaili until 2028.

However, coach Sundhage gave her the cold shoulder for a long time in the Swiss national team. It wasn't until early June, in the Nations League match against Norway (0-1), that the attacking player made her first appearance for the national team this year – and finally made it into the European Championship squad.

With the twin brother in a team

Riola Xhemaili was born in Solothurn in 2003. Her parents immigrated to Switzerland from Kosovo – like many Kosovo Albanians. Many key players on the Swiss men's national team also have and had Kosovar roots, including Bundesliga stars Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka .

"My career began with volleyball, and it was a coincidence that I fell in love with soccer with all my heart," says Xhemaili. "That happened when I watched my twin brother [Rion Xhemaili - editor's note]. I saw him play with his good technique and fighting spirit." Initially, the twins trained together on a Solothurn children's team. Then their soccer paths diverged. Brother Rion now plays for the junior team of the Swiss first division club FC Winterthur.

Hate comments on social media

Riola Xhemaili made her debut for the Swiss national team in 2020. Because she chose to represent her country of birth rather than Kosovo, the footballer continues to face widespread hostility on social media.

She is regularly threatened and her family insulted, Xhemaili wrote on Instagram in August 2024: "I play for Switzerland to show that I am grateful to have grown up in such a great country." The Swiss international added: "My roots come from Kosovo. That will always remain the case and will never change. We should all share the same values ​​and not spread unnecessary hatred."