Norway also advances: Swiss women tremble into the European Championship quarter-finals

Norway is also through Swiss women tremble into the European Championship quarter-finals 10.07.2025, 23:41

The Swiss women's soccer team made it to the European Championship quarterfinals. Coach Pia Sundhage's team was already on the verge of elimination in Geneva – then injury time arrived. Norway advanced to the next round with a much more relaxed victory against bottom-placed Iceland.

Breathe deeply, the European Championship fairytale continues: The Swiss women's soccer team reached the quarterfinals of a European Championship for the first time in their home game. Coach Pia Sundhage's team squeaked to a 1-1 (0-0) draw against Finland in the decisive Group A match – the point earned in the final minutes was enough to advance. However, a clash with world champions Spain now looms in the round of eight.

"I still can't believe it," said Geraldine Reuteler of Eintracht Frankfurt on ZDF: "We're simply in the quarterfinals, it's an indescribable feeling. We've made history."

Riola Xhemaili, who had just come on as a substitute (90th+2), fired Switzerland into the knockout rounds. Natalia Kuikka had previously scored for Finland from the penalty spot (79th). Switzerland thus secured second place behind the already qualified Norway, who beat Iceland 4-3 (2-1) despite being outnumbered in the parallel match. Captain Lia Wälti's team now faces the winner of Group B, where Spain (6 points) leads Italy (4) and Portugal (1) after two dominant performances.

Norway turns down Iceland

In the battle for a second quarter-final spot, Finland put pressure on Switzerland from the very first minutes in Geneva. However, the hosts increasingly took control of the game, but initially failed to capitalize on their chances. The Finns held up well, and the game developed into a close contest. But even after the break, Switzerland proved too inefficient, and things turned bitter: Viola Calligaris brought down Emma Koivisto in the penalty area, and Kuikka coolly converted the penalty. But Xhemaili redeemed Switzerland.

While Switzerland had to tremble until the final whistle, Norway had already secured the group victory before the final matchday. The former world champions also showed no weakness against bottom-placed Iceland, who were eliminated without a point, in Thun. Doubles from Signe Gaupset (15th/26th) and Frida Maanum (49th/76th) secured the victory for the Norwegians, who played the final phase with a man down after Marit Bratberg Lund's second yellow card (90th).

Former Wolfsburg player Sveindis Jonsdottir (6th minute), Hlin Eiriksdottir (84th minute), and Munich's Glodis Viggosdottir (90th+5th minute/penalty) gave Iceland their first goals of this European Championship. Norway will face the runner-up in Group B in the knockout round.