Soul care before the start of the European Championship: The Swiss women's football team scores four goals – without Lia Wälti

The moment of recognition couldn't have been better. Actually, the small Schützenwiese stadium is packed, red and white everywhere, lots of children, beautiful weather, and less hot than in recent days. The setting is perfect. Before the friendly against the Czech Republic, the Swiss Football Association is commemorating the 125 international matches played by 32-year-old Lia Wälti. Captain, central figure, before the home European Championship, she's featured on television, in the media, and in all kinds of PR programs.

But Wälti has to be found first for the honor. She's neither on the pitch nor on the bench. That's the surprise of the evening, after at least a partial appearance had been promised the day before. But Wälti, who had recently trained with a taped knee, is clearly not fit enough – and this six days before the home European Championship, for which the Emmental native is the most famous Swiss face. "That's your applause, Lia," says the announcer. But the lauded Lia Wälti is staying away from the game, having to miss the dress rehearsal for the European Championship.

She was replaced as captain in the first half by Noelle Maritz. After the match, Maritz described it as a "nice feeling," but added that "we're all happy to have Lia back." Asked about Wälti and the European Championship, Smilla Vallotto, one of the four goalscorers, said succinctly and without delay: "She'll play." National coach Pia Sundhage is also optimistic, even though it's rare for key players to make their comebacks at the start of a final tournament.

Sundhage says that although Wälti had recently trained with the team, they agreed before the match that she would not participate. "We didn't want to take too many risks, and now she has a few more days until the European Championships." Nothing illustrates Wälti's undisputed position and value more than the words of the experienced coach.

Such personnel issues give food for thought. Apparently, the risk of playing Wälti would have been too great. But what will it be like on July 2, when the Swiss women's tournament begins in Basel's St. Jakob-Park? Wälti's case isn't the only uncertainty in the Swiss team. The leader's total absence led to Noemi Ivelj taking charge of the match against the Czech Republic. Ivelj finished runner-up in the Women's Super League with Grasshopper Club and is now moving to Frankfurt. But Ivelj is only 18 years old. She played a good match against the Czech Republic.

The evening served as a pick-me-up for the recently battered Swiss women's team. After eight games without a win, they won again, albeit against a team that was behind them in the FIFA world rankings. And most importantly, they scored again: four goals, all scored by four players (Vallotto, Riola Xhemaili, Géraldine Reuteler, Svenja Fölmli). And this after having scored only four times in a very long run without a win, plunging them into self-doubt.

19-year-old Leila Wandeler also nearly scored a goal on her international debut, but the ball bounced off the post and back onto the pitch in the closing stages. As a newcomer, Wandeler made the surprise jump to the Euros.

Seen in this light, the final test fulfilled its purpose; things aren't quite so dire for the Swiss team. A few goals for self-confidence, in times when even a friendly against a men's U-15 team (1:7) is brought to the surface by the media and discussed with strange seriousness. Despite the soothing effect in Winterthur, it goes without saying that the opening match of the European Championship against Norway in front of 35,000 spectators will be a completely different affair. It's unthinkable what the situation would be like without Wälti at the center.

While the question mark surrounding Wälti hasn't diminished, uncertainties in defense appear to be clearing up. National coach Pia Sundhage once again selected Livia Peng in goal, leading to the conclusion that the Graubünden native will guard Switzerland's European Championship goal, after the somewhat older Elvira Herzog was recently named the No. 1. Peng had raised doubts, primarily due to a hair-raising error in the 4-0 Nations League match against France. She remained flawless against the Czech Republic.

In contrast to Wälti, defender Luana Bühler, recently injured, will be substituted on Thursday. The 29-year-old from Wolhusen plays for Tottenham Hotspur. She is considered to play an important role when discussing the stability of the defense. A defense that has conceded 20 goals in its last nine matches. That's no match for the finals, even if it's worth remembering that before the last European Championship in England in 2022, Switzerland had a consecutive five matches without a win and a goal difference of 1:16.