Switzerland’s hopes for a wining start to their home EUROs were dashed after losing 2-1 to two-time winners Norway.
Nadine Riesen had given the home fans a dream start when she smashed home a loose ball in the Norwegian penalty area. But, a header from Ada Hegerberg and an own goal from defender Julia Stierli saw the game turn on its head at the start of the second half.
A chaotic five-minute spell followed when both sides were awarded penalties. However, neither were converted, and Norway were able to fend off a late Swiss flurry to spoil their big opening night.
The Lineups
SUI: Peng, Riesen, Maritz, Stierli, Calligaris, Beney, Vallotto, Wälti, Ivelj, Xhemaili, Reuteler
NOR: Fiskerstrand, Lund, Hansen, Mjelde, Bjelde, Engen, Bøe Risa, Reiten, Graham Hansen, Maanum, Hegerberg
La Nati start brightly in Basel
Switzerland’s main avenue of attack was the flanks. They set their stall out within the first minute, with Beney winning a corner through her overlapping run. Reisen then had an opportunity to get the ball in the area after a good switch of play, but Mjelde was across quickly to defend.
Norway’s opportunities were limited. Caroline Graham Hansen had a few moments down the left, but couldn’t find anyone to connect with her wide deliveries. Hegerberg briefly looked to have got clean through the Swiss defence, but was denied by a well-timed lunging tackle from Noelle Maritz, and the offside flag.
It was a rare moment of jeopardy for Switzerland to contend with. The chances began to flow freely for them, and Wälti and Reuteler both took pot shots from range. The former stung the palms of Fiskerstrand, the latter the frame of the goal.
The woodwork may have denied the Swiss, but it was their friend when Riesen made another charge down the left. When the ball came back to her in the box, the strike bounced off the near post, rolled over the line, and in.
Norway come back from behind
Norway needed a response after an apathetic first half, and they got it from their talismanic striker, Hegerberg. The captain thumped home a free header from a corner ten minutes into the second half.
Three minutes later, and the rug had been pulled from under Switzerland’s feet. Hansen’s tantalising low cross was met by a despairing lunge by Stierli, who could only divert the ball into her own net. It could have been 3-1 soon after, when Hegerberg ran through again. This time, it was Peng who foiled her, storming out quickly.
Then, five minutes of penalty madness saw both sides awarded spot kicks, only for neither to be scored. Hegerberg rolled her effort wide after Reuteler was spotted to have handled in the penalty area. Switzerland were gifted their own chance from 12-yards, but had the opportunity chalked off when VAR spotted an offside.
Switzerland pushed forward in desperation, trying to get the equaliser their performance warranted. Reuteler had the chance to do just that when she latched onto Schertenleib’s defence-splitting pass, but her effort deflected over. At the other end, substitute Bizet raced onto a long pass over the top. Whilst her lobbed effort defeated Peng, it failed to float into the net.
Unfortunately, time ran out for Switzerland. Their hopes for a winning start for their summer party were dashed, as Norway took all the points and breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Switzerland show promise despite defeat
The strength of a tournament can often ride on the success of the home nation performing it. A good start is therefore crucial, and Switzerland would have been thanking their lucky stars that they drew a Norwegian side that had lost to the host nation in their last four major tournaments.
From the off, Switzerland were the instigators, the proactive force. They provided a vibrant attacking threat, backed by the 34,063 strong crowd. The wing-backs of Riesen and Beney carved Norway open time and time again. It came as no surprise that the lead came from Riesen, capitalising on indecision within the Norwegian defence.
For Switzerland, the main frustration is that for all their good play, the manner in which the result was snatched from them was self-inflicted. Norway’s strength at set pieces are well documented, yet they contrived to allow Hegerberg a free run at the corner. It was a chance that a forward of her talent and experience was never going to miss. The winning goal was scored by them through a defensive error, and they failed to put Norway under enough pressure to equalise. Whilst there were plenty of positives for them to take away for the rest of the tournament, it was the points they wanted, and it was the points they lost.
Norway get out of jail
For all of Norway’s heritage in the Euros, they have failed to get beyond the group stage in the last two editions of the tournament. On this evidence, it was very clear to see why.
Gemma Grainger is the latest manager looking to restore glory to the side. But, in the first half, they were no different to what had come before. Norway are a team stacked with talent and experience, but they are also a side that reeks of individualism. They are a side with no cohesion. Hansen’s crosses to no-one epitomised a team that lacked chemistry in their star-studded forward line.
This lack of chemistry also stretched to the defence. Norway’s stubborn refusal to engage the wing backs, combined with their passive approach to defending, gifted their opponents time and space. It came as no surprise not just that the goal arrived, but the source of the initial threat.
Despite a wretched first half, it is Norway who have come away with three valuable points, aided by an own goal and an offside call. They could even afford the luxury of a Hegerberg penalty miss. Grainger’s side got lucky this time. This unconvincing win was one gifted by a mad four minute spell at the start of the second half, against an opponent who ran out of gas after 70 minutes and couldn’t muster a second wind.
This luxury will not be afforded to them again, as they hope to progress deeper into the tournament.
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