Switzerland left it late but ensured a place in the quarter finals thanks to a stoppage time equaliser from Riola Xhemaili.
Switzerland welcomed Finland to Stade de Genève with only one thing on their mind, a place in the next round. Helmarit were intent on being terrible house guests and spoiling the party for their hosts. Marko Saloranta’s side knew that a victory would send them through to the quarter finals instead of the hosts. Switzerland only needed to avoid defeat to confirm their place in the next round.
There was no changes for either side following Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over Iceland and Finland’s 2-1 defeat to Norway on match day two. Linda Sällström started her tenth match at a major tournament for Finland the first Finnish player, male or female to ever do so.
The Line ups
FIN: Koivunen, Tynnilä, Nyström, Kuikka, Koivisto; Kosola, Summanen, Siren, Öling, Sevenius, Sällström
SUI: Peng; Riesen, Maritz, Stierli, Calligaris, Beney; Vallotto, Wälti, Reuteler; Fölmli, Schertenleib
The Action
Cow bells rang out across the stadium to welcome both sides onto the pitch in Geneva. Two anthems wrought with emotion echoed around the stadium with one side unaware that it would be the last time they sung it at this Euro 2025.
Finland started with attacking intent but Switzerland soon gave them cause to drop off with a blistering counter attack that just fizzled out. La Nati were pressing high up the pitch and Finland were misplacing passes and struggling to deal with the tactic early on.
Switzerland’s first real chance came with excellent running from Nadine Riesen who drove into the box on the left. She cut the ball back to Svenja Fölmli who controlled before finding Noelle Maritz whose shot was brilliantly blocked.
Switzerland should have been ahead on ten minutes when a dead ball cross from Sydney Schertenleib was expertly delivered into the box. It was nodded down to centre back Viola Calligaris who attempted the spectacular but was unable to connect with her attempted bicycle kick from six yards out.
Schertenleib was in on the action again shortly after, stinging the palms of Anna Koivunen with a swerving effort from distance. From the resulting loose ball Switzerland whipped it back into the box but Fölmli’s intelligent flick whistled past the post. Once they had a chance to breathe Finland settled into the match and almost scored with their first attempt on goal.
From a corner the ball was struck deep into the box by Eveliina Summanen to the back post and unmarked was Oona Sevenius. Sevenius’ header was fumbled after a deflection on its way towards Livia Peng in the Swiss goal. A scramble ensued in the box but Switzerland were able to get the ball clear.
One of the stars of the Swiss show so far in this tournament, Géraldine Reuteler, almost took the lead for the hosts on the thirty minute mark. Schertenleib once again in the thick of it, found Reuteler who clipped her shot just wide of the far post.
At the other end, Riesen made a vital challenge with minutes remaining in the first half. Emma Koivisto stormed forward and a deflected pass saw the ball bounce in behind and into her path but Riesen, alert as ever, slid in with an inch perfect challenge to direct the ball away.
Not long after, Finland would have had the lead if not for a wonderful reaction save from new Chelsea signing Peng. A dangerous ball into the box, ricocheted off Lia Wälti before bouncing off Eva Nyström unpredictably goal ward. Peng dropped down expertly to her right to stop it.
At half time Leila Wandeler and was introduced as well as Swiss all time top goal scorer Ana-Maria Crnogorčević. After a slow start to the second half we were forced to wait for the first shot on target of the half. It did not arrive until after the hour mark when Wälti worked the ball wide to Smilla Vallotto who fired right at Koivunen. Tempers were threatening to boil over after a strong challenge from Wälti on Summanen saw the Tottenham midfielder return the favour, sans ball on her Arsenal counterpart.
Jutta Rantala was introduced from the bench as Finland found their way into final roll of the dice territory. However Switzerland were the side threatening to break the deadlock. Wandeler roared forward with pace before her cross found Vallotto who could only direct her header above the bar. But with just fourteen minutes remaining, disaster struck for Switzerland. After seemingly ushering the danger away Calligaris inexplicably fouled Emma Koivisto in the box. Katariina Kosola stepped up and calmly slotted home from the penalty spot for Finland. Que jubilation for the Finland faithful out in Geneva.
Switzerland attempted to push for the equaliser that would put them through to the next round. Riola Xhemaili skied the ball over from a free kick in a dangerous area. Vallotto found a ball into the box just before stoppage time but Crnogorčević’s header was high and wide and Alisha Lehmann cut inside and shot but her effort was straight at the goalkeeper.
Xhemaili would have another chance and with just a few minutes remaining La Nati got their winner. Crnogorčević made a smart pass inside to Reuteler whose cross come shot found the feet of Xhemaili who slotted the ball home. Now it was the hosts turn at utter jubilation.
Finland had a succession of free kick opportunities with everyone including their goalkeeper up in the box in the final moments but they could not find the goal they craved.
Switzerland’s youth gamble pays off
Last week when Switzerland defeated Iceland it was the first time two teenagers assisted goals in the same European Championships match. That has helped demonstrate the quality of the youth that Pia Pundhage has put her faith in this summer. Alayah Pilgrim, Iman Beney, Leila Wandeler, Sydney Schertenleib and Livia Peng are all evidence that the future is bright for Switzerland.
But it was another young player Riola Xhemaili who got the all important goal that secures their future in the tournament. Xhemaili bounced back from being dropped after the opening match demonstrating wonderful character to put the ball in the Finland net and book a quarter final spot. At times tonight the Switzerland youngsters showed their age with immature decision making. However with experienced heads like captain Lia Wälti’s to level them out the hope is they can continue to progress in the competition.
Finland prove the doubters wrong
Even if Finland did not make it in the end, they proved so many wrong. Finland were bottom seeds in this group and many predicted they would finish rock bottom of the group. However Finland have been one of the tournament’s biggest surprises with three positive performances. Their ability from set pieces has impressed and they have reminded Europe of their quality as a women’s football nation. Summanen and Siren have played wonderfully in the midfield together and they are unfortunate to be headed home.
If they can continue to improve they have every reason to feel hopeful for the future.
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Riola Xhemaili
Xhemaili may have only been on the pitch for eight minutes but the Swiss winger made the difference. The host nation have her to thank for their place in the next round.
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