France, Norway and Iceland. The Nati knows the names of the selections it will face to prepare for Euro 2025, which begins on July 2 in Basel. The draw for the second edition of the Nations League, which begins next February, was made on Thursday. “They are opponents with different playing styles, which I think is something positive for us,” commented coach Pia Sundhage.
France remains an excellent memory for Swiss women. On October 29, they won 2-1 against Les Bleues – a first in 22 years – at the Stade de Genève, notably with a superb goal from Naomi Luyet. But confirming will be even harder, against a team that will be thirsty for revenge. “We will have to concentrate on their wingers,” the coach already warns.
The last meeting against the Norwegians ended in a goalless draw during the 2023 World Cup. Thanks to a heroic Gaëlle Thalmann, Switzerland managed to keep the favorites of group A in check. This duel will be very special for the Genevan Smilla Vallotto, who has both passports and has lived most of her life in Norway. Currently wearing the colors of Swedish club Hammarby IF, the 20-year-old midfielder distinguished himself by scoring the first hat-trick of his young career, during the 0-9 victory against Gamla Upsala (D2) in the round of 16 of Cut.
“Iceland is a very solid team, very combative, extremely competitive and with a lot of strong players,” summarizes Pia Sundhage. The two selections faced each other on April 11, 2023 in a friendly match in Zurich. The Nordiques won 1-2 against a team then led by Inka Grings. A great opportunity to measure how far we have come in two years.
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