Women’s Euro 2025 in Bern

The Swiss women’s national football team felt the pressure ahead of the European Championships. After seven consecutive games without a win, they also failed to defeat Norway in the Nations League – relegation from the A division was inevitable. But there was no time for self-pity: the Women’s Euro in their home country was just around the corner. 

2 July 2025: the time has come. Switzerland plays its opening match in Basel’s St Jakobspark – against Norway, of all teams. But what’s different for this game: over 30,000 fans dressed in red and white are there to cheer them on. Nadine Riesen scores early – the perfect start. But Norway counters twice in the second half. Not the outcome that everyone had hoped for. Game two: The match in Wankdorf Stadium is tough and high in interruptions. Then, finally: Géraldine Reuteler puts Switzerland in the lead after 76 minutes. Shortly before the end, Alayah Pilgrim increases to 2-0 – the crowd goes wild! One win, one defeat: the Swiss are fighting for a place in the quarterfinals in their third match. Over 26,000 people are on the edges of their seats in Stade de Genève. A 0-0 draw would be enough. But Finland scores a penalty in the 79th minute. Time is running out against Switzerland’s national team. The seven minutes of added time are seven minutes of pure suspense. The Swiss attack – Finland blocks. But then: Reuteler shoots, Riola Xhemaili positions her foot just right – goooal! The roaring from the audience can be heard all the way to the federal city. The Swiss have reached the quarterfinals for the first time ever – 2 July 2025 will go down in football history!

The Swiss national team plays in the federal city for the second time in this European Championship. Before the top match, the masses flock to the streets: over 25,000 people join the fan march through Bern to Wankdorf Stadium – a world record! All over the country, people come together to watch the game and cheer on the Swiss team. For 65 minutes, Switzerland is living the dream and victory seems within reach. The wake-up call comes after 90 minutes: the Spanish live up to their role as favourites and win the game 2-0 thanks to the goals by Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Pina. No fairytale ending for Switzerland after all, but our players took the hearts of an entire nation by storm.

The day after the national team’s journey in the Women’s Euro ended, Bern welcomed our heroines of this European Championship. Despite pouring rain, hundreds of people gathered in front of the stage on Bundesplatz and showered every single player and the coaching team with applause. There was celebrating and dancing, as well as moving speeches. The message was clear: women’s football deserves a big stage. The images from this past Women’s Euro in Switzerland prove it. And Bern is proud to have been a part of it.