Women’s Euro 2025: Why Lia Walti is so important for Switzerland | OneFootball

It wasn’t meant to be for Women’s Euro 2025 host nation Switzerland after a second half resurgence saw Norway claim a 2-1 win in Basel.

Despite the result, home fans will have left the stadium feeling proud of the heart shown by captain Lia Walti.

The 32-year-old, preparing to pull on the Switzerland kit for the third time at a Women’s European Championship, told the story of what hosting Euro 2025 truly means for these Swiss fans.

“It’s incredible,” Walti told the media ahead of the tournament’s opening day. “It’s something that when I started my national team career I was never picturing, I never thought that we would host a major tournament. Now I’m sitting here in Basel, so it’s extremely special for all of us.”

“Women’s football is growing world wide, extremely fast as well here in Switzerland, but we still have a lot of steps to go and we want to use this tournament to be positive role models and inspire the nation.”

The home nation faithful were bursting with pride when asked to speak about what the midfield maestro means for Swiss football. When asked about why Walti is so integral to this Swiss outfit, one fan answered simply: “She’s a Champions League winner!”

Swiss captain Walti shows heart in Basel

A shot from range in the 14th minute set the tone for Walti’s evening as she dictated the midfield with composure, fluidity, but most of all, heart. There is a reason why the Arsenal fans name her ‘Snake Hips’, as Walti skipped and swivelled past clusters of Norwegians with ease.

Although when Swiss defender Julia Stierli redirected the ball into the back of her own net to award Norway the lead in the 58th minute, Walti ran to the dugout to receive treatment on her right hamstring that heavily strapped. The midfielder was already carrying a worrying knee issue heading into the tournament, but refused to give up the chance to lead her nation out in front of the home fans.

Switzerland now left with a mountain to climb in Group A

Elsewhere in Group A, Finland secured a 1-0 victory over Iceland in Thun thanks to 70th minute winner from Katariina Kosola. With wins secured for both Norway and Finland already, the host nation will need to dig deep in order to book themselves a spot in the knockout stages.

The host nation will be provided an opportunity to shoot up the standings this Sunday July 6, as the side travel to Bern to face winless Iceland.