Big fan marches, record crowds and huge euphoria surrounding the Swiss national team - the European Championship in Switzerland exceeded expectations. SFA General Secretary Robert Breiter wants to take the momentum with him.
Last Sunday, the thrilling home European Championship came to an end with the grand final between England and Spain. This leaves SFA General Secretary Robert Breiter with mixed feelings. "Waking up from a dream is hard, even when it has become reality," said Breiter at the association's media conference.
However, his conclusion was positive throughout: "It was a fantastic tournament, a summer fairytale. A unique groove and a wonderful vibe full of joy and enthusiasm. We had sold-out stadiums, saw great football and had an outstanding team in England as European champions."
Tournament director Doris Keller expressed similar sentiments: "We worked for two years for this. Everything turned out even better than we imagined," says Keller, adding: "It was always important to us that we organize a summer festival - for the Swiss and foreign guests."
The very best advertising
It works, not least because Switzerland is the perfect venue for the European Championship tournament. "With its short distances, Switzerland was exactly the right country at the right time for this tournament," says Breiter. "We surprised everyone, including ourselves. We have done the very best advertising for our country and for women's football. We can proudly say that we backed the right horse."
For Breiter, however, the path we have taken does not end with the end of the tournament: "Now we are even more challenged. True to the motto: Here to stay. We have to work together to ensure that the success of this tournament can be carried into the future."
Doubling the number of licenses by 2027
Breiter knows that Switzerland and the SFA cannot rest on the success of this European Championship, but that the interest and attention that this major event has generated in recent weeks must be used to advance women's football in this country in the long term. "We have to use the long leverage that this tournament gives us to raise women's football and the position of women in society in general to a new level," he says. In this respect, Switzerland should also take inspiration from England, where a lot of investment was made in 2022 after the Lionesses won their first European Championship title in order to benefit from the euphoria of the tournament.
Measures are planned at all levels in the SFA to ensure that this can also be achieved in Switzerland. Breiter is talking about both the national team and the league. However, it is important to the General Secretary not to lose sight of grassroots football. By 2027, the number of licensed girls and women playing football should have doubled from 40,000 to 80,000. "A broader base also helps the top level," says Breiter. "But we are challenged. Now more than ever."
