Women's European Championship | Group Stage

Jul 6, 2025 at 8pm UK

Stadion Wankdorf (Bern)

Switzerland Women vs Iceland Women

Match preview

Switzerland would have been bitterly disappointed to start their home tournament with a defeat, especially since they had taken a slender lead into half-time on Wednesday against Norway.

However, Nadine Riesen's opener was cancelled out by Ada Hegerberg, and a Julia Stierli own goal handed Norway the lead before the hour mark.

Switzerland were given a reprieve when Hegerberg dragged her penalty wide in the 70^(th) minute, but they were unable to capitalise on that miss, failing to carve out a late equaliser.

Consequently, Switzerland know they must perform better in their next two games if they are to avoid a third consecutive group stage exit.

They know that defeat on Sunday will end their quarter-final hopes if Finland beats Norway in the other group game.

Switzerland's hopes of winning Sunday's match may be dampened by the fact that they have won only one of their last 10 games (D2, L7).

Iceland are battling to avoid a third consecutive group-stage exit after failing to secure a result in their opening tournament match against Finland.

The match was finely balanced when Hildur Antonsdottir was sent off in the 58^(th) minute for two bookable offences, giving Finland the advantage of an extra player for the rest of the match.

Iceland were unable to keep their opponents at bay and conceded in the 70^(th) minute, falling to a 1–0 defeat that extends their winless run at the European Championships to six matches.

Thorsteinn Halldórsson's team have won only one of their last 12 matches (D5, L6), a run of results that includes two Nations League matches against Sunday's opponents.

They played out a goalless away draw with Switzerland in February before fighting back from 3–1 down to rescue a 3–3 draw in April's return fixture.

Iceland will now be targeting a victory to boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 2013. They will also be aware that defeat would result in their elimination if Norway beat Finland.

Recent Performance

Switzerland Women Women's European Championship form: L

Iceland Women Women's European Championship form: L

Team News

Despite her team's loss to Norway, Pia Sundhage may opt to maintain the back five formation with Iman Beney, Viola Calligaris, Stierli, Noelle Maritz and Reisen.

Sydney Schertenleib of Barcelona is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after a promising substitute appearance in Wednesday’s defeat.

Smilla Vallotto is already treading a disciplinary tightrope after picking up a booking on matchday one, knowing that another yellow would result in a one-match suspension.

As for Iceland, Dagny Brynjarsdottir of West Ham United could replace Antonsdottir, who is suspended following her dismissal in the first group game.

Captain Glódís Vigúsdóttir is looking to prove her fitness after being forced off at half-time against Finland due to illness.

Ágla María Albertsdóttir came off the bench to play most of the second half on Wednesday, and is now pushing for a place in the front three against Switzerland.

Possible starting lineup

Switzerland Women possible starting lineup:

Peng; Beney, Calligaris, Stierli, Maritz, Reisen; Reuteler, Walti, Vallotto; Schertenleib, Xhemaili

Iceland Women possible starting lineup:

Runarsdottir; Arnadottir, Viggosdottir, Sigurdardottir, Arnardottir; Johanssdottir, Brynjarsdottir, Vilhjalmsdottir; Albertsdottir, Jonsdottir, Jensen