Von Siebenthal sets out Swiss agenda
Tuesday 22 September 2009
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Switzerland began 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying in promising fashion with a 2-0 home victory over the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, but they face a tough test in Russia when their bid continues on Wednesday. uefa.com caught up with coach Béatrice von Siebenthal to discuss her goals for the campaign, UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ in Finland and the recent development of women's football in Switzerland that has seen club sides forge links with male Super League teams.
uefa.com: How do you rate Switzerland's chances of qualifying for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany?
We have been paired with two opponents in Russia and Ireland who are ranked higher than us but we aim high and want to take first place in our group. If we manage to perform bravely we can go places, because there is quality in our side. It will be my task to free the players of some of the pressure which they are putting on themselves. If we get four points from [our first] two matches I will be very pleased. It would be a dream to win six points, but we have to take it one match at a time.
Would World Cup qualification take women's football in Switzerland to a new level?
That would surely help. It was important that our U19s reached the semis in the European Championship [in July] and thus qualified for the U-20 World Cup. Such success is immensely important for Swiss women's football, as it shows that we are doing good work. While we are competitive at youth level, the senior team still has problems competing with the top nations.
More and more Swiss footballers are playing abroad now – this has to be a good thing for the national team?
This is a good development. Eight players now play abroad and this underlines the quality in our development, because all of them are still young. This step is a new challenge for those players; they are leaving familiar surroundings and have to assert themselves. This helps the national team, as these players have high goals and bring that attitude with them when they play for us.
Meanwhile, the national league has likewise received a boost.
This development is also important as it sends a message. It makes a difference if the players play for Young Boys, FC Basel or Grasshopper-Club – this brings added significance. Thanks to some mergers and improved cooperation, our internationals can now train with the men, as they are now based at the same club.
You were a member of the UEFA Technical Team during UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ in Finland. What were your impressions of that tournament?
A lot of the progress seen there still lies ahead for Switzerland. The technical level of this tournament was very good, as was the passing of the top teams. The players are a lot quicker than they were and the quality of crossing has improved. Also, the physical level was very even between the teams. Those are trends we need to tell our players about. We tell them what they have to work on to reach that level one day. We have a lot to do.
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