Switzerland
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Article summary
At the fifth time of asking Switzerland have made it to these finals, held annually on their own home soil in Nyon.
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Article body
Switzerland is the location for the annual UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship in Nyon but until now the 'home' nation had never qualified. But Brigitte Steiner's side showed their intent with 36 goals in three first qualifying round wins, then in the next stage scored twice in added time to hold hosts Belgium 3-3. After that, 1-0 victories against past semi-finalists Iceland and England took them through.
Steiner, who deploys a straight 4-4-2 formation, with playmaker Carmen Pulver helping get the best out of prolific striker Sabrina Ribeaud and the pacy Aline Stöckli, said: "France are a strong side, but if we play like we did in qualifying, I can see we have a good chance."
First qualifying round: Georgia 17-1, Latvia 15-0, Poland 2-1 (Group 1 winners)
Second qualifying round: Belgium 3-3, Iceland 1-0, England 1-0 (Group 1 winners)
Key players
Carmen Pulver (midfielder, Grasshopper-Club), Aline Stöckli (midfielder, BSC Young Boys), Sabrina Ribeaud (forward, FC Basel 1893)
Coach: Brigitte Steiner
Date of Birth: 28 September 1981
Nationality: Swiss
Playing career: SC Schwyz
Coaching career: SC Schwyz, SK Root, FC Luzern, SC Zug 94, Switzerland Women's U19 (assistant), Switzerland Women's U17
The youngest of any of Switzerland's national-team coaches, former Schwyz player and women's U19 assistant coach Steiner was appointed at the start of July 2011, with the 30-year-old promptly leading her side to the finals for the first time.
Team records
Qualifying top scorer
Sabrina Ribeaud: 9
UEFA European Women's U17 Championship best
First qualification