Zahno issues rallying cry

Simone Zahno has the responsibility of captaining the host nation at the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship in Switzerland, and that duty will be no more onerous than this evening when her side take on France for a place in the semi-finals.

Swiss belief
The Swiss defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in their Group B opener but fell 2-1 to holders Russia on Thursday, meaning they may need victory against France, who have won both their matches so far. Zahno is optimistic. "France are already close to qualifying and that gives a chance to the Swiss team, maybe they will not put out their best team," she told uefa.com. "We believe we can win."

Russian strengths
Zahno is in her second finals - last year she helped Switzerland to fifth place and 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup qualification - but the midfielder and set-piece specialist is still learning, including from Russia who came from behind to win in Schaffhausen. "We scored early and hoped to get through," Zahno said. "But we didn't and now we are disappointed. Quick passing between players was the strength of the Russian team."

Rallying cry
If Zahno can lead the Swiss through, her dream of lifting the trophy on Saturday will remain alive. "Of course it is an honour to be the captain - but it is the team that counts and results, not individuals," she stresses, while calling for a big turn-out of fans at 7pm today in Wil. "We hope it will be like this on Sunday for the final game, the important game, it motivates us to have the public behind us."

Coming force
Switzerland have not previously been a force in women's football, but their recent performances at U19 level suggest that is changing. Zahno said: "There is a football school and this centre is really helping women's football in Switzerland. We already have players in the senior team and the players who have been educated and trained there are doing well. In the coming years Swiss women's football will rise to the top."