Alisha Lehmann (foto: Uradni FB/TW/IG profil igralca)
Just days before Euro 2025 kicks off in Switzerland, the host nation’s women’s team suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Lucerne’s U-15 boys in a match they tried to keep secret.
Switzerland will host the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, but their final preparations have taken an embarrassing turn that was never meant to see the light of day.
In what was supposed to be a low-profile tune-up, the Swiss women’s national team played a training match against the U-15 boys team from Lucerne. The match, held behind closed doors in Nottwil on June 19, was split into three 30-minute periods, and according to Swiss newspaper Blick, the result was meant to remain confidential.
But the secret couldn’t be kept. Photos surfaced on Lucerne’s social media accounts, and comments beneath the images revealed the shocking scoreline: a 1-7 defeat for the senior women’s side. What was supposed to be a quiet test turned into a national embarrassment just days before the Euros begin on home soil.
"The girls from Lucerne have embarrassed our women's national team," wrote Blick. "This defeat, which was supposed to remain a secret, has come to light and is a huge humiliation."
Switzerland open the tournament on July 2 against Norway, and have one final warm-up fixture against the Czech Republic on June 26. The pressure is mounting to avoid further embarrassment before the home crowd.
Juventus winger Alisha Lehmann, Switzerland’s biggest star, was a doubt for the tournament but has since impressed coach Pia Sundhage. “Alisha impressed me during the preseason. She showed that she really wants to be a part of this team,” Sundhage said.
Another name to watch is Leila Wandeler, a 19-year-old defender from Olympique Lyon. Though she has never played for the senior national team, Sundhage praised her maturity and potential: “Leila deserves to be in this group. With her carefree attitude, she can still be very valuable to us.”
Third-choice goalkeeper Nadine Böhi is also still waiting for her senior debut. With the Euros looming, the Swiss squad must quickly regroup after this unwanted and embarrassing headline, hoping their true form shows when it matters most.