Swiss coach Sundhage said historic tournament run about more than winning games

BERN, Switzerland :While upstart Switzerland's dream run at the Women's European Championship run came to an end on Friday in a 2-0 quarter-final loss to world champions Spain, a proud coach Pia Sundhage and her players celebrated as if it was a victory.

In many ways it was.

Sundhage's team had already made history by making the knockout round of a major tournament for the first time, and then treated the sellout crowd to a spirited showing, diligently holding off the world's best for more than an hour.

"I've been in the football game since I was a little kid, and the fact that it has changed (in Switzerland), people are more interested in the women's game than they were a year-and-a-half ago, that's the thing you love to see happening," Sundhage said.

"We lost the game, but I think we gained a lot. Football is so much more than a gold medal."

Sundhage was hired in January 2024 to improve the national team ahead of hosting Euro 2025, and she walked off the pitch on Friday with the crowd chanting her name.

"I think that's cool. When people shouted my name, I feel they are shouting women's football," the 65-year-old said. "They know my name to begin with, and I'm coaching women's football."

The Spanish players held a guard of honour for their opponents.

"I want to congratulate Switzerland, it has been amazing, we are playing in stadiums full of people, we see streets full of people coming to the games," said Spain's Aitana Bonmati.

"It's something unique that we are living and we wanted to thank them for that."

Euro 2025 continues to smash attendance records, with a women's Euros best 78,407 fans - including 29,734 on Friday - attending the quarter-finals, with one game still to go on Saturday.

Switzerland hopes hosting the