Decisive showdown at Wankdorf Stadium
On 6 July 2025, the iconic Wankdorf Stadium in Bern will host one of the most anticipated matches of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 group stage. After a false start in the opening round, both the tournament hosts – Switzerland – and their opponents from distant Iceland desperately need points to stay in the hunt for the quarter-finals.
The stakes could not be higher – this will be a duel full of emotion, determination and sporting drama. The second match is a strategic turning point in the tournament: both teams lost in the first round and must fight for points, otherwise their chances of advancing will be very slim. Victory means not only three points, but also enormous psychological comfort before the last group encounter.
Switzerland vs Iceland – previous meetings
The Icelanders broke their barren run against Switzerland in 2023, recording their first-ever 2-0 victory in a friendly. Since then, they have remained unbeaten in head-to-head clashes. A 0-0 draw in February 2025 in the UEFA Nations League, however, showed that the two sides are very evenly matched and that small details can tip the outcome.
Switzerland – hosts under pressure
The hosts are counting on improvement against Iceland, especially as coach Inka Grings can call upon stars such as Nadine Riesen (Eintracht Frankfurt) and the gifted captain Lia Wälti (Arsenal). Sydney Schertenleib, who made a good impression on her tournament debut, may also feature. An attacking 4-3-3 formation is expected and, in tougher moments, the hosts can switch to 4-4-2.
Iceland – dangerous outsiders
The Icelanders can boast equally stable – yet unimpressive – form (only 13 % wins). Their problem is a passive defence that allows opponents a large number of shots.
In the Iceland squad, the key figure is Agla María Albertsdóttir, an extremely dynamic player operating on the left flank. In a 4-3-3 setup that flexibly shifts to a more defensive 4-1-4-1, coach Thorsteinn Halldorsson’s team will rely primarily on set pieces and long throw-ins, which can cause any team plenty of problems.
Both teams face a pivotal moment. The winner of this encounter will stay in the race for a place among Europe’s top eight, while the loser will almost certainly bid farewell to medal dreams. Let not their poor form in recent months mislead us – determination, top-class players and high stakes portend a spectacular show.
The match will be widely broadcast – in the United Kingdom it will be shown on ITV and BBC, and in the USA on FOX Sports. For online viewers, streaming will also be available via the BBC iPlayer or FOX Sports app.
