Fabienne Humm shoots Switzerland to the World Cup

The months of truth in Swiss women’s football got off to a promising start on Tuesday evening in the Letzigrund. In a nerve-wracking match, the Swiss defeated Wales and secured participation in the World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand next summer.

The 2-1 victory after extra time over world number 30 Wales was not for the gallery, the Swiss struggled for a long time. Once again it became clear how big the gap to the world leaders had become – Wales had been lucky to lose, it was the only team left in the play-off that was not represented at the European Championships in England in the summer. Like a year and a half ago in the European Championship play-off against the Czech Republic, the Swiss women had a lot of trouble against destructive opponents who acted on the border of unsportsmanlike. Again they had to make up a deficit. And again they prevailed in the end. That’s what counts. The style mark cannot matter for a nation that has only qualified once for a World Cup before.

Humm as the perfect match winner in this tough duel

In the 121st minute, Fabienne Humm shot Switzerland into luck. Humm, 35, is a striker at FC Zurich and works full-time as a logistics clerk. She had actually resigned from the national team in 2017, only coach Nils Nielsen persuaded her to make a comeback. When she travels with the national team, she often has to use her vacation days. That’s a reality in the national team, even in 2022. Humm’s story is one of deprivation and tenacity. She was the perfect match winner for that hard-fought win.

For a long time, the Swiss women made life difficult for themselves. They missed the best chances, missed a penalty and had to deal with the neck blows of two denied hits.

For a long time it seemed as if the Swiss women knew about their great burden. Because there was a lot at stake in the Letzigrund; a lot depends on the World Cup, more than with the men. In women’s football, every franc is fought for attention, licenses, funds for youth development, sponsors and partners. It makes a world of difference being in a finals. If only because the participation bonus in Oceania alone is one million francs.

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) is currently looking for a new director for women’s football and a new coach. Prospects improved significantly on Tuesday, jobs have become more attractive. The game had also shown once again what potential the division has in Switzerland. 7,803 spectators, that’s a respectable number of spectators for a Tuesday evening, especially given the conspicuously familiar crowd in Swiss women’s football. And a sphere that until recently seemed out of reach for the national team. The number of licensed players has grown to 33,216, up from less than 30,000 last year. These are small, gentle steps forward. A loss to Wales would have threatened to wipe them out.

The association is committed to promoting the delicate plant of women’s football. But he has yet to prove how serious he is about it. Especially when director Tatjana Haenni, who is emigrating to the USA, no longer insists and warns. Your position is much more difficult to fill – there are enough trainers. But the question is also whether the SFV has the courage to use such an uncomfortable, demanding champion. It would be important, because there is enough to toast, regardless of whether Switzerland is awarded the EM 2025 in January. The national league urgently needs professionalization, it needs funding programs, ideas, creativity.

The coach Nielsen has fulfilled the target

The win also meant a happy ending for outgoing national coach Nils Nielsen, who is returning home. Nielsen’s record, 50, doesn’t read overwhelmingly. In twelve games under his leadership this year, only two wins after 90 minutes. But he says goodbye with two finals qualifications and the certainty that he has fulfilled the target. It is not yet clear whether Nielsen will continue to look after the team when they next move in a few weeks. After this emotional Tuesday evening, the association should be a little more relaxed about the coming weeks.

The Swiss even needed support on Tuesday to avoid having to face the penalty of the intercontinental play-off in February. It’s a mode that only an organization like Uefa can dream up, an association that has long since lost its sense of common sense. If Portugal hadn’t only prevailed in extra time – Switzerland would have had to play for the World Cup ticket again in February.

The additional loop turned into a lap of honor in the Letzigrund, the local hero Coumba Sow euphorically challenged the audience to “Sweet Caroline” to the wave. It was again the best advertisement for women’s football. It is what remains of this evening.