Women’s national team. Leah’s absence is considered an opportunity for others.

On Friday in Erfurt, the Swiss women’s team will face Germany in the penultimate test match before the European Championship. Captain Lia Wälti will be missing, but there is still confidence.

It is clear that Nils Nielsen does not only know football. When the coach of the women’s national team was asked on Thursday morning before leaving for Erfurt what it meant to miss Captain Lea, who due to a groin strain for the friendly against Germany on Friday, drew an analogy to wrestling: “It’s like a wrestling festival without Christian Stocky: then the others have the chance to show themselves.” In any case, he will not change his plan for the game.

Sandy Moody could replace the midfield leader but Nielsen is confident the Arsenal player will be back in action within a week. The Dane says the test result against the eight-time European champion and two-time world champion, coached by former Swiss coach Martina Voss Tecklenburg, came in second. “Performance is more important. We want to show that we are ready to tackle emerging markets.”

The test against the DFB selection should also serve to prepare for the Group C match against the Netherlands, which could be crucial for Switzerland to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time. Nielsen sees some similarities in the playing styles of the two teams.

Next Thursday there will be a final friendly match against England in Letzigrund before the plane takes off for Manchester four days later.

sda