da esport bet： Inka Grings will be looking to fire the Swiss to their best-ever finish in the Women's World Cup in Australia. But who is in their squad?
da fezbet： The Switzerland national women's team is set to play in their second FIFA Women's World Cup finals in July, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand.
Previously they had played only once in the final stage of the World Cup, in 2015, when Canada knocked them out in the Round of 16.
had a disappointing Euro 2022 campaign where they were knockout out in the group stage after managing to get a single point. Still, they had a relatively successful Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign, winning eight of their 10 games and losing just once, 1-0 to Italy.
They emerged as the top team in the ranking of the second-placed teams, which helped them to qualify directly to playoffs round two, where they beat Wales 2-1 to seal a spot in the World Cup.
They will compete with hosts New Zealand, the Philippines and Norway in Group A of the Women's World Cup.
Following the announcement of the final squad on July 3, injured Iman Beney (ACL) had to be replaced by Amira Arfaoui.GOAL takes a look…
Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS
Gaelle Thalmann of Real Betis is the undisputed starter between the sticks for Switzerland. The 37-year-old has over 100 international caps and is one of the most experienced players in the squad.
She is her club's regular keeper and has defended the goal in the entire qualifying period. Hence, there is little doubt that she should have the responsibility to be the final wall in the Swiss defence in Australia.
Livia Peng should hence be the backup goalkeeper.
Gaelle ThalmannReal BetisLivia PengLevanteSeraina FriedliZurichAdvertisementGetty ImagesDEFENDERS
Grings likes to stick to four defenders in her backline. Mostly she does not experiment with her defence and has a set of personnel whom she prefers.
Noelle Maritz is the undisputed starter at right-back. The Arsenal defender has 102 caps for Switzerland and is one of Grings' trusted lieutenants.
Viola Calligaris and Luana Buhler are the two first-choice centre-backs. Calligaris is a versatile player who can also slot in at right-back if Maritz is not 100 per cent. In that case, Julia Stierli joins Buhler at the heart of the defence.
Whereas Eseosa Aigbogun is selected chiefly for the left-back position. However, her place might be under threat as she has a worthy competitor in Nadine Riesen, the 23-year-old defender of FC Zurich.
Noelle MaritzArsenalViola CalligarisLevanteLuana BuhlerHoffenheimJulia StierliZurichLara MartiBayer LeverkusenNadine RiesenZurichEseosa AigbogunParis FCLaura FelberServetteGettyMIDFIELDERS
It is mostly four players at the centre of the park for Grings.
Arsenal's Lia Walti is the conductor-in-chief with her immense experience and passing abilities. With 108 international caps, she is a leader in the Swiss midfield.
Walti is ably complemented by Geraldine Reuteler of Eintracht Frankfurt. Walti's presence allows her the freedom to venture forward and join the attack. The 23-year-old has scored 11 goals in 53 appearances for Switzerland, which speaks volumes about her squad role.
It will be either Coumba Sow or Seraina Piubel on the left flank. However, the scales are titled towards the former as Grings might want to bank on her experience in a tournament like the World Cup.
Lia WaltiArsenalGeraldine ReutelerEintracht FrankfurtCoumba SowServetteSandrine MauronServetteSeraini PiubelZurichMarion ReyZurichGetty ImagesFORWARDS
Ramona Bachmann has recovered from her injury and will be available for selection for the World Cup. The Paris Saint-Germain forward ranks third on Switzerland’s all-time appearance list and second on their scoring chart behind Crnogorcevic with 57 goals.
She is an integral member of the squad who mostly plays as a second striker which allows her to drop deep and link with her midfield players.
Grings has no shortage of firepower in her ranks as Fabienne Humm is another veteran striker who is prolific in front of goal. Whereas, Aston Villa's Alisha Lehmann can be counted as among those capable of making an impact in the latter stages of the game.
Barcelona's Ana Maria Crnogorcevic is another preferred option going forward. She is not only the most-capped player in Swiss history with 70 international appearances but also boasts of scoring 70 goals, the most by any player hailing from the Alpine country.
She has five goals in 20 outings for the senior team, and on her debut for Switzerland’s U-19s, she smashed a three-minute hat-trick against Latvia in 2019.
Ana Maria CrnogorcevicBarcelonaFabienne HummEintracht FrankfurtAlisha LehmannZurichMeriame TerchounAston VillaRamona BachmannParis Saint-GermainAmira ArfaouiBayer Leverkusen