The first phone call was difficult for her: Nati coach Pia Sundhage is not a fan of telephones

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With 28 players in their luggage, the Swiss national team will travel to the training camp in Marbella on Monday. In addition to proven talent, new national coach Pia Sundhage (63) also relies on four players from the U19 national team in her first selection. Lia Kamber (18) from FC Luzern is there for the first time. “A good mix of youth and experience,” says Sundhage.

The Swede explains that her first call was not easy for her. For example, because the Women’s Super League only started playing again last weekend, she spent her first four weeks as national coach mainly behind the computer instead of in the stadium. “I have seen the Nati win three times against Sweden alone,” said the Nati coach.

There are a lot of one-on-one conversations coming up

In addition to watching matches, the 2012 world coach had many conversations with various people within the association. “The exchange with U19 coach Veronica Maglia was particularly valuable,” says Sundhage.

Sundhage was also able to get a first impression, at least by phone, of her three leading actors, Lia Wälti, Ramona Bachmann and Ana Maria Crnogorcevic. “They were very happy and interested,” says the national coach. “But I’m actually not a big fan of talking on the phone. You have to be right in front of someone to really feel them.”

Sundhage wants to do that in Marbella from next Monday. In addition to getting to know each other, two practice matches against Poland (23 and 27 February) are also on the program. She is supported by Anders Johansson (57), who completes the coaching team around Sundhage and Lilie Persson (57) as an additional assistant.

Source : Blick