Engaging insights captivate attendees at first “Invitation from Prisca” event

Around 90 visitors turned out at the FIFA Museum in Zurich on Tuesday evening to witness the first event in our new series “Invitation from Prisca”. Host and FIFA Museum Football Expert Prisca Steinegger welcomed special guests Sandra Piubel and Urs Meier, parents of Swiss international Seraina Piubel, for a live talk, before they and the crowd watched a thrilling women’s international between England and Switzerland.

While the match was played in Sheffield, the atmosphere was buzzing at our event in Zurich, one of the eight cities that will stage the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. Besides our guests on stage, a further touch of glamour was provided by the illustrious figures in the audience: ex-Switzerland international Fabienne Humm, who played in the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2015 and 2023; former elite referee Esther Staubli, who officiated at three editions of the Women’s World Cup and the Women’s EURO apiece and two Olympics; and ex-player and long-time football executive Tatjana Haenni, currently the Chief Sporting Director of the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League.

During the pre-match discussion, Meier and Piubel – both former footballers themselves – spoke about the career of their daughter, the current Switzerland international and West Ham United player Seraina Piubel, discussed the state of play in the Swiss women’s game and looked ahead to next year’s EURO on home soil. “Football has always played a big role in our lives, so it’s no wonder that the spark caught on,” said Sandra Piubel about Seraina, noting that her daughter was thrilled to have been recalled to the Swiss national squad. She also revealed that there were “a few offers on the table, including some from Italy” before Seraina swapped FC Zürich for life in London in September this year.

“Moving to West Ham was a dream come true and we’re very proud that she’s now able to experience this adventure. It was Seraina’s decision. We didn’t influence her in any way,” stressed Meier. “It’s amazing for her to play in London derbies in front of 60,000 fans. That’s a whole different ball game compared to the Swiss league,” added Sandra Piubel, and her husband agreed, stating that “the big clubs in Switzerland need to invest more in women’s football. It’s important to develop the players and there’s a need for investment in coach education and many other things.”

Despite the narrow defeat (0-1) against England, the Swiss team's performance was met with great anticipation, and everyone agreed that Switzerland could well have a successful tournament in its own country next summer.

The event kick-started our new “Invitation from Prisca” series, which will be continuing to serve up entertainment and fascinating insights – and putting women’s football in the spotlight – in the coming months. It will also provide an opportunity for the women’s football community in Switzerland to meet and grow.