November 30, (THEWILL) – The Switzerland national football association has introduced Maddli, a Saint Bernard puppy, as the official mascot for the upcoming Women’s European Football Championships in 2025. Named after Madeleine Boll, the first licenced female footballer in Switzerland, the mascot represents a significant milestone in women’s football heritage.
UEFA selected the Saint Bernard breed to symbolise the tournament, emphasising the dogs’ reputation for bravery and rescue capabilities in challenging Alpine environments. The 71-year-old Boll, who had her football licence revoked at age 12 in 1965, attended the mascot’s launch and expressed pride in her historical significance to women’s football development.
The tournament will feature 16 teams competing across eight Swiss cities from 2 to 27 July 2025. Nine teams have already qualified, including host nation Switzerland, defending champions England, and several European powerhouses such as Germany, France, and Spain. 14 additional teams are currently competing for the remaining seven tournament spots.
Ticket sales for the championships have commenced, with 720,000 tickets available and prices starting at 25 Swiss francs. The opening match and final will be held at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, a venue with a 38,000-person capacity. Tournament ambassador Lara Dickenmann highlighted Maddli’s potential to inspire young football enthusiasts across Europe.
The mascot’s introduction marks a significant moment in recognising women’s football progression, particularly in Switzerland, where women were only granted national voting rights in 1971.
