Switzerland revealed the official mascot for the 2025 UEFA Women’s European Football Championship on Friday: a Saint Bernard puppy named Maddli. The mascot made its first public appearance at Geneva’s main railway station, engaging with children before strolling through the city.
UEFA explained the choice of a Saint Bernard, known for its bravery, gentle nature, and life-saving abilities in the challenging Alpine environment. Maddli’s name is a tribute to Madeleine Boll, the first licensed female footballer in Switzerland. Boll’s journey in football began in 1964 when, at the age of 12, she was issued a license by mistake. Although it was revoked upon the realization she was a girl, Boll’s legacy lives on, and she was present to pose for pictures with the new mascot.
Boll, now 71, expressed pride in being part of this historic moment. “My story began 60 years ago, and 60 years later I am being given the opportunity to recognize the entire journey of these 60 years,” she said. Women’s football in Switzerland has come a long way since Boll’s early days, with the Swiss league beginning in 1970 and women gaining the right to vote in 1971.
Maddli, wearing the number 25 jersey, traveled from Geneva to Zurich, where she made a special appearance at the Letzigrund stadium, where Switzerland had faced a 6-0 loss to Germany. Former Swiss international Lara Dickenmann, a tournament ambassador, praised Maddli for capturing the energy and passion of both the tournament and the country, stating that the mascot would inspire young fans across Europe.
The 2025 Women’s Euro tournament will take place from July 2 to 27, with Switzerland hosting in eight cities: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Sion, Thun, and Zurich. The opening match and final will be held at St. Jakob-Park in Basel. The tournament will feature 16 teams, with nine already qualified, including Switzerland, England, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. The remaining teams will compete for the last spots in playoffs, with the final draw scheduled for December 16.
A total of 720,000 tickets will be available for the tournament, with prices starting at 25 Swiss francs ($28.40).
