Swiss ‘super fan’ who shot to fame at Euro 2020 ready for women’s team to step up

Football fans who watched the Euro 2020 match between Switzerland and France may well remember the sight of Luca Loutenbach’s emotional reactions to the Swiss comback

Four years ago, Swiss football fan Luca Loutenbach unexpectedly became internet famous overnight for his celebrations during his country’s Euros victory over France. His emotions encapsulated the agony and ecstasy of football fandom as Vladimir Petkovic’s team scored two late goals to take the game to extra-time before winning a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Loutenbach, who was 28 at the time, was rewarded with a flight to Switzerland’s quarter-final against Spain in St Petersburg, where the ‘Nati’ couldn’t quite repeat the trick. This year, he doesn’t have quite as far to travel.

Switzerland are hosting the Women’s European Championships, where the host nation have given themselves every chance of making it into the quarter finals. Loutenbach isn’t quite as avid a fan of women’s football, but the prospect of a tournament on his doorstep has seen him don his country’s colours and show his support – and he tells Mirror Football there are still some people who remember those iconic photos from four years ago.

“Yes, it [getting recognised] still happens from time to time in Switzerland,” he says. “I probably underestimated how much that game stayed in people’s memories… I can’t lie: I really appreciate being associated with a happy moment for my country – I feel a very strong bond with it and am incredibly grateful to have been raised there.”

Loutenbach lives what he describes as a very Swiss life, working in the banking sector and living in a small town about 45 minutes outside Basel. One of his main loves is his local ice hockey team, HC Ajoie, but he still makes time to follow the men’s national team overseas and, now, has had the chance to lend his support to the women.

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“Of course, my motivation to follow this year’s tournament is closely tied to the fact that it’s happening on home soil – and that a strong run from Switzerland could create something really special,” says Loutenbach, who hopes to make it along to the final in Basel if he’s able to secure some tickets. “But I’m also fully aware of the incredible opportunity this tournament offers to see some of the best players in the world.

“I’ll watch one game alone, another with my girlfriend, and a third with friends who don’t usually attend football matches. In my opinion, women’s football attracts a very different audience.”

He watched some games from the 2022 Women’s Euros and 2023 World Cup on television, with the latter seeing the Swiss women’s team emulate the men and lose to Spain in the knockout rounds of a major tournament. There could be a change for revenge this year, though, with Pia Sundhage’s team needing just a point from their final group game to potentially set up a rematch with a Spain side who went into the tournament as one of the favourites.

Loutenbach recognises the efforts made to grow the women’s game in recent years, and feels this tournament could help take things to another level. “The Swiss Football Federation has definitely invested a lot over the last five years to develop the women’s game,” he says.

“But I still feel there’s a lot to be done in terms of youth development and infrastructure. This tournament could be a real boost!”

As for whether an impressive run at the Euros could bring a new, committed fanbase? “Absolutely – I’m the best example of that!” he says. “It can definitely create new momentum within the fan base and inspire young girls who want to pursue their passion for the game.”

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