As soon as I stepped off the plane in Oslo, Caroline Graham Hansen, Barcelona’s super winger, greeted fans to her home city. Every escalator, billboard, metro station and major attraction had her, in partnership with Pepsi clad in an inspired shirt, shouting the strapline “Game on, Oslo!” rallying the city to get behind the biggest fixture of the European women's football calendar happening on Nordic soil. 

The UEFA Women’s Champions League final between Barcelona Femeni and OL Lyoness is a blockbuster event. A narrative that spans 8 years starting at the Catalonian side’s first final, lost 4-1, to their third where Lyon sealed their record 8th continental title in 2022. An historic night in a packed-out San Mames in 2024 sealed Barcelona's first victory against the French team, completing the quadruple that year, cementing themselves as continental giants. Under the lights in Oslo, an almost full circle 4-0 win officially confirms that Barcelona have taken over Lyon’s reign of terror over Europe cementing their 4th title in 6 years. 

When the UEFA Women’s EURO in Switzerland came calling, Sydney Schertenleib knew she had to deliver. The eighteen-year-old young prospect made her major tournament debut on home soil. The Swiss international is emerging as a rising star of the game.

Not only is the young player shining for her country, but also for her club, FC Barcelona Femení. During her time in Spain, she has contributed to the retaining several accolades: Liga F feminine Champions, the Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa feminina trophies. With such a successful Spanish club, making her mark on the team is no easy challenge.