BERN, Switzerland (AP) \u2014 The guard of honor Spain\u2019s players gave their beaten Switzerland opponents leaving the field told a strong story.<\/p>\n
A Swiss team whose prospects at its home Women\u2019s European Championship were unclear a month ago left bathed in warmth and affection after a 2-0 loss<\/a> to the tournament favorite in the quarterfinals on Friday.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Saluted after the final whistle by fans on all four sides of another sold-out stadium, Switzerland left the stage with clear respect from the world champion \u2014 and likely next European champion.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a spontaneous gesture,\u201d Spain star Aitana Bonmat\u00ed said in translated comments. \u201cIt was a way to congratulate them for a great tournament and it goes beyond that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey made us live unique experiences we will never forget. We are playing in stadiums full of people,\u201d the two-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner said. \u201cWe wanted to thank them for that.\u201d<\/p>\n And Switzerland is now a good team \u2014 almost unrecognizable to the one that went into training camp last month on an eight-game winless run dating to November.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cThey have been a very serious team, very intense,\u201d said Bonmat\u00ed, whose backheeled pass to Athenea Del Castillo created the opening goal in the 66th minute of an increasingly tense test for the World Cup and UEFA Nations League title holder.<\/p>\n Swiss captain Lia W\u00e4lti stopped at the end of the guard of honor to exchange words and a long hug with Alexia Putellas, another two-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner. In May, W\u00e4lti\u2019s club team Arsenal had dethroned the Barcelona of Putellas and Bonmat\u00ed in the Women\u2019s Champions League final.<\/p>\n Minutes earlier, the 32-year-old W\u00e4lti was consoling her tearful 18-year-old teammate Iman Beney, who had a stellar breakout tournament.<\/p>\n The dynamic and fearless play of teenagers Beney, Sydney Schertenleib and Leila Wandeler, and 22-year-old Alayah Pilgrim \u2014 in thrilling finishes to group-stage games against Iceland<\/a> and Finland<\/a> \u2013 won over any lingering doubts among fans and media during the tournament.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cIt hurts now,\u201d midfielder Smilla Vallotto told broadcaster RTS, while looking ahead to \u201ca beautiful future\u201d with what she called the best fans in Europe.<\/p>\n