Switzerland’s international record in the year prior to the 2008 UEFA European Championship remains mediocre. The friendly matches during October proved it. An encouraging 3-1 (2-1) win over EURO co-hosts Austria in Zurich on October 13 was followed by a disappointing performance and 1-0 (0-0) defeat by the United States in Basle four days later. Though national coach Jakob Kuhn had to replace many regular players, it must still be noted that the team spirit which identified the team last year has vanished.

In 2006, the best Swiss footballers achieved seven wins and four draws in the first ten months, including 0-0 against the Ukraine in the knock-out stage of the World Cup, although they lost the penalty shoot-out. Two defeats by Austria and Brazil followed. The Swiss then began 2007 with a defeat in Germany. The following 10 months of the pre-EURO year continued the disappointment. Wins and defeats alternated almost constantly. Four victories, one draw, and four defeats – that was the record of the Swiss up till October. The aim of winning the 2008 European title in June 2008 now appears less likely than the optimism which appeared last year.

The Swiss professionals gave their coach “Koebi” Kuhn a late birthday present the day after his 64th birthday at Zurich’s Letzigrund Stadium. It took them hardly 71 seconds before they scored their first goal against Austria. A through pass from Tranquillo Barnetta laid on a goal for Marco Streller. Whenever the Swiss increased the tempo, the 22,500 spectators found more reason to hold hopes for their team’s championship chances. Although Rene Aufhauser (11th) put the Austrians level, the Swiss ultimately enjoyed a relatively comfortable win, due mainly to a splendid performance from Barnetta of Bayer Leverkusen, with three goal assists, and further goals from the former Stuttgart player Streller (55th) and Hakan Yakin (36th).

Yakin, who now plays with Young Boys Bern and recently shed five kilos to help his team’s ambitions. Left defender Ludovic Magnin talked extensively in German and French about that aim that evening. “It is our dream to become European champions”, Magnin said.

It is thanks to Ottmar Hitzfeld that there are already excited discussions about Swiss football’s future following the 2008 UEFA European Championship. The 58-year-old coach of FC Bayern Munich disclosed to contacts on Swiss daily newspapers that he is considering only two options in the summer of 2008 -- either to continue coaching FC Bayern or to accept the job as Swiss national coach. After all he is building a new house in his home town of Loerrach on the German-Swiss border. His past as a player and coach explains his preference for Swiss football. Hitzfeld’s remarks led to immediate reactions. “Naturally I’m pleased that such a competent coach is interested in the Swiss”‚ said Swiss football president Ralph Zloczower who will contact Hitzfeld. Kuhn, however, had suggested his assistant Michel Pont should be his successor.

The result experienced in Basle 233 days before the opening match of the UEFA European Championship triggered some pensive reactions in Switzerland. It must be mentioned that Kuhn had to replace many players. Injuries to defenders Philipp Degen, Patrick Mueller, and Valon Behrami had forced him to continually restructure the defence during the previous months. This, quite expectedly, destabilised the usually reliable Swiss defence, and 19 goals were conceded in eleven matches. In addition, defensive supremo Philippe Senderos was missing in the match against the USA, as the Arsenal player was suffering from back problems after the game against Austria. However, despite the unforeseen problems, the negative performance against the US was unacceptable. That was the overall impression of the Swiss media. The Americans also played with a B team, with US coach Bob Bradley using seven new players.

Bradley was particularly happy after the match, with just 16,500 spectators at St. Jakob Park Stadium, leaving 22,000 seats empty. The victory was especially welcome for him, but the fact that his son Michael scored the only goal in the 86th minute for the 1-0 victory put the icing on the family cake. Both teams played below standard, and it would be fair to say that top international class was markedly lacking on the rainy evening. “It was a painful fact that we failed to take control of the game. We must remain cooler, calmer and more patient and have to improve physically also”, Kuhn said, showing some understanding for his players: “Adapting to the countless problems has to be paramount when you field a team that has never played together at such a high level. We don’t have as many players as Brazil or Germany.” But this match should not have been lost because of that reason, he added. The fact that Pascal Zuberbuehler, the 36-year-old goalkeeper appeared lacking when he conceded the goal, once again fired discussion about Switzerland’s goalkeeping dilemma. The three-man competition for the number one spot continues, “Zubi” did not gain any points on the evening - but he was not alone.