Swiss Epilogue: A National Tragedy wrought by questionable Referees and Unbelievable Misfortune

Agree the Swiss deserved to qualify, and I was very disappointed when they got put out by Sweden, having had the majority of chances (even if pundits seemed to think Turkey’s style was prettier) but to say they will never have luck is pure rubbish. Firstly, luck obviously isn’t distributed with any specific bias! Secondly, the Swiss have played some might dreary football the last few years and with remarkable results. Most people in Ireland were dreading the Swiss games, because they are generally so dull to watch. They have had their fair share of luck the last few years, not least against us.

Well I’m thinking about Ukraine 2006, Brazil friendly 2007 and this Euro. We haven’t had one spell of luck in all of these games. The game against the Czech Republic made me want to pull my hair honestly.

Even tonight, the Turks had two shots, two goals. How can it bounce off Muller? And how can Frei get injured?
The two players who gave everything to be there ending up with a fate like this? And Kuhn’s wife? I just can’t believe all of this.

I understand your feelings Jan, you’re a fan and fans react emotionally. So unlucky. It’s a shame because Swiss games were quite entertaining to watch, although you wouldn’t probably say that.

No they were, tomasz. The defence was stunning, unfortunately only having one real striker who’s 19 doesnt really help in these games. Like all Swiss fans were proud of this team but 0 points is too harsh. 4 would have been fair, even 1 would have been enough to go to bed without this feeling.

Absolutely awful that the Swiss didn’t make it, they were a lot better then 0 points. :\

I know. 0 points doesn’t reflect the effort that these lads put in there. Let’s hope they’ll be three on sunday and let’s hope Barnetta will wake up. Apart from all the misfortune and ref decisions we really really missed Barnetta.

I know how you guys feel, awful, my sympathies. Spain in ‘98, France in ‘02, heartbreaking.

Thanks. I’m actually Dutch, just born in Switzerland, but I love this country and I love this team. Despite not having Ronaldo’s and Toni’s they play with devotion and spirit. Perhaps they’ll be rewarded some day.
That 92nd minute goal was such a heartbreak, I felt as if I could cry, especially because Muller didn’t deserve that.

Man that is sad for Switzerland.

Questionable referees? Unlucky? Give me a break…

Julien: I know, it’s a terrible feeling.
Musab: How about playing the entire tournament without Kazim, Emre and Nihat? That’s what Switzerland had to do, no Nkufo, no Frei and no Margairaz. Did you watch the first game? It should have ended 1-1, if not 2-1 for Switzerland. And how about the referee tonight? Senderos offside? That OBVIOUS corner after Inler’s shot? Penalty for Switzerland when Magnin was pulled down? How about that dreadful foul on the Swiss player that deserved a red card? And what about the diving Turkish player with his extended hand who also tried to ask for a penalty? The ref whistled at every single Swiss foul yet half of the Turkish ones. After what happened with the Czech Rep. this is a bit too much to take, ok? Fine, we’re a small team but some respect would do.
Turkey played well, despite the absence of Emre, but a win is way too much, honestly. You had two shots on goal, two goals. And the second goal cannot be labelled anything but lucky, Benaglio would have saved it had it not been touched by Muller.

I understand how you’re feeling but it reads a bit too much as a “woe is us woe woe woe”. I wouldn’t say you deserved to win both games by any means but two defeats was very harsh. I felt really sorry for Frei too, he is a good player.

Switzerland: think of World Cup 2010. We keep our fingers crossed.

Best wishes from Swiss-loving Gwemans!

Hopp Schwyz !

You havw had so much bad luck, so you necessarily deserve better next time.

Fiendly greets from Germanyx

P.S. Pardon ny spelling. Seems I’m somewhat tipsy – hick !

The swiss team could be better, but I think (and have thought for the past years) that Kuhn (who permanently stares like a depressed puppy) is not the coach to do it. Too bad it stopped raining last night, they handled the rain much better.

Craig: I know that for a reader it can sound like that but preparing for two years for the greatest event in Swiss football history and being kicked out after 180 minutes having proved to be at the same level of more prestigious teams and having deserved a minimum of two points (but I believe 6 points wouldn’t have been a scandal at all) is very hard to take. The team didn’t deserve this.

Arminius: Thanks for your kind words, perhaps this young team will be ready for the World Cup.

Vin: I agree with you, I like Kuhn as a human being and his pain inside must be terrible these days but Hitzfeld will probably be a better choice. Let’s hope he will bring Vogel back. We need an experience midfielder.

Jan, I know what it is like to be so disappointed. I have to admit I was pulling for Turkey but your performance in this tournament so far definitely does not merit 0 points after two games. I know it’s not much of a consolation but you can take solace in the fact that people who understand footbal know that you guys played very well. The circumstances you mentioned (missing players, coache’s wife etc.) only make it that much more impressive. Your boys showed heart and in the end thats all you can ask for. This can be a cruel game and an unfair one as well but that’s why we love it so much. Keep your head up kid.

“having proved to be at the same level of more prestigious teams”
Exactly Jan. Switzerland actually had a nice side: Volanthen, Frei, Lichtsteiner, Senderos, and the list goes on. I enjoyed watching them play. Is there any chance that they could get at least a point from their next match or are the players too devastated?

Rami: I know and I think because of those circumstances they deserved to win. The whole tournament had become very emotional for the entire country.

Julien: The players are proud of themselves, despite being obviously devastated, and angry at their unlucky streak, they don’t want to bid farewell to Euro 2008 with 0 points. They know they could have easily had 6 if not more so they’re all ready to humble Portugal. They deserve this little satisfaction at least.

Vin and julien are right, with exciting young players like Derdiyok, Inler, Behrami, Barnetta, and Senderos the Swiss have a bright future. all they need is a coach that will steer them away from the predictable Swiss football of the past.

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