Swiss Update: Champions’ League/UEFA Cup Draw and Latest Transfer Rumours

The Champions’ League and UEFA Cup draws were made at Nyon, Switzerland, not many hours ago.
There were mixed feelings for the Swiss teams.

In the 2nd round of the main European club competition, Swiss Champions FC Basel will defy Swedish Champions IFK Göteborg (given that the Swedes defeat San Marino’s Murata in the first round). Following a successful period between 1982 and 1996 where they had won 10 national titles, the Swedish team had entered a brief hiatus of anonymity. They are currently 4th in the Swedish standings, six points behind leaders Kalmar.
The most dangerous players are former Swedish international Niclas Alexandersson (we saw him at Euro 2008), striker Stefan Selakovic and young midfielder Gustav Svensson . Certainly a tricky draw for the Basel players!
The second round takes place on the 15/16th and on the 22nd/23rd of July.

In the UEFA CUP 2008-2009 Challenge League Runners-up AC Bellinzona will have to play against Armenian side Ararat Yerevan. The first qualifying round takes place on the 17th/31st July. Neuchatel Xamax had already played against them in 2005. The Armenian side won the Armenian Cup in the last season.

Liechtenstein Challenge League Winners FC Vaduz (who have a special status in the Swiss League, see this article) will have an easy start with the Bosnian HŠK Zrinjski Mostar. The Croatian starlet Luka Modric played one season on loan for this team. They ended fourth in the Bosnian League.

Young Boys and Zurich will play in the second qualifying round that takes place on the 14th and 28th of August.

Transfers and Transfer Rumours
Fulham is interested in Switzerland’s Superleague and Euro 2008 Topscorer Hakan Yakin. The experienced midfielder (see his profile) had announced that he intended to leave Young Boys. Sochaux and team from Qatar are also interested in signing him. He played 83 games and scored 40 goals for the Bern side.

24-year old Marco Padalino leaves Piacenza for Serie A Side Sampdoria. The Swiss midfielder was also followed by Atalanta and Fiorentina. He has played 4 times for the Swiss U-19 team and has been one of Piacenza’s MVP’s in the last season.

Serie A Side Cagliari has found Foggia’s subsitute in Swiss midfielder Fabrizio Zambrella. The 22-year old Brescia player has played for both Switzerland under-19 and under-21 and playing in the Italian Top Flight might give him the experience and quality to become a Nati player.

Valon Behrami is still the big question mark in Italian transfer gossip. Will the Lazio and Switzerland midfielder move to Palermo, Real Madrid or Fiorentina? I’ll keep you updated!

Striker Mauro Lustrinelli has joined newly promoted Bellinzona, following a successful season at FC Luzern. He would have come in useful at Euro 2008 with his almost 200 goals with the various clubs he played for (including Sparta Prague).

Arsenal, Juventus and Inter are interested in signing Gokhan Inler (my mvp for Euro 2008). The Swiss midfielder might renew his contract with Udinese until 2013.

Despite an unfortunate European tournament AS Roma is willing to sign Tranquillo Barnetta from Bayer Leverkusen. The excellent relationship that united the two teams might lead to a smooth operation.

Gordon Strachan wants Alexander Frei! The Celtic boss has admitted that he’s interested in the Swiss player despite Borussia Dortmund’s high price. Will he still be interested now that Frei will have to stay on the sidelines for two months following the operation?

Newcastle United will offer 6 million euros for Eren Derdiyok. Will Basel let him leave for such a low price or will they keep him and make the price go up?

SS Lazio and Porto have shown interest in Swiss defender Lichtsteiner.