European Football Cup 2008’s Weblog

Switzerland’s campaign may have ended on a high note with a 2-0 win against Portugal, but outgoing coach Köbi Kuhn and his men were left ruing their failure to get to the quarter-finals.

Small consolation
Two goals from Hakan Yakin in Basel earned Switzerland victory in their third and final Group A game – their first win at a UEFA European Championship – but was only small consolation after the 1-0 opening-game defeat against the Czech Republic and subsequent last-gasp loss to Turkey had condemned them to an early exit. “This win was one of the most beautiful moments in my career, even though it counted for nothing,” said Kuhn after the Portugal game, before adding: “It is painful to see that a point against Turkey would have been enough to make it to the quarter-finals. The team was capable of qualifying for the knockout games.”

Miserable luck
Given the setbacks Switzerland suffered, the fact that they came so close was some achievement. Several players pulled out before the tournament, pivotal midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta never really found his form after recovering from an ankle injury while Swiss captain and all-time top scorer Alexander Frei lasted just 43 minutes of the opening game before suffering partially torn ligaments in his left knee. Fellow striker Marco Streller was then sidelined by a lingering groin injury, leaving 19-year-old Eren Derdiyok as Kuhn’s only recognised forward. “I have always said that we are lacking the forwards capable of playing at such level, and I haven’t changed my mind,” said the coach.

‘We failed’
Although neither the Czechs nor Turkey could say they dominated in their wins against the co-hosts, vice-captain Ludovic Magnin who took the armband following Frei’s injury, insisted this did not dilute the disappointment. “It’s too easy to say we played well but got knocked out. We lost two matches, so obviously something was lacking. We failed. We were not here to play well, but to win games.” Long-serving goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler, who made his final international appearance against Portugal, added: “The feeling we are left with is regret, to be honest. With this team, we could have done more. We have been too naïve, whether it is in attack or in defence.”

‘Step back’
Hakan Yakin emerged with his reputation enhanced, scoring all three of the Swiss goals, but the 31-year-old feels the ‘Nati’ remain a work in progress. “We took a nice step forward from Portugal 2004 to Germany 2006 [where Switzerland reached the last 16], but we took a step back from there to the EURO on home soil. We let lots of things slip.” Nonetheless, Kuhn’s replacement Ottmar Hitzfeld will have seen some encouraging signs. Philippe Senderos and Patrick Müller impressed in central defence, Gökhan Inler shone in the holding role while fellow midfielder Valon Behrami also did well. Goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, 24, appears a star for the future.

Kuhn’s legacy
Whether former FC Bayern München coach Hitzfeld can do better with these players – and indeed bring improved performances from highly-regarded right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner – is the big issue as Switzerland look ahead to the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Group 9 features Israel, Moldova, Luxembourg, Greece and Latvia, and could be winnable for the Swiss, though Barnetta feels Hitzfeld has a tough act to follow after Kuhn’s seven years in charge. “Ottmar Hitzfeld brings lots of experience with him,” said the Bayer 04 Leverkusen player. “We are looking to working with him, but it will not be easy. Köbi Kuhn has given us a great time.”