1996, Switzerland’s first euro

Euro football starts on Friday. By the end of the week, we invite you to return to the 4 European Championships played by the Swiss team so far, namely: 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2016. This is a great moment in the history of Nazi.

Euro 96 is held in England. The first in Swiss history. Nati then came out of a very good participation in the round of 16 of the 1994 World Cup in the United States, thanks to a strong defense and a direct play, a short Scandinavian proposed by his coach at the time, Roy Hodgson. First addicted during preparation: Switzerland changed trainer. It is Portuguese Arthur George who handles the team. An appointment that leads to a breakdown: it is on May 28, 1996, Arthur George announced the non-selection of two team officials:

Adrian Knopp and Ellen Sutter. The latter was a real icon in Switzerland at that time with this famous Viking hair. This announcement has the effect of an earthquake: In the media we talk about Black Tuesday in Swiss football.

In this connection, on June 8, the first match of the competition will be played against England at the legendary Wembley Stadium in Switzerland. The first Euro match for Nati at Wembley at the Temple of Football in front of about 9,000 Swiss spectators. At the same time, 35-year-old Alain Geiger will also unknowingly play his last match for Switzerland. This meeting marks the international emergence of a young talent: Genevan Johann Vogel. In contrast, we have England with great names like Gascoigne and Shearer. But surprisingly the Swiss team is ready for this opportunity and a very good 1-1 draw.

So an encouraging result, but 5 days later it was a cold shower against the Netherlands. The Netherlands was very strong at that time. The team is based on the backbone of Champions League winners Ajax, made up of the greats of the time, Van der Sar, David, Kluivert, Les Fr बोres de Boers, Overman and Berkamp, ​​but a few of them. The Dutch lost a lot in this match but the Swiss could not capitalize on their chances. Final result without appeal: 2-0 for the Netherlands.

And yet despite the defeat at this stage, Switzerland can still qualify in their last game against Scotland. But the heart is no more. Nati is a little confused. There is a shortage of working players at the moment. Defeat 1-0. Switzerland will not go ahead in this match.

After Beautiful World 94, this Euro 96 marks a break for the Swiss team that will have to rebuild around young players like Johann Vogel. And it will take time: 8 years before the euro returns to the final stage in 2004.

Dennis Palma