Swiss overcoming the fear factor

Switzerland's young footballers are creating a positive reputation for themselves by overcoming the inferiority complex that has dogged the country's football for so many years.

Sniff of the semis
A magnificent 2-0 win over much-fancied Portugal in Zürich yesterday has given the host nation a sniff of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-finals - and the players have ensured that they will no longer be treated as the tournament 'makeweights'.

Team spirit
"We are learning that we also have our qualities alongside major countries such as Portugal and Italy," said FC Zürich central defender Stephan Keller, a key figure in the heroic effort to subdue the talented Portuguese. "The coach is telling us that we have nothing to fear from anyone, and we know that our solidarity can also be an advantage for us."

Ferocious commitment
After the match, Swiss coach Bernard Challandes wore the look of someone whose Christmases had all arrived at once. Challandes' face could scarcely conceal the pride he felt in the ferocious commitment put in by his young charges in the face of high-quality opposition and a 16,000 sell-out crowd in which Portuguese fans heavily outnumbered the home support.

'Something magical'
"This European Championship is something magical for us at the moment," said Challandes, whose team were merely expected to make up the numbers in their first-ever U21 final round. "We play Italy now for a place in the semi-final, and we can still go on dreaming."

Riding their luck
Switzerland rode their luck on several occasions - Portugal were foiled by the woodwork no less than three times - but finally subdued their rivals with a Ricardo Cabanas penalty and Alexander Frei header within 13 second-half minutes. "Portugal are a fine team, they have some quality players, and I have to admit that we had our share of luck," said Challandes.

'Fantastic atmosphere'
"But I am very proud of my team - we fought tremendously hard and showed great courage. The atmosphere was fantastic and the crowd carried us along after we scored." Challandes added a cautionary note, however, saying that his team's chances against the top-rated Italians in Basel tomorrow would depend on how quickly they could recuperate from their unstinting efforts against Portugal.

De Oliveira philosophical
Meanwhile, Portugal's coach Agostinho de Oliveira tried to adopt a philosophical air after seeing his team's chances of European glory nosedive. "Life goes on - the Swiss team were strong, and their central defenders and goalkeeper impressed me very much," said De Oliveira, who also felt that the penalty decision which gave Switzerland the lead was a harsh one.

Portugal's misfortune
Portugal could possibly still be playing now and not have scored - their misfortune was symbolised by substitute António Semedo, who contrived to blast over a gaping open goal in the dying seconds. Swiss goalkeeper Nicolas Beney had broken their resolve long before the end with some splendid saves, and De Oliveira's side must now pick themselves off the floor to face England in the crucial final Group 1 game, as a tight group goes to the wire.

Crucial showdown
"We will do everything to win against England, and see how the result in the other match goes," said De Oliveira. The Portuguese coach will be praying that Lady Luck smiles rather more benevolently on his young squad when they return to Zürich's Hardturm Stadium for the showdown with the English.