Swiss playing a new Thun

By Kadira Malkoc

Newly promoted FC Thun have brought a refreshing new look to the top of the Swiss Nationalliga A and after eleven rounds the club are challenging at the top end of the table. 

New Optimism
With a 2-0 victory over struggling FC Aarau in their last game on Tuesday, Hanspeter Latour's team held on to third position on 18 points, with just Grasshopper-Club and last season's champions FC Basel above them. Indeed, Thun are giving a new sense of optimism to a league which has struggled over the last few years with serious financial problems. The team from the small northern Swiss town have shown that enthusiasm and a strong will can pay real dividends.

Confidence growing
As the championship progresses, Thun are becoming ever more confident, particularly after victories over eighth-placed FC Wil 1900 and reigning champions Basel. The newly-promoted side have so far shown themselves to be very well organised and they have a spirited approach to the game.

Key man
The key player for the team is Milaim Rama, who has scored eight goals and leads the scoring chart along with Stéphane Chapuisat of BSC Young Boys and Barijho from Grasshoppers. Rama has established an excellent partnership with Azaiwonou who Thun signed on loan from Basel for the season. The two of them, backed up by a strong midfield, have been scoring with ease.

Cautious approach
"This is too good to be true. Now we have to do everything in order not to disappoint our fans," said Thun president Gustav Werder. Latour, however, has urged caution. "We need at least 25 points to avoid relegation and we have a long way to go," he said. "It would be too early to start celebrating now." But if Thun keep playing the way they are, a UEFA Cup position is not beyond them.

Financial troubles
Nationalliga A has become a very different place after financial problems saw FC Lugano, Lausanne-Sports and FC Sion replaced by SR Delémont and the reinstated FC Luzern and FC Aarau at the end of last season. But only Delémont appear to be ready for the top flight.

Formidable opponents
The club from western Switzerland caused a few surprises early in the season by beating last season's UEFA Cup participants Servette FC 2-0. Indeed, Delémont may be languishing in the bottom half of the table but at home they can be formidable opponents.

Star striker
Last week they enjoyed a stunning 6-2 victory against FC St. Gallen with a hat-trick from Cameroonian striker Samuel Ojong. The fast and hard-working attacker also scored the first goal in the victory against Servette. Basel only managed a 1-0 victory over the new boys and their worst defeat so far this season was against table-toppers Grasshopper 4-2.

'Their time will come'
Delémont are not a side who will make an impact on the top half of the table this season, but they can be a thorn in the side of any opponent. "We have a very young team and their time will come," said Delémont president Pierre Willemin. "We know that we cannot threaten anyone in the Nationalliga at this point. But we are already preparing for several years ahead."