- The Swiss U21 national team beat Finland 2-1 at the start of the European Championship qualification in Turku.
- Neo coach Sascha S Tauch’s team has teething problems and falls behind early on.
- The Swiss got better in the second half and turned the game around thanks to goals from Nikolas Muci (62nd) and Lars Villiger (66th).
Coach Sascha S Tauch probably didn’t imagine his first minutes on the sidelines for the U21 national team like this: after just 4 minutes, his team was behind. Otso Liimatta took advantage of his freedom and confidently scored the first shot on goal of the game in front of Lucerne goalie Pascal Loretz to make it 1-0 for Finland.
There was no reaction from the Swiss for a long time. It was clear that the team was playing in this composition for the first time. Experienced leaders like Captain Leonidas Stergiou or Becir Omeragic were not able to have enough influence on the game. The U21 national team couldn’t cope with the Finns’ sometimes rough and tough style of play.
Muci’s stroke of genius brings victory
The hoped-for improvement only occurred in the second half. First Lars Villiger missed the equalizer with a header (55′), a minute later a spectacular save by Ville Koski prevented the score from being 1-1. The central defender saved his beaten goalie with a diving header after a shot from Franck Surdez.
Shortly afterwards, Switzerland was able to celebrate. Nikolas Muci made it 1-1. And how: Wiler started a sideways kick on the edge of the penalty area and superbly defeated Finland goalie Lucas Bergström (62′).
Because Lars Villiger, the second Swiss striker, also scored four minutes later, the quick turnaround was perfect. From close range, the Lucerne player was able to make it 2-1 after a – probably rather involuntary – assist from Surdez.
This is how it goes
On the one hand, this means that the S Tauch era at the U21 national team is off to an optimal start, and on the other hand, the oldest of the young teams is also on course towards the European Championship finals. In the group with Montenegro (1-0 at Armenia) and Albania (in action against Romania in the evening), Switzerland is aiming to win the group.
The next gathering of the U21 national team will take place in October. In the European Championship qualification there will be a home game against Montenegro (October 13th) and an away game in Armenia (October 17th).