While the top teams in Europe are still on the summer break, teams from the smaller leagues are struggling to keep hopes of a place in the European Cup alive. The first round of qualifying for the Champions League is on Tuesday. Oliver Buff is also in the thick of things.
The FCZ junior was once one of the most promising candidates for a promising professional career in his year. The now 30-year-old has already demonstrated his skills internationally at a young age. In 2009, the native of Baden was an integral part of the Swiss U17 national team, which sensationally won the World Cup in Nigeria.
Buff made his debut with FCZ in the Super League at the age of 17. However, the steep ascent did not materialize. In 2017, the central midfielder dared to take the step abroad. But not in a top league, but in the second highest Spanish championship to Zaragoza.
This was followed by engagements in Cyprus, Malaysia and Lithuania. At the end of 2019, Buff returned to Switzerland, where he was not happy at GC. He has been earning his living with the Lithuanian champions FK Zalgiris Vilnius since early 2022.
Oliver Buff’s previous professional positions
Year | club |
2010-2017 | FC Zurich |
2017-2019 | Real Zaragoza/ESP |
2019 | Anorthosis/CYP |
2019-2020 | G.C |
2020-2022 | Selangor FC/MYS |
Since 2022 | Zalgiris/LTU |
Before the start of the CL qualifiers – Zalgiris meets FK Struga from North Macedonia in the first round – Buff talks about his exotic journey as a footballer in an interview with SRF Sport. How did she lead him to Lithuania? And where else should she go?
SRF Sport: Oliver Buff, you have been at home in Vilnius for a year and a half. How do you imagine life there?
Oliver Buff: I had never heard of Vilnius before I arrived. I was positively surprised. It’s the best city I’ve lived in so far. And I haven’t had such bad cities during my career.
What makes it so special to you?
The distances are very small. Everything can be reached in 10 to 15 minutes. It is a town with a village character. That suits me very well.
When you think of Lithuania, football doesn’t immediately come to mind: how did you get involved with Zalgiris?
Your contract runs until the end of 2023 (the domestic championship lasts from March to November, editor’s note). Can you imagine staying in Lithuania after that?
Basically yes. I am feeling good here. But the goal is to return to Switzerland sooner or later. I have my family there, my girlfriend, my colleagues. But for now I have to wait. The market in Switzerland is not easy, especially when you have reached a certain age.
Legend:
Met FC Basel with Zalgiris last season
Oliver Buff, here in a tackle against Dan Ndoye in the group game of the Conference League.
Daniela Frutiger/freshfocus
You were one of the best juniors in Switzerland in your year, you were given a lot of credit. Do you have any regrets in your career planning?
I sometimes ask myself whether it wouldn’t have been better to go abroad sooner. At that time it was still said that one should first establish oneself in Switzerland. I’m not sure if this is the right way. But one thing is clear: If you can’t hold your own in a big league in 10 years, then you don’t deserve it.
Back to the present: you’re back with the team after an injury break of several months due to a partial tear in your Achilles tendon. Where are you currently?
I’ve been back in team training for 4 weeks. The feeling is good, I’ve already had 2 partial missions. I hope that we can get through the first qualifying round for the Champions League and that I’ll be back at 100 percent by the second round at the latest.
You mention the European Cup qualification. Last year, Zalgiris was the first Lithuanian team to qualify for a group stage (Conference League, editor’s note). Where should the road lead this season?
The interview was conducted by Marco Loeffel.