Over the past year, Swiss athletes in general have been on the rise all over the world. From the amazing performances of Marco Odermatt to the strength of the Kambundji sisters, we’ve kept the hits and passions to highlight. But also a big disappointment in football…
January: Eternal Double
The year had already begun with Swiss exploits on the alpine ski slopes, but January 24 presents us with a massive moment: Beat Feuz and Marco Odermatt Score a downhill double on the “Streif” in Kitzbühel, like a wonderful contempt for the Austrians, soundly beaten in their garden by the Swiss star and his pupil, ready to surpass the master in his favorite discipline. Daniel Hemetsberger, rejected in third place, but 90th percentile, saves furniture for Wunderteam. Thus Fuse achieves a three-pass after a high-profile final debate. It’s been 30 years since the Helvetii won such a victory in Kitz. But in 1992, there were three on the podium: Franz Heinzer, Daniel Maher and Xavier Gigandet.
February: Lara Gut Bahrami, for history
Of course, the Beijing Olympics were a real success for Switzerland despite the special context. The athletes in the red jumpsuit with the white cross have achieved great things there. We think of Corinne Sutter, in golden ramp. To Michelle Gisin and Wendy Holdener, double co-authors. To Marco Odermatt, titled Colossus. Or Mathilde Grimaud, Queen of the Cliffs. But let them not blame us: we will remember with pleasure February 11th as the “date” of these Olympic Games, the day when Lara Jot Behrami climbs Mount Olympus in a Super G. The gorgeous Ticinoise rejects Miriam Buechner at 22 and Michel Gesin at 30 to “finally” embrace that Olympic gold medal she’s always dreamed of for ages. Injured before Vancouver 2010, frustrated in Sochi in 2014 and disappointed with her campaign in Pyeongchang in 2018, this time ‘LGB’ knew how to drift in time. for the story. Yes, she is one of the greatest female skaters of all time.
March: Odermatt, more than a giant
For a time, he was considered the king of giants, but Marco Odermatt soon showed that he was not. Or even it was much more than that! Yes he is a king as evidenced by his fantastic 2021/2022 season, allowing him to invade the large crystal globe General classification during the finals Courchevel / Meribel. Regular as ever, superb on his skis, Nidwalden at just 24 years old jumped the Grand Prix, more than 400 points ahead of his first runner-up, Norway’s Alexander Aamodt Kilde. Swiss Ski has a real gem on his hands. “I hope this is just the beginning of something and not the endHe breathed with a grin, radiant like… a carnivore.
April: Roman’s Nutty Madness
Switzerland may not be able to measure the exceptional performance of Roman Josey, hockey’s best player. The captain of the Nashville Predators, Bernays is a defender to reckon with in the NHL. And this is at all levels, since April 23, 2022 it becomes First transatlantic defender to reach 90 points Almost 30 years ago (1993/94 season, Ray Bourque with 91 units)! The former CP Bern player will eventually total 96 at the end of the workout.
May: FC ZURICH before the great
For a long time, FC Zurich held the title of Super League spoilsport, which is destined to gradually fade away over the course of the year. Everyone thinks this will be the case. Even some of Andre Breitenreiter’s followers did not believe that the miracle would last until the end. However, on May 1, FCZ won its 13th national title, which was unexpected because it wasn’t expected for a long time. Heroic throughout the exercise, Blerim Dzemaili and his partners (including unlikely top scorer Assan Ceesay) added style in their victory, Because by winning 2-0 against one of their direct competitors, FC Basel, to secure the cup. unbelievable!
June: Belair is tender
In June, a few Swiss athletes caught fire. The only real bright spot comes from Antoine Pellet’s left arm. Eliminated in Mallorca qualifiers on grass, Geneva – then ATP 303 – Expect an exceptional week in Rafael Nadal territory. He already makes 3 members of the top 100 in quick succession, including Pablo Carreno Busta, thanks to his brilliant and offensive tennis. It takes Roberto Bautista Agut to stop his adventure in the semi-finals.
July: Ehmer, length matters
In the midst of a summer in which many are just waiting for the European Games to make headlines, Simon Emmer steps out of his box. Swiss decathlete, more and more proficient in the long jump, jumps to 8m 16 at Eugene Worlds and goes to kiss the bronze medalBehind Jianan Wang (8m36) and Miltiadis Tintoglu (8m32). A remarkable achievement for an athlete from Appenzell and even for all Swiss athletics! “I’m not particularly happy with my championship, but since only the first three places count for such a date, I tell myself that the goal has been achieved.”, savors the demanding 22-year-old.
August: Radian, Kambunji Sisters
The European Games, contested between Rome and Munich, allow Swiss athletes to shine as others did during the Beijing Olympics 6 months ago. Lisa Mammier, Noa Ponte and Antonio Dijakovic blaring in the water. Stefan Bisiger, Stefan Kong, and Marilyn Roeser pedal in the right direction. And if Annik Kälin, Ricky Petrucciani and Simon Ehammer write delicious new pages of Swiss athletics, then we should know that it is the performance of the Kambundji sisters that stands out in the first place.
And so, 3 days after he was denied the 100-meter continental title for 5 very small parts of a thousand, Mujinga – no doubt driven by anger – snatches 200m gold after a breathtaking race, beating favorite Dinah Asher-Smith by 11 one-hundredths of a cent. “10 years ago, I never thought I would do this. Bern Comments. I’m very happy!“After 48 hours, her joy as a big sister will also be immense. The youngest, Detaji, who is barely 20 years old, will truly triumph.” European bronze medal in the 100m hurdles. And this is thanks to the unusual clip on the line. “It’s amazing, I can’t believe it’, the person who is no longer just a ‘younger sister’ rejoices.
September: Curtain on “RF”
That’s it, it’s over. On September 15, Roger Federer revealed what is no longer a secret for many people in world tennis: the end of his career. He decided to schedule it 8 days later, after another Laver Cup double alongside his former great rival, Rafael Nadal. Emotion peaks in Swiss homes and even among the 20-time Grand Slam champion who will burst into tears in London, the scene of his final performance. at 41 Basel can go with his head held high. Countrymen, they will go to different platforms or they will have to take out the VHS to remember the good stuff.
October: Haussler out of the box
While Swiss tennis is still giddy after losing Roger Federer, Marc-Andrea Haussler comes to cheer her up. On the upswing since 2020, the Zurich native drops what for him is the first donut of his career. this in Winning his first ATP title, in Sofia. And the way the 26-year-old paints the feat, especially beating Holger Roon – future Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 winner – in the final, without batting an eyelid. Over the course of his Bulgarian run, the dubbed “Mac” will also date Pablo Carreno Busta and Lorenzo Musetti.
November: Final recipient
I have waited almost 10 years like this, for the World Cup. Without really raising her voice or expressing her frustration, there is no doubt that tasting some thirty podiums without ever having the right to climb to the top was the beginning of Wendy Holdner’s frustration. Admittedly, her career would have already been stellar without that slalom victory, but Schweizwaz knew she was missing something. Until November 27th and this slalom that allowed him to erase the “Poulidor” mark from alpine skiing forever, to also end forever with the eternal question: “And when will this first victory be?” , Annoying like those people who ask a couple when they have a baby.
Too strong on American ice, Wendy Holdener brings the circus white back into her class by climbing to the top. But, since she was needed, she was forced to share the victory with the Swede Anna Sweyn Larsson … “Imagine what it would have been like to be a hundred slowerKidding. Two weeks later, the citizen of Unteriberg will allow everyone to consent by being imperial in Sestriere.
December: “Demontada”
It sure is a logical defeat, But it is also a huge disappointment for Swiss football; We want to talk about the blow the national team received in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar. Because the style and above all the attitude did not exist. silly! Five days after his impressive qualifying victory against Serbia (3-2), Murat Yakin’s men really sank against Portugal, had a dry spell and looked 6-1. Humiliation – “demontada” – reveals in broad daylight – to those who have yet to see them – the limits of Swiss football. Yes, some will continue to point fingers at the coach’s (tactics) choices. But how do you get away with 10 ghostly men (only Brill Embolo did what was necessary against the Lusitanians), without desire, courage or attitude to a date like this? It’s the orchestra that was lamenting Lusail Stadium. Perhaps this is a very good opportunity for some of the actors to get down to earth.
Arnaud Cerutti – @arnaud_cerutti
