Alexander Frei’s Hometown Dream Ends

June 7th, 2008 | By: chris | 6 Comments »

Sadly, it will become one of the defining images of this tournament: Alexander Frei limping off the pitch in tears in his hometown of Basel, his European experience as a host finished because of torn ligaments in his knee. Worse yet, Switzerland played like victors, but ended the game with a loss, sending their knockout hopes into further disarray, a cruel post even failing to offer up the consolation of a draw. There could be no better example of adding insult to injury.

MRI results recently released show the ligaments and gave confirmation on what everyone knew, that Frei’s tournament was over just 44 minutes into the games. Switzerland’s all time goal leader and captain will have to be replaced, though the possibility of anyone approaching his contributions are slim and none. Kobi Kuhn agrees, and says this is nothing short of a disaster:

“It is a shock, a disaster to lose our captain in the first game…..This is football.”

Unfortunately it is football, a game which can be very, very cruel. Frei worked long and hard to get back to form and fitness this year after losing so much time with Borussia Dortmund due to injuries, giving him the chance to play at home. Now his dream is over, and a long road is ahead.

Perhaps he can look to the story of Václav Svěrkoš, as painful as it may be, for inspiration. Two years ago he lost his son and went on a long stretch without any on field productivity, understandably so. Now, in his first ever competitive cap for the Czech Republic, he’s the hero. After the goal he kissed his tattoo emblazoned with his son’s name, Maxim. No one in the stadium today deserved that goal more.

Here’s to a speedy recovery for Alexander.



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Comments
Username By AJ | June 7th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
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It’s a shame that Swizterland were not given that penalty call. They definitely played the better game. Kudos.

Posted from Canada Canada

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Username By Ian Rose | June 7th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
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Well done to the Swiss on their style of play. They weren’t afraid of the Czechs, and really did make the better chances. But they didn’t finish, and they let one chance go through, which is all it takes sometimes. Terrible day for Frei. I feel for him. Heal up soon, Alex.

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Username By Jan | June 8th, 2008 at 2:15 am
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If Switzerland plays the way they played yesterday (keeping the same players except for Streller) they can defeat Turkey and Portugal. But it’s going to be hard.

Posted from Italy Italy

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Username By Phil | June 8th, 2008 at 10:30 am
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One of my favorite players, pure class, great skill. He will be missed. Get better for next season and WC 2010 Alex!!

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Username By Jan | June 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
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It was his chance to shine and perhaps move to a team with more ambition than Borussia Dortmund. I would see him in teams like Fiorentina, Roma and Naples.

Posted from Italy Italy

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Username By NG | June 9th, 2008 at 7:35 am
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Except that Alexander has dealt with a lot of loss too… more than just football… and he deserved this too

Posted from United States United States

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