FIFA U-17 World Cup 2009 – News – Where are the Swiss conquerors now?

• Switzerland received the FIFA U-17 World Cup on 15 November 2009
• Where are these champions now?
• FIFA.com talks with coach Dany Ryser and defender Charyl Chapuis

‘They got here, they conquered, they by no means returned.’

This modified model of the nicely-recognized saying is slightly becoming for Switzerland, who received the nation’s first-ever international title at their historic maiden outing at a FIFA U-17 World Cup™ in 2009. Since lifting that trophy in Nigeria, nevertheless, the Swiss have by no means reached the match once more.

“Lots of things always just have to come together for Switzerland,” stated Dany Ryser in an interview with FIFA.com. Switzerland’s U-17 coach at the time, Ryser now works for UEFA and FIFA in coach training, and as a technical observer at tournaments. “You need to qualify in the first place after which there’s much more to do at the match itself. The dynamic we had in Nigeria hasn’t been repeated.”

That success in Africa lives on although. “Nice memories come to the surface every so often,” Ryser stated. “That win is talked about over and over again. They were unforgettable moments with the team during what was a long time in a very special environment. Such success would never have been possible without such a fantastic team spirit. After we beat Brazil in the group stage I felt that we could become world champions.”

Defender Charyl Chappuis likewise has fond reminiscences, as he informed FIFA.com: “It was probably the nicest period of my career. The conditions in Nigeria were undoubtedly special, but our togetherness and team spirit were unique.” And what did he make of Ryser? “I’ve by no means had one other coach who was so meticulous about particulars. He set us up completely to face the opposition in each recreation.”

But the place are these younger starlets now? Together with Ryser, we take a better look again on the key gamers from Nigeria 2009.

Benjamin Siegrist (goalkeeper, 28)

• Best goalkeeper at the match
• The Technical Study Group described him as “a goalkeeper with good reactions and positional play, wonderful on his line in addition to on crosses”
• Clubs embody: Aston Villa, Vaduz, Dundee United
• Took half at the 2012 Olympics

Ryser: “He was crucial for us. He saved us in numerous video games together with his saves. I seen him as a really centered younger goalkeeper again then. After that, his improvement didn’t proceed as we or he thought it might. The truth he went to England at a younger age actually contributed to him not having a vastly profitable profession, as a result of there’s monumental competitors for locations over there as a goalkeeper.”

Frederic Veseli (captain and defender, 27)

• Clubs embody: Manchester City, Manchester United, Lugano, Empoli, Le Mans
• National workforce: 29 caps for Albania
• Participated at EURO 2016 with Albania

Ryser: “He was my captain, an absolute chief. I knew he had a mistake in him in each recreation, however in any other case he was unbelievably dependable and really loyal. I’m delighted that he ended up taking part in at the European Championship in 2016, even when it was for Albania. He was very mature for a 17-yr-previous. I can nonetheless keep in mind very clearly how he reacted after we have been caught in the airport earlier than the closing towards Nigeria. He calmed me down by saying: ‘They won’t begin the closing with out us’. That was spectacular.”

Charyl Chappuis (defender, 28)

• Clubs embody: Grasshopper Club Zurich, Buriram United, Suphanburi, Muangthong United, Port
• National workforce: 20 caps for Thailand (5 targets)
• 2014 Southeast Asian Championship winner
• Social media star in Thailand (1.4m followers on Instagram)
• Rejected a proposal from Juventus after the U-17 World Cup

Ryser: “He was somebody who was not solely decisive in defence but additionally going ahead. I suggested him to maneuver to Thailand again when he did, however I regretted it as a result of he might even have had an awesome profession in Europe if his coaches had believed in him extra. Unfortunately, most Super League coaches didn’t need centre-backs smaller than 6’3” (1.90m) again then. It’s nice what he’s gone on to attain although. He’s a star in Thailand.”

Haris Seferovic (ahead, 28)

• Clubs embody: Grasshopper, Fiorentina, Real Sociedad, Eintracht Frankfurt, Benfica
• National workforce: 69 caps for Switzerland (19 targets)
• Participated at EURO 2016 and at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™

Ryser: “With Nassim Ben Khalifa and Haris Seferovic we had an impressive strike duo. But it wasn’t at all times simple with the two of them. They each performed at Grasshopper Zurich however they didn’t actually gel collectively. Neither needed the different to attain, they wouldn’t sq. a go to a workforce-mate in entrance of aim as a result of they needed to attain themselves. I talked to them and stated: ‘If you two keep this up, I’ll solely take one among you to the World Cup.’ Speaking to them individually, I requested them who they thought I might take. Both stated Ben Khalifa. Yes, Nassim was additional alongside in his improvement than Seferovic at the time, however I made it clear that if Seferovic was the just one placing the workforce first, then I’d go away Ben Khalifa at dwelling. Both gamers actually gave their all for the workforce at the match, they gelled brilliantly and scored decisive targets.”

Nassim Ben Khalifa (midfielder/ahead, 28)

• Clubs embody: Wolfsburg, Nurnberg, BSC Young Boys, Eskisehirspor, Grasshopper Club Zurich
• National workforce: Four caps for Switzerland (no targets)
• adidas Silver Ball winner as the second greatest participant at the U-17 World Cup 2009 (4 targets, three assists)

Ryser: “I always compared him to Mario Gotze. He had a superb tournament and joined Wolfsburg afterwards. He wasn’t able to break through there and then he had a serious injury. After that he was never again able to reach the level I saw in him.”

Granit Xhaka (winger/midfielder, 28)

• Clubs: Basel, Borussia Monchengladbach, Arsenal
• National workforce: 83 caps for Switzerland (12 targets)
• Participated at 2014 and 2018 World Cups, in addition to EURO 2016
• 2017 Swiss Player of the Year

Ryser: “He was a late developer and at the time he wasn’t the leader he is today in the national team. He wasn’t a first-team regular in the U-16s because he was physically still a bit behind the others. But to me it was always clear that he had a huge amount of talent. He only got into the starting line-up as the World Cup got closer. Given his slight frame I didn’t think he was robust enough yet to thrive in central midfield on the international stage. That’s why I put him on the wing. I’m not surprised he’s gone on to have such a great career, and I’m really happy for him.”

Ricardo Rodriguez (full-again, 28)

• Clubs: Zurich, Wolfsburg, AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Torino
• National workforce: 77 caps for Switzerland (eight targets)
• Participated at EURO 2016 and the 2018 World Cup

Ryser: “Ricardo only joined us a month before the tournament started because there had been delays with getting his naturalisation. I’ve never seen a player so unaffected by stress or pressure. He never lost his cool. He was an extraordinary player even back then.”