Serious things began on Thursday for the Swiss at the Euro which is being played in Switzerland, Austria and Hungary. After brilliantly passing the first round in front of their home crowd, in Basel, thanks to victories against the Faroe Islands and Croatia, they began the second phase of the competition, in Vienna, against Germany. And they lost 36-27.
The team coached by Knut Ove Joa, who is only participating in his second Euro, knew that this second round would be difficult against teams accustomed to major events.
Seventh in the last Euro, in 2022, and exits in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, the Germans proved it by escaping in the 11th minute (6-3). They then did not give up, even if the Swiss showed great determination, reaching half-time with only four goals behind (18-14).
-Under German pressure, this gap unfortunately increased to seven units at the start of the second period (21-15 in the 33rd). Defeat was looming for the Swiss and, despite constant resistance, it materialized as the minutes passed. This defeat with a nine-goal difference confirms the level of this second round where it will be very difficult to obtain a victory.
But it will perhaps be Saturday, still in Vienna, when Switzerland plays its second match, against Slovenia (3:30 p.m.).
