FC Vaduz Promoted to Top Level in Switzerland

**R�iteoir** · 13/05/2008, 10:19 PM

Liechtenstein will be represented in the top division in Switzerland for the first time next season after FC Vaduz secured promotion from the second tier.

No heartbreak
The tiny principality, with a population of just 35,000, is the only UEFA member nation without its own league, with Vaduz having played in the second division in Switzerland since 2001. The club have twice come close to promotion, losing play-off games against Neuch�tel Xamax FC and FC Schaffhausen in 2004 and 2005 respectively, but this season there was to be no heartbreak.

'Pure adrenaline'
A goalless draw at relegated FC Chiasso on Monday night ensured they will be promoted as league winners. "It was pure adrenaline until the last second, but my team coped with the pressure," said Vaduz coach Heinz Hermann, Switzerland's most capped player with 117 international appearances. "Winning promotion is of course a huge achievement for the club, but now we want to celebrate."

Annus mirabilis
It has already been a season of celebrations for Vaduz, with a 4-0 win against FC Balzers giving them their 37th Liechtenstein Cup � and their eleventh in a row � this season. It has also been a terrific season for the Liechtenstein national team, who enjoyed their best ever year with two wins and a draw in their UEFA EURO 2008� qualifying campaign.

Healthy budget
Vaduz may have looked like plucky underdogs in the Swiss Challenge League, but in fact they have the biggest budget of all their league rivals, thanks to a number of lucrative sponsorship deals. "Some people thought that we would have it much easier, but in the end it's the result that matters, and the result is the right one," said Vaduz president Hanspeter Negele.

'New foundations'
Credit goes to the club's sporting director Werner Gerber, who took over in April 2006 after guiding FC Thun to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. "I had to build new foundations and make it clear to everyone that they had to be dry before we could continue building on them," he said. Some canny signings, not least that of coach Hermann, paid off this season.

Specific rules
Vaduz's participation in the Swiss league does come with certain conditions. The Liechtenstein side will forego some income from TV and marketing deals and will pay a special fee to the Swiss Football Association to play in the top division, and they cannot be Swiss champions even if they win the league. Their only chance of competing in Europe will remain winning the Liechtenstein Cup.

About time too! Came close over the last few years - but this day finally has come as expected.

**rambler14** · 13/05/2008, 11:07 PM

Oh joy!

**Longfordian** · 14/05/2008, 11:52 AM

Met a lot of their directors when we were out there a few years ago. Sound lads, they're all minted as is the club itself. Pleased for them.

**Pauro 76** · 14/05/2008, 12:42 PM

Delighted for them. A bit of a rarity too to have a club from another country in a European league. There may be an exception to the rule somewhere in Europe, cant think where though.

**willymccann** · 14/05/2008, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by PAURO 7

Delighted for them. A bit of a rarity too to have a club from another country in a European league. There may be an exception to the rule somewhere in Europe, cant think where though.

Cardiff perhaps

**pineapple stu** · 14/05/2008, 4:28 PM

Where's mypost?

**Longfordian** · 14/05/2008, 6:09 PM

Christ, dont start him off again Stu. I'd blissfully forgotten about his views on that club.

**holidaysong** · 15/05/2008, 11:32 AM

I did this years ago in Football Manager.

**R�iteoir** · 15/05/2008, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Where's mypost?

That was one reason behind posting this - to show him up for the misguided unknowledgable fool he is.

Also - as I'm a follower of FCV - wrote to the club a couple of years back for some info on getting a jersey from them - they sent me back a lovely letter and a squad poster signed by all the players.

Had that framed and it now hangs in my office at work.

(I'll be making a visit to the country when I go over for the Euro 08 Semi Final next month - gonna try to get a look around the Rhinepark Stadion)

**holidaysong** · 15/05/2008, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by R�iteoir

That was one reason behind posting this - to show him up for the misguided unknowledgable fool he is.

Also - as I'm a follower of FCV - wrote to the club a couple of years back for some info on getting a jersey from them - they sent me back a lovely letter and a squad poster signed by all the players.

Had that framed and it now hangs in my office at work.

(I'll be making a visit to the country when I go over for the Euro 08 Semi Final next month - gonna try to get a look around the Rhinepark Stadion)

Liechtenstein is top of my list of countries to visit (I'm always praying to get them in Euro/WC draws). I assume you have read 'Stamping Grounds' by Charlie Connolly? One of my favourite books - I must have read it six times at this stage.

**Longfordian** · 15/05/2008, 3:14 PM

I had a great time over there.I was there four days. Vaduz was good craic though quite small, the scenery is great, the people are very friendly and the club itself are very obliging. You should have no bother getting in for a look around, it's a fine little ground, well laid out and everything is in top class condition as you would expect from an international ground.