Defeat for Switzerland Against France in Friday’s Clash

U21 National Team Falls to French Favorites with 28:32

Friday evening in a packed arena in Kloten: Switzerland’s U21 national team faced off against the French squad as part of the Airport Trophy. With France coming into the game on the back of an impressive winning streak, they were clear favorites. For Switzerland, under the guidance of head coach Petr Hrachovec, the matchup was a chance to test themselves against a world-class opponent. Despite missing key players like Gino Steenaerts and Luca Sigrist, the Swiss team fought with determination and showed plenty of spirit.

First Half:

The game started with a strong opening by Swiss goalkeeper Mathieu Seravalli, who saved a French penalty right out of the gate. Shortly after, Nikos Sarlos found the net on a fast break, giving the hosts an early lead. But the French remained unfazed, immediately demonstrating their quality — particularly through playmaker Reyhan Zuzo and the towering Henri Kirtz, who quickly put the Swiss defense under pressure. After ten minutes, Switzerland held a narrow 7-6 lead.

The match remained tightly contested, with Levin Wanner injecting some much-needed pace and Sarlos continuing to convert from the seven-meter line. However, midway through the first half, the French ramped up the intensity. Zuzo repeatedly broke through the Swiss defense, netting his fourth goal just before the break. On defense, Dimitri Claude stood out, forcing several Swiss turnovers. Despite a timeout with Switzerland trailing 13-10, the momentum remained with France. At halftime, the Swiss were down 14-16.

Second Half:

France came out firing after the break, scoring into an empty Swiss net and forcing two quick turnovers courtesy of Claude and Zuzo to stretch the lead to 18-14. Switzerland struggled to cope with the aggressive French defense, losing possession repeatedly in the backcourt. Despite some strong saves from Seravalli, the defensive gaps allowed France to maintain control and extend their lead.

Hrachovec called another timeout in the 44th minute, with his team trailing 15-20, hoping to spark a comeback. But France remained dominant, with Zuzo emerging as the standout player, finishing the game with nine goals. French goalkeeper Noé Rataboul also stepped up in the closing stages, making several crucial saves. The French victory was never really in doubt as they maintained a steady lead, eventually closing out the game with a 32-28 win. Nikos Sarlos was Switzerland’s top performer, finishing with nine goals.

Outlook:

For Switzerland, the loss is far from the ideal start to the tournament. Next up is Spain, a game in which the team must improve significantly. Coach Hrachovec will need to focus on tightening the backcourt to cut down on turnovers and improve shot selection. For France, everything is going according to plan — their title aspirations remain very much alive, especially if they can replicate this performance against Germany on Saturday.