publishedJul 12, 2022 at 4:24 am
The football operation in Switzerland will have a new member starting next season. The Helvetic Guards will represent Switzerland in the new European League of Football.
Numerous teams in Europe are there.
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From next year there will also be a Swiss team, the Helvetic Guards. We spoke to GM Toni Zöller.
Helvetic Guards
The European League of Football continues to expand. Since 2021, the league has been trying to transfer the NFL’s million dollar business to Europe. So far, the game has been played in twelve different cities in five different countries. From the coming season, Switzerland will also be there. The name of the new team: the Helvetic Guards. The team should represent the whole of Switzerland. When the logo was announced, those responsible wrote: “Swiss people have always been known as feared fighters and have achieved a special reputation through their toughness, loyalty and reliability.”
The game is to be played in Zurich, even if the stadium is not yet fixed, as General Manager Toni Zöller says in an interview with 20 minutes: “Negotiations are currently underway. But I can say with certainty that it won’t be the Letzigrund or the Schützenwiese.” Those responsible for the guards are hoping for between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators in the premiere season next year: “We want a boiler feeling, a great atmosphere.” But many spectators would not only be important for the atmosphere. Zöller explains: “Ticketing is an important part of financing the team. But of course we expect less.”
Games on free TV
The team, which consists of 50 players, will be largely made up of Swiss people. 45 actors should come from their own country, as Zöller explains. Attempts are being made to bring active Swiss footballers back from other countries. But Zöller also says: “It will also affect the Swiss teams in the short term. They will certainly lose players.” There are currently six teams in the Swiss National League A. Zöller therefore understands the fear of some teams. “But there are also teams that see it positively. It’s certainly proud when your player can be seen on free TV and plays at the highest European level,” says the 25-year-old. In addition, according to statements by the general manager: “Many players will not make it into the definitive squad. But they will train at the highest level and return to their teams at a higher level.”
Despite television games and matches in various European countries, most Swiss players will not be able to make a living from football alone. “We cannot offer the same to Swiss people who are fully employed and have a good salary. But we want to set it up in such a way that it will change in a few years. Despite this fact, numerous players have already reported to the team. Zöller says: “We have received an incredible number of messages from players.” No player has been included in the squad yet. Those responsible for the sporting area are currently working at all levels. There will also be a public training session in October. “Everyone can come and show themselves,” says Zöller.
The franchise plans for Switzerland are big. In order to include all parts of the country, there is already the idea that home games will be held in several parts of Switzerland from the second year. “However, an infrastructure must first be created,” says Zöller. Incidentally, an existing infrastructure was deliberately avoided. The 25-year-old explains: We didn’t want old rivalries to play a role.”
Although the Guards operate in Switzerland, the Swiss Football Association was not informed for the first time. After the announcement, he said: “We found out regarding the arrival of the Helvetic Guards in Zurich at the same time as the general public via social media.” Zöller faces up to this criticism: “There were one or two small hints. But we were bound by secrecy.” However, the cooperation will certainly be intensified now. The Football Association looks positively to the future: “We look forward to working with the Helvetic Guards and the ELF to drive further growth of the game in Switzerland and in Europe as a whole.”