Natty team celebrates their best defeat yet

memorable

November 16, 2005: Switzerland defeated Türkiye 2-4 to qualify for the World Cup in Germany. The game went down in history as the “Shame of Istanbul” as Turkey attacked Switzerland after the final whistle.

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There was no time for celebrations and certainly no handshakes – even though Switzerland qualified for the World Cup for the first time in twelve years with a 2-0 home win and a 2-4 defeat in Türkiye.

When Belgian referee Frank de Blikker blew the whistle for Barrage's second-leg tie at Istanbul's Suklu Sarakolu Stadium, the Natty heroes sprinted away as if their lives depended on it. Head towards the catacombs. Get out of here. This will be a challenge.

TV viewers couldn't believe their eyes. In a wild hunting scene, the Turks chase the Swiss across the fields. A Turkish supervisor tripped Valon Behrami as he entered the tunnel entrance, and Emre grabbed a Swiss man by the collar. Stefan Gritin was kicked in the abdomen and had to be taken to hospital. Finally, Benjamin Hugel came running from behind to avenge his colleague.

'They beat us'

Turkish center back Alpay kicked Marco Strehler in the thigh from behind. The approaching Hugel then grabbed Alpe's neck and fell to the ground. The fight then continued in the tunnel. Philipp Degen ran away during an interview with ARD. He was also beaten as the cameraman panned into the fight.

Turkish security forces either stopped or intervened. Only Bundesliga professionals Hammett, Khalil Altintop and Yildire Basturk rushed to the Swiss team and escorted them out of the woods. “They beat us,” Raphael Wicki said later. Kobe Kuhn talks about “persecution coming right into the cabin.” Beni Huggel is annoyed with himself: “Now I could be banned for a hundred years.”

It wasn't until two hours after the game that the Swiss – including Gritting, who returned from hospital with a catheter after suffering a ruptured urethra – could finally celebrate. A huge World Cup party is taking place at their luxury hotel on the shores of the Bosporus. Only one person didn't quite like the feeling. Alex Frei sat alone in an armchair in a hotel lobby and asked himself, “How could this happen?”

The Swiss players reached safety and Emre, wearing a gray tracksuit, caught them.Image: KEYSTONE

The whistle of Swiss fans was the trigger

It all started at the start of the first leg at the Swiss Stadium in Bern. The Turkish national anthem was completely lost in a concert of shrill whistles from Swiss fans. This is certainly not a good idea for the Turks, and it is also an unparalleled provocation.

Switzerland won the game 2-0 with goals from Felipe Senderos and Valon Behrami, and the taunts ensued. When Ludovic Magnin wanted to throw the ball in front of the Turkish bench, the second ball suddenly rolled past him. Romande stopped him and acted as if he wanted to push him to the bench with all his strength. But he stepped over it.

After the game, the first exchange of fists and kicks occurred. Turkish players tripped Senderos and coach Fatih Terim attacked Alex Frei. Things got messy. Both sides attacked each other, and “half-truths” spread. Trim did not attend the press conference because he apparently could not find his way around. Or is this disrespectful? Natty coach Kobe Kuhn spoke for most when he said, “I don't know what the hell happened.”

Turkish media happily reports on these events and stirs up emotions. By playing up your opponent's alleged provocations, you believe you can help your team and fans become more motivated. “Kadikoy (the area where the Şükrü-Saracoğlu Stadium is located, editor’s note) will become a cauldron,” the Hürriyet newspaper announced.

“Welcome to Hell”

Two days after the 2-0 win, Switzerland flew to Istanbul. At Ataturk Airport, the national team had their first taste of what awaited them later at the stadium. Upon arriving at the Finger Pier, they were greeted by Turkish battle cries from airport staff. The Swiss were stopped as they entered the country; a customs officer checked Alex Frey's passport in a separate booth for 21 minutes before he finally let the irate striker through.

When Köbi Kuhn passed through customs, he was soon no longer alone. Fans – no matter where they came from – waved Turkish flags in front of the Swiss coach, climbed onto the baggage carousel, raised their hands and shouted “Five, five, five!” The message was clear: “You Swiss are going to lose.” Five goals.” Kuhn only smiled tiredly. After a total of two and a half hours, the Swiss delegation finally entered the arrivals hall.

Turkish fans gave Swiss team an uncomfortable reception at Ataturk Airport.Image: eq image

Things got even more uncomfortable there. One poster said “Welcome to Hell” and the next said “Fuck Switzerland”. Trim's close enemy Frei received a particularly warm welcome: the note read “Hurren Son Frei”.

Whistles, chants and threats from Turkish fans: the atmosphere was intense. On the way to the Kempinski Hotel, the bus was pelted with eggs, tomatoes and stones. “I've never experienced anything like this,” Alex Frey said. “But we must not allow ourselves to be intimidated.” The training scheduled for the evening was still cancelled.

Strehler's greatest deeds

Despite – or perhaps because of – these previous incidents, the Swiss were wide awake when the game kicked off on Wednesday night in front of 40,000 enthusiastic fans. Less than a minute into the game, the Swiss team was awarded a penalty for a handball in the penalty area. Alex Frey sank the ball and the Turks now needed four goals.

But after the leadership, Switzerland suddenly lost its sovereignty. Before halftime, the Turkish team turned the situation around with Tuncaj's brace. Shortly after the game restarted, Necati took a penalty kick to make the score 3-1, and the game was in danger of overturning.

But in the 84th minute, substitute Marco Streller, who had previously taken a penalty, was probably the highlight of his life. After Tolga's candle, Frey launched his fellow striker, who was able to move towards goalkeeper Volkan alone. Streler confidently bypassed the score and made it 2:3. The Turkish team extended their lead to 4:2, but the Swiss team saved the lead and sprinted hard.

Strehler celebrated after Natty's all-important goal.Image: KEYSTONE

Happy Bus

Of course, FIFA is dealing with the “humiliation of Istanbul.” “We will take action and take tough action. Fair play has been trampled on,” Sepp Blatter said. “I'm not telling you this as a Swiss, but as a FIFA president. you. “

In February 2006, the verdict was announced, which was a remarkable thing. The Turkish association was fined 220,000 francs. The next six home games will be played at neutral sites and without fans.

Turkish leaders Arpai and Emre will each be suspended for six games and fined 16,000 francs each. Serkan Balci must attend two competitive matches and pay 5,500 francs. Assistant coach Mohamed Ozdirek has been banned from all football-related activities by FIFA for twelve months.

Hugel becomes scapegoat

Benjamin Huger was also sentenced to a mandatory break of six international games. A further fine of 15,500 francs was imposed. Physical therapist Stephen Meyer was also punished. He was suspended for two games and fined 7,000 francs.

Both associations subsequently felt that FIFA had treated them unfairly. Hugel, who will therefore miss the 2006 World Cup in Germany, also struggled with the verdict: “What bothers me the most is that the Turkish players received the same punishment as me. I think they did something worse than me.”

Benjamin Hugel leaves the FIFA main building through the back door after the hearing.Image: KEYSTONE

The then Bundesliga legionnaire was asked if he regretted what he had done. “Yes and no,” Hugel said. “Of course, objectively I regret this behavior because it deprived me of the opportunity to play in the World Cup. Subjectively, it's a reflex that can happen to anyone.” Later, his ban – as The ban on Turks is the same – it will be reduced. “Pawn Sacrifice” Huger had to play four rounds in the end.

The Basel native returned to his country for the 2008 European Championships, but he didn't stand a chance. He had to sit on the bench and watch as Turkey beat Switzerland 2-1 with a last-minute goal in the “Rain Battle in Basel” to avenge a defeat in the 2005 barrage that saw the host team eliminated. Out. Throw early.

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