Our Faker's Guide series will give you the scoop from the loudspeaker of the city’s most committed soccer (or footie) savants as they get ready to root their national team on to glory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The plus side for the soccer uninitiated is that, right here, you'll find all you need to sound in the know.
With our own national team staying home as per usual, Toronto comes alive with international allegiances from frenzied football supporters. In this instalment of our Faker's Guide, we spotlight Switzerland: land of neutrality, watches, cuckoo clocks and cowbells. We will now turn it over to Ernst Notz, President of the Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Swiss Cultural Association, who is organizing events for Switzerland's next two games at The Rushton. This is a condensed version of our conversation.
If you could describe how big a football fan you are in one memory, what would it be?
I have played soccer all my life. I’m 69 now…I must have played probably 50 years…I played in Switzerland through the junior years and then at quite a high level, during that time I broke my leg. Then I obtained a coaching degree. It’s a professional thing in Switzerland.
How far back does your fandom go?
1954 when the World Cup was in Switzerland. That’s just about the time that the television came out. We were watching the game black and white at the time, and the Swiss did pretty well. The final was the famous 3-2 Germany against Hungary. 2-0 at half time and then losing 3-2.
What are Switzerland's actual chances this year?
Hopefully they make it through the group stage. They have, of course, very tough opponents: Ecuador, France and Honduras. If the Swiss win the first game against Ecuador, they have a chance because they always play well against France. Of course France is the favourite in the group — they have outstanding players.
What is the nickname of the team?
We don't really have one. We would have to invent one.
What should I never say about Swiss footballers?
I don’t think we are wimps like the Italians. They are very theatrical, so don’t compare us to them.
What is the drink of choice for a true Swiss football fan?
The drink of choice is Swiss cow milk from the mountains [laughs]. After the game, if we won it’s beer, of course.
Who are the best players that I can recognize and sound like I know what I'm talking about?
It’s pretty tough to say, but it’s [Xherdan] Shaqiri probably.
And who are some of the old guys that I can make fun of?
Well, I think there’s nobody older than 30. Maybe [Diego] Benaglio, the goalkeeper.
Who is their arch nemesis?
When we play Germany. We’re not in the same group, but when we play Germany, we always want to win. You could write for fun that Switzerland has 26 cantons, like provinces, but the biggest rivalry is the 27th canton north — that would be Germany.
What is the big question mark going into this World Cup?
Actually, four years ago they seemed to be all defence. Remember four years ago we were the only team beating the World champions, Spain. We beat them in the group stage 1-0. We have a good defence, but now we are pretty balanced. We have a good mid-field and forwards who really can score.
What's the best spot to watch a Switzerland game here in Toronto?
I know this because I organized it. We did this four years [ago] and we do it again. We invited the Ecuadorian consulate here in Toronto and I went to see some restaurants and some fan groups for Honduras and France… the first game against Ecuador we [went] to the Distillery District, Mill Street Brewery. The second and third games against France and Honduras, we go to The Rushton on St. Clair.
What should I be shouting during the match?
We have a lot of songs. As you know we have four languages… we use a lot of cowbells.
If they win, do I sing some sort of song or just high five people?
We’ll yell “Hopp Schwiiz” or “Allez la suisse!”
What should I wear?
It depends whether we are hosting — whether we are the team that is named first. I have to find out whether it's in white t-shirt and red pants, or the other way around: red t-shirt and white pants. I have both so, whatever, I'm ready to go.
How will I recognize and approach other legitimate Swiss football fans?
Oh, you hear them and see them… the cowbells might give it away.
