Eleven months ago, the Swiss were jubilant: the handball team won the Yellow Cup for the first time since 2009. On the way to the title, coach Michael Suter's young team took out Slovakia, Romania and Brazil in turn.
But a lot has happened since the triumph - unfortunately not much good from a Swiss perspective. At least in terms of results. In the European Championship qualifiers, the national team finished bottom of the table, losing both the first and second legs against Germany, Slovenia, Portugal and Belarus.
But there is also reason for optimism. In the last qualifying match against European champions Germany in June, the national team put in a more than respectable performance. Although they lost 22:29 in front of 8,500 fans in Bremen, coach Suter was surprised after the game when he said: "Our many promising players still have potential to improve. Despite a very good performance over long stretches, we were nowhere near our limit today."
If they want to defend the title, the Swiss will have to push themselves to the limit. Because the opponents at this year's Yellow Cup are tough. They include Serbia - for whom the Yellow Cup is the last big test before the European Championships in January - second-placed Russia and Romania with its star coach Xavi Pascual.
Incidentally, this year is the last time the Yellow Cup will be held in Winterthur's Eulachhalle. After 46 years, the 47th edition will be held in the new Win4 ball sports arena in Winterthur.
46TH INTERNATIONAL YELLOW CUP
29-30.12.17, Eulachhallen Winterthur
TICKETS
