FEUSISBERG – The wife of Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn was hospitalised Monday after an epileptic fit, casting a shadow over the national’s team final week of preparations for the European Championship.

The Swiss Football Association said Alice Kuhn had an acute loss of consciousness after her fit. She was admitted to a Zurich hospital, according to a statement.

About 20 kilometres south of Zurich, the Swiss team regrouped after a weekend off for a last week of training before kicking off Euro 2008 against the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Tranquillo Barnetta, the team’s creative force in midfield, said he was recovering well after injuring his ankle last month in a practice session.

“I’ve been off the foot and feel good,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marco Streller declined to revisit his announcement on Saturday that he would retire from the national team after the tournament ends June 29. Streller made the comments after fans booed him off the field in Switzerland’s 3-0 friendly victory over Liechtenstein at the weekend.

“I don’t want to talk about it all,” Streller said. What’s important is that we have success as a team and I’m looking forward to the Euro.”

Streller, however, was pleased with fans who greeted his arrival in the tiny hamlet of Feusisberg. One held up a poster that read: “Marco, stay in the national team!”

“The signs make me very happy,” said Streller, who had said he was fed up with the boos he has received.

Kuhn, however, did not arrive with the players. The football association said he would rejoin the team on Tuesday at the latest.

The scene Monday in front of the five-star Panorama Resort & Spa combined all the kitsch of a Swiss postcard, with hundreds of face-painted children gathering on green hills to waive flags and cheer as their idols signed autographs. Mooing cows could be heard in the background and, at one point, a local farmer delivered milk to the hotel in a wooden wheelbarrow.

Inside, the Swiss were being treated to some of the finest cuisine in the world. The Swiss national cooking team, which recently won the world championship at an event in Chicago, said it would serve up “modern Swiss food that is not too heavy”.

“We will make them a healthy buffet,” said Rolf Muerner, one of six chefs on the team.

[AP / Expatica]

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