Jehle ends wait for Liechtenstein award

National team goalkeeper Peter Jehle has been voted Liechtenstein's footballer of the year for the first time.

Capped 108 times for his country, Jehle won the title at the Liechtenstein Football Association's LFV Awards ceremony in Triesen thanks to his strong performances for the national team and his club, FC Vaduz. He had previously been nominated five times.

"It's wonderful to be able to accept a prize like this," said the 32-year-old, whose club side won promotion to the Swiss Super League last year. "It is recognition for all the work I have done." Jehle won the vote despite suffering a tear in his biceps in the 0-0 UEFA EURO 2016 draw against Montenegro in October, which has sidelined him ever since.

Midfielder Dennis Salanovic, who moved to Club Atlético de Madrid's academy this year, won the young footballer of the year award. The 18-year-old made his breakthrough into the Liechtenstein senior national team in 2014.

Finally, specialist juries and fans voted Vaduz's promotion-winning Giorgio Contini coach of the year. Since making it to the top division in Switzerland in the summer, his team have gone on to pick up points regularly. Contini received his award from former Swiss national team coach Jakob 'Köbi' Kuhn.