Zürich back among Europe's élite

FC Zürich are one of eight clubs making debuts in the UEFA Champions League group stage this season and, as part of a series of features on the competition's new boys, uefa.com runs the rule over Bernard Challandes' Swiss titleholders.

Who are they?
Formed: 1896
Nickname: Der Stadtclub (The City Club)
League titles: 12
Swiss Cups: 7

Zürich are one of the oldest clubs in Switzerland and their European pedigree extends beyond that of most UEFA Champions League debutants. The club have twice reached the semi-finals of the European Champion Clubs' Cup, losing to Real Madrid CF in 1964 and to Liverpool FC in 1977. During their golden era from 1963 to 1981, Zürich won seven titles and five Swiss Cups, but there were fallow times to come, most notably in 1988 when they were relegated to the second tier for two seasons. Zürich's renaissance has been in motion since they recaptured the Swiss crown for the first time in 25 years, in 2006. They have since been champions in two of the last three seasons, rubber-stamping their status as the country's dominant side by securing UEFA Champions League football.

One to watch 
Almen Abdi, 22, attacking midfielder
Abdi, who also holds Serbian citizenship, rose through Zürich's youth ranks and broke into the first team in 2006/07. Known primarily for his ability to tee up team-mates, Abdi also built a reputation in front of goal last term, finishing as the second-highest scorer in the league with 19 strikes. He added another in stoppage time of Zürich's play-off second-leg victory over FK Ventspils to put the gloss on his side's passage to the group stage.

Memorable match
FC Basel 1893 1-2 FC Zürich, Swiss Super League, 13 May 2006
Zürich have a litany of past successes behind them, but none so sweet as their title triumph of 2006 when, after a 25-year wait, the club wrapped up the league on the final day of the season with a late, late goal away to their arch-rivals. Iulian Filipescu got the winner in the third minute of added time at Basel's St. Jakob-Park to give Zürich a 2-1 victory and a tenth national championship.

Greatest player
Köbi Kuhn
Jakob 'Köbi' Kuhn, now 65, spent his entire career – barring a short stint with city rivals Grasshopper-Club – at Zürich, helping them land six titles and five cups between 1961 and 1977. The skilful midfielder turned down numerous offers to move abroad, thus becoming a club legend. He subsequently made a name for himself as a coach, taking Switzerland's national team to three successive major tournaments between 2004 and 2008 before being succeeded by Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Did you know?
Zürich's Letzigrund Stadium, rebuilt for UEFA EURO 2008™, is also the venue for the Weltklasse Zürich annual athletics meeting, which is part of the IAAF's famous Golden League. The event is sometimes referred to as the 'one-day Olympics'.