Young Boys up for Everton test

Everton FC fans expecting a men-against-boys encounter in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 will do well to check out BSC Young Boys' home record in Europe this season.

Since crashing 5-3 to Everton's neighbours Liverpool FC in the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League group stage, Young Boys have won their last seven continental home fixtures. In their five home games this term, they have scored 13 goals and conceded just one.

"We want to give our fans some magnificent memories," said boss Uli Forte ahead of their 2-0 group stage success against SSC Napoli, and the target now is to give the people of Merseyside another reason to think of Switzerland and shudder – with Liverpool's early exit from the UEFA Champions League having been down to losing the battle for second place in their section with FC Basel 1893.

Founded in 1897, YB's unusual English name was given to them by founders Hermann Bauer, Franz Kehrli and brothers Max and Oscar Schwab – students at the University of Berne who seemingly took inspiration from watching Basel's similarly-monikered BSC Old Boys in action. Eleven-time Swiss champions, they employed a number of English coaches in their early years, and have connections to England still – their Swiss international right-back Scott Sutter was born in Enfield and grew up supporting Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Scott Sutter was born and raised in England©AFP/Getty Images

"It's very relaxed over here – people are friendly and willing to help and are always polite and say 'good morning'," Sutter said of his Swiss experience. "Everything is very organised also, which is good to an extent unless, for example, you park your car in the wrong place."

More dangerous than Switzerland's parking attendants is YB's former France striker Guillaume Hoarau, the cutting edge of their 4-2-3-1 formation since arriving as a free agent in the summer. Five goals in the group stage reflect the ex-FC Girondins de Bordeaux man's effectiveness, and indeed the quality of the supporting work put in by wingers Renato Steffen and Raphaël Nuzzolo. At the back, Swiss international Steve von Bergen and Milan Vilotić anchor defence, though the Serbian offers plenty going forward too – he has scored four league goals this campaign.

Sporting director Fredy Bickel is pleased the Stade de Suisse outfit have the opportunity to strengthen their British ties. "Everton are a club steeped in tradition with lots of fans," he said of the nine-time English champions. "They are an attractive team to face. We hope we'll be able to count on our fans once again for the game in Berne and that it will be a great occasion."

Nonetheless, it is no great secret that the team YB really wanted to face were on the other side of the Alps in Italy. "Maybe our players are a little disappointed that I couldn't totally fulfil their expectations," Bickel smirked. "Ahead of the draw, they told me my mission was to come back with Inter Milan as our opponents. Still, I think they are very happy to be facing Everton." Not least as there is always a chance they will get FC Internazionale Milano in the next round.