Klose eyeing new Swiss peak

Timm Klose believes Switzerland should draw inspiration from their nation's FIFA U-17 World Cup win two years ago as they prepare to launch their challenge for Europe's Under-21 crown.

Four members of the squad that became only the third European winners of the U17 world title by beating Nigeria in 2009 have been drafted into Pierluigi Tami's selection. Klose told his team-mates they must follow the youngsters' example if they want to come close to emulating that achievement in Denmark.

"Our counterparts in the Under-17 team have shown that everything is possible if you work together as a team," said the 23-year-old centre-back. "You need a winning mentality. If you have that, anything is possible. We have to show more determination than our opponents."

The Swiss certainly proved themselves single-minded in qualifying, bouncing back from an early defeat at home to Estonia to pip Turkey to top spot in Group 2. Klose then featured in both legs as Tami's men clinched their place among the continent's elite with an emphatic 5-2 aggregate triumph over Sweden. Now he will pit his wits against the Swedes' Scandinavian neighbours and tournament hosts in Aalborg in their opening Group A fixture on Saturday.

"The first game is going to be really tough with them playing in front of their own fans," said the defender, who then goes up against Iceland before Switzerland round off their Group A campaign against Belarus. "I hope there will be enough Swiss to support us. We've prepared well for the game though. Now we have to focus on ourselves and pick up the three points."

History – if not the vast majority of the crowd – will be on Klose's side at kick-off, with Switzerland unbeaten against Denmark in U21 fixtures since 1985 and having lost just one of their nine previous meetings with the Danes at this level. The pair's last competitive U21 encounter came in qualifying for the 2000 finals, a game in which Hakan Yakin was among the scorers; coincidentally Klose credits Hakan's older brother and former Swiss international, Murat, with helping make him the player he is today.

"I think Murat Yakin has played the most important role in my career to date. He was my coach at FC Thun, he was a centre-back in the national team and is still a big figure in Swiss football," said Klose, who will join German club 1. FC Nürnberg after the tournament. "It's definitely a step up. I want to first get used to German football, and then play. To do that, I still have a lot of work to do."