Football in Liechtenstein
Encyclopedia
One of the most popular sports in Liechtenstein
is football. The country may not be very big, but in recent years the national football team from this tiny nation has made some remarkable results.
In the qualification for the World Cup in Germany
2006 they made two victories and 2 draws (2–2 against Portugal
and 0–0 Slovakia
). In the qualification for the EURO 2008 they made 7 points in a tough group with Spain
, Sweden
, Northern Ireland
, Denmark
, Latvia
and Iceland
.
. Club sides play in the Swiss leagues, with FC Vaduz
currently playing in the second highest Swiss division after going down in the 2008-2009 season. The tiny principality does have its own cup competition, the winners of which are guaranteed entry into the Europa League qualification.
Given their placement within the Swiss league system, it is perhaps unsurprising that FC Vaduz
have become the dominant force within the Liechtenstein Football Cup
, winning the last 11 competitions, dating back to the 96-97 when FC Balzers
won.
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked alpine country in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east. Its area is just over , and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan...
is football. The country may not be very big, but in recent years the national football team from this tiny nation has made some remarkable results.
National Football Team
Main Article: Liechtenstein national football teamLiechtenstein national football team
The Liechtenstein national football team is the national football team of Liechtenstein and is controlled by the Liechtenstein Football Association. The organisation is known as the Liechtensteiner Fussballverband in German. The team's first match was an unofficial match against Malta in Seoul, a...
In the qualification for the World Cup in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
2006 they made two victories and 2 draws (2–2 against Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and 0–0 Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
). In the qualification for the EURO 2008 they made 7 points in a tough group with Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
and Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
Domestic Football
Due to lack of active football teams, Liechtenstein is the only UEFA member nation not to have their own league and hence does not have any spots in the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. Club sides play in the Swiss leagues, with FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
currently playing in the second highest Swiss division after going down in the 2008-2009 season. The tiny principality does have its own cup competition, the winners of which are guaranteed entry into the Europa League qualification.
Given their placement within the Swiss league system, it is perhaps unsurprising that FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz
FC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
have become the dominant force within the Liechtenstein Football Cup
Liechtenstein football Cup
The Liechtenstein Football Cup is Liechtenstein's premier football competition, and has been organised annually by the Liechtenstein Football Association since 1946. The winner qualifies to take part in the UEFA Europa League....
, winning the last 11 competitions, dating back to the 96-97 when FC Balzers
FC Balzers
FC Balzers is a Liechtensteiner football team that plays in Balzers.Balzers play at Sportplatz Rheinau which is situated right next to the River Rhein next to the border with Switzerland where the town of Trübbach lies....
won.
Clubs
There are only 7 football teams in Liechtenstein. These teams are:- FC BalzersFC BalzersFC Balzers is a Liechtensteiner football team that plays in Balzers.Balzers play at Sportplatz Rheinau which is situated right next to the River Rhein next to the border with Switzerland where the town of Trübbach lies....
- FC TriesenFC TriesenFC Triesen is a Liechtensteiner football team that plays in Triesen. It is one of the seven official teams in the nation and it plays in the Swiss Football League in 4. Liga . The team annually competes in the Liechtensteiner Cup which was won by the team 8 times in its history...
- FC TriesenbergFC TriesenbergFußball Club Triesenberg is a Liechtensteiner amateur football team that plays in Triesenberg, Liechtenstein. It is one of the seven official teams in the nation. They play in the Swiss Football League in 2. Liga, which is the fifth tier...
- FC VaduzFC VaduzFC Vaduz is a Liechtenstein football club from Vaduz, that play in the Swiss Football League. The club plays at the national Rheinpark Stadion, which has a capacity of 6,127 when all seated but has additional standing places in the North and South ends of the ground, giving a total stadium capacity...
- USV Eschen/MaurenUSV Eschen/MaurenUSV Eschen/Mauren is a Liechtensteiner football club from Eschen and Mauren.They play at the Sportpark Eschen-Mauren, which used to be the national football stadium, until the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz was built. USV Eschen/Mauren, like all other Liechtensteiner teams, play in the Swiss Football...
- FC RuggellFC RuggellFC Ruggell is a Liechtensteiner amateur football team that plays in Ruggell. They currently play in the Swiss Football League, in 3.Liga, which is the sixth tier....
- FC SchaanFC SchaanFC Schaan is a Liechtensteiner football team that plays in Schaan. The reserve team is called Schaan Azzurri. It is one of the seven official teams in the nation and it plays in the Swiss Football League in 2. Liga, which is the fifth tier. The team annually competes in the Liechtensteiner Cup...