Swiss medal dream ends in the round of 16

Alexis Bayard, Max Heinzer and Lucas Malcotti were dreaming of a European Championship medal. It would have been the crowning glory for Heinzer, who draws a line under his successful career in Basel.

But the crowning glory in the form of a medal failed to materialize. The Swiss trio were defeated by the Netherlands in the round of 16 in extra time on Saturday. Although the Swiss showed a heroic comeback and saved themselves after trailing 18:30 into extra time, Tristan Tulen then scored the decisive goal against Bayard.

Heinzer was convincing in the last competition of his career and kept Switzerland in the fight with a strong performance. However, the 36-year-old was unable to prolong the competition and thus his career.

For Heinzer, this marks the end of a career that has brought him a total of 19 European Championship and World Championship medals.