24.03.2010
 
BREAKING NEWS: The team that won bronze is breaking up

Just under 5 weeks after winning the bronze medal at the olympic games in Vancouver, the Curling team of Skip Markus Eggler has decided to dissolve the team Basel Regio. Eggler and the number 4 player Ralph Stöckli (the two key players) will take a break from Curling for at least a year.

"Work and our families are the only reasons for Ralph and my decision" said Eggler, who met with the whole team on Tuesday evening in Bern. It is not yet clear, in what form and with which teams, Jan Hauser (Number 3) and Simon Strübin (Number 1) and Thomas Lips (Coach) will continue next season.

The temporary or possibly definitive resignation of Eggler and Stöckli very much weakens Swiss men's Curling. Both have not yet announced a definitive resignation, they will revalue the situation in a year. If they then decide to rejoin top flight curling, then the next goal would probably be the Wintergames in Sotschi.

"I certainly need a break now" said Stöckli. "In the last 8 years I have put a lot of time and effort into Curling. In order to compete at a world class level, you have to invest even more". Stöckli represented Switzerland once before, at the 2006 Olympic games, then playing with a St. Gallen team; In Turin he came 5th. The 33 year old is a PE-Teacher, young father and works full time as the head of education and junior development for the SWISSCURLING Association in Ittigen.

Markus Eggler is 41 years old and CEO of a printing plant in Birsfelden. In May he will be getting married. In order to be able to give 100% at the Wintergames in Vancouver, he had to go to great lengths to organize things at the office and to count on the understanding of his employees. He also needs to get some distance from the hectic world of top flight curling.
 
 
  3 comments
 
1.At 24.03.2010 Mike Herd wrote
 
Zur Bronzenen herzliche Gratulation, wenn auch verspätet.
Ich verstehe und respektiere Euren Entscheid. Es gibt schliesslich auch noch anderes als Curling. Für mich gibt es aber nur eine Schweizer Herren (National)mannschaft mit intern. Niveau, und das seid Ihr. Wünsche Euch auf Eurem weiteren Weg alles Gute und viel "Gfreuts".
Liebe Grüsse Mike aus St. Gallen
 
2.At 04.04.2010 justyna k wrote
 
first of alle i would like to congratulate a bronze medal at the Olimpics! I saw all games of your team in Vancouver and what's more, there would be a natural reaction if I will live in Switzerland but I come from Poland. and I'm a really big fan of this team and I hope that someday I'll see them in action again. but now I'm a bit shocked this information but from my side there's nothing else i can do, I just only wish You a lot of happiness and raturn to the game :)
greetings
justyna /cracow, Poland/
 
3.At 06.04.2010 Ellie wrote
 
As a fan, I'm truly sorry to hear about that decision but I understand what has lead to it. I hope both Ralph and Markus will be very happy with their lives but I also hope they'll get to miss curling enough to be back on track and to be hungry for even more victories.
From what I've seen on the ice, they seemed hungry for more.
Well... kudos for both of you, guys. Be happy, take care, get some rest and... I hope you'll be back in an year. If you decide to quit for good - thank you for everything!
 
 
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