Alexander Frei

Into the Frei

Swizterland's Alexander Frei celebrates after scoring against Israel during their 2006 Soccer world Cup qualifying round match 03 September 2005, at the Sankt Jakob Stadium in Basel. AFP PHOTO OLIVIER MORIN.

Defences need to be as tightly locked as the vaults of a Swiss bank when Rennes striker Alexander Frei is on the pitch, top marksman in France in 2005 and an international average of a goal every two games for Switzerland.

"Alex is not the biggest, the tallest, nor the fastest, but he's always there, always scores," says his international teammate Ricardo Cabanas.

Making his debut for Switzerland in March 2003 the goal hound says he models himself on legendary Dutch master Marco van Basten no less.

He's been playing in France since January 2003 where he has made a fearful name for himself after playing with Basel, Thun, Lucerne and Servette Geneva back home, picking up a Swiss Cup in 2001.

He struggled in his first half season at Rennes but the following year he found his feet and indeed his scoring boots and in March 2004 hit four goals in a match against Marseille and their unfortunate goalkeeper France international Fabian Barthez.

Spitting with rage

England's forward Wayne Rooney (L) vies with Switzerland's forward Alexander Frei, 17 June 2004 at Coimbra stadium, during their Euro 2004 group B football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV

He was France's second top scorer with 20 that season and went into Euro 2004 with his confidence sky high.

But not only did Switzerland crash out in the first round Frei picked up a three-match ban for spitting on England's Steven Gerrard.

Back in Switzerland the spitting incident was very poorly received but the striker showed a great sense of humour and won back a few fans there by sponsoring the upkeep of a Lama at the Basel zoo.

Rennes' forward Alexander Frei (L) heads the ball and scores a goal in despite of Ajaccio's midfielder Nicolas Bonnal (R) opposition during their French L1 football match, 22 January 2005 at the "Route de Lorient" stadium in Rennes. AFP PHOTO VALERY HACHE

And he continued to get on the scoresheet at Rennes helped on my partner in crime Olivier Monterrubio in both the league, where he got 20 goals, and in the UEFA Cup.

"I love to slip the ball between the last defender and the goalkeeper because I know for sure Alex will be there," says Monterrubio.

Switzerland's Alex Frei (L) vies with Turkey's Alpay Ozalan during a WC2006 play off first leg soccer qualifying match Switzerland vs Turkey, 12 November 2005 at Switzerland's stadium in Bern. AFP PHOTO FABRICE COFFRINI

The Swiss striker's spirits were in top form that year, but the following season started out in nightmare fashion as the goals dried up at club level.

Frei was almost invisible until grabbing a crucial goal in Switzerland's play off match in Turkey that qualified them for the 2006 World Cup, despite the 4-2 defeat on the night and the ensuing all in fight between the two teams that followed the final whistle.

Out in Germany Frei will be hoping to make amends for his spitting crime at the Euro 2004, hopes that the nation willl also be pinning on him.