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LIVERPOOL FC: SWISS FANS MEET RAFA AND THE BOYS

Members of the Official Swiss Branch of the Liverpool Supporters Club were out in force this week to make what has become an annual pilgrimage to the training camp in Interlaken.

/noticias.info/ The group of ardent fans, fronted by president Florian Thurler, met boss Rafael Benitez and his players ahead of their morning session to chat and pose for pictures.

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The supporters' club formed in 1997 when Florian got together with a handful of friends and since then it has stretched throughout the country to develop into one of the most passionate fan clubs in Europe.

"It's great when the team comes to Interlaken because we get a rare chance to watch the players train," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Obviously we can't come over to England every week to watch them but, even if we did, Melwood is closed. So, this is very special for us.

"I think it suits the manager and the players too because they don't get overwhelmed by spectators, everyone is quite relaxed and it's a nice quiet environment for them to prepare for the new season."

As president of the club, Florian is responsible for helping to organise tickets to matches at Anfield and tries to ensure each member of the group has an opportunity to visit L4, atr least once every season.

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"We meet up quite regularly and watch matches and hold meetings but we only get to go to Anfield about two times a year at the most," he said.

"I think the next time we will attend a match will be on October 18 against Wigan. There will be about 20 of us going over to Merseyside and already we can't wait for it.

"Some people just want to go to the big games against Manchester United, but that's not the case for us because just going to the ground and seeing the Reds play against any side is a special occasion."

Florian's love affair with Liverpool began back in 1977 when he saw the Reds lift the European Cup for the first time - beating Swiss opponents FC Zurich in the semi-finals along the way - and since then it has been one of the main passions in his life.

"It all started when the likes of Kevin Keegan were happily destroying the best defences in Europe," he recalled with a laugh.

"I was a young boy then and I was overwhelmed by the brilliant football of Paisley's team.

"The European Cup final in Rome was a spectacular game to watch and after that it became my ambition to see them play at Anfield - a dream I realised in 1989 when we beat Everton.

"Over the years I've grown more and more enchanted by the type of football we play and the camaraderie of the supporters.

"Being at Anfield on a matchday is just fantastic and I always say I can never pick out a favourite match because, like I said before, every occasion the Reds play at home is special". notas_de_prensa_archivo