Swiss Identity

Bacsinszky wins opening match at Wimbledon

This content was published on Jun 24, 2008 Bacsinszky won the 75-minute match by 7-5, 6-3 on Tuesday after making marginally fewer unforced errors and double faults. It is the second Wimbledon tournament for the 19-year-old from Lausanne. Last year she did not make it past the first round. So far this year she has reached the second rounds of Roland Garros and…

Culture

Homoki to head Zurich Opera House

This content was published on Jun 24, 2008 The board of directors said Homoki, current manager of the Komische Oper Berlin, will take over in 2012. They said they hoped Hungarian-born Homoki would continue Pereira’s successful era. The outgoing director has held the post since 1991. Homoki made a name for himself with productions at operas across Europe, including Paris, Geneva, Munich and…

Culture

“Last witch” to be declared innocent

This content was published on Jun 24, 2008 Regarded as the last witch to be executed in Europe, Göldi’s case in the village of Mollis in 1782 was a tragic illustration of religious fanaticism, superstition and the abuse of power. The case received renewed attention after local journalist Walter Hauser published a book last year presenting new evidence about the undue influence Göldi’s…

Demographics

Olympic committee is optimistic about Beijing

This content was published on Jun 23, 2008 Jacques Rogge was speaking at the opening of the committee’s SFr11 million ($10.5 million) new offices in Lausanne on Monday. Rogge said the building was a sign that the committee wanted to concentrate its activities in Lausanne. Sport Minister Samuel Schmid, present at the inauguration, described the new Pavilion multipurpose facility as “another pearl for…

Culture

Bullfighting is placed in the dock in Geneva

This content was published on Jun 23, 2008 On Monday a case against bullfighting and its supporters in Spain, France and Portugal was brought before the International Court of Justice for Animal Rights at a show trial held in Geneva. French President Nicholas Sarkozy and Spanish President José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero were two of the main personalities called to the dock, accused by…

Demographics

Federer wins opening match at Wimbledon

This content was published on Jun 23, 2008 He breezed past Slovakia’s Dominik Hrbaty 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Monday and will face Robin Söderling of Sweden in the second round. Federer, who aims for his sixth consecutive Wimbledon title, extended his unbeaten streak on grass to 60 matches. Patty Schnyder lost her opening match against Australia’s Casey Dellacqua by 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. Schnyder…

Demographics

More than football

This content was published on Jun 23, 2008 Red Star Bollwerk, Obstberg United, Traktor Biel are their opponents in the championship of the Alternative League in Bern. It is a self-governing organisation independent of the Swiss Football Association. Their motto is to have fun, play fair and enjoy each others company. (pictures: Severin Nowacki; texts: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo)

Federer seeks record sixth Wimbledon

This content was published on Jun 23, 2008 But no less an authority than Björn Borg wonders whether Federer, who beat world No. 272 Dominik Hrbaty in the first match on Centre Court, can hold off Spanish nemesis Rafael Nadal. Federer has faced world number two Nadal in the previous two Wimbledon finals – and it’s getting closer: they played four sets in…

Demographics

Spain beat Italy in penalty drama

This content was published on Jun 22, 2008 With the score remaining 0-0 after 120 minutes, Cesc Fabregas scored the deciding penalty in Vienna on Sunday to give Spain a 4-2 penalty shootout win and a spot in the semifinals. Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved penalties from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale. David Villa, Santi Cazorla, Marcos Senna also scored for…

Demographics

Swiss mountain bikers sweep the board

This content was published on Jun 22, 2008 Christoph Sauser came first with a lead of almost three minutes over Florian Vogel. In third place was Ralph Näf. Sauser covered the 40.66 km in 1 hour 58 minutes 26 seconds, averaging 20.6 kilometres per hour. The cross-country discipline is regarded as the most important in mountain biking.

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