Country: Switzerland Caps (Goals): 56 (32) DOB: 15/07/1979 Club: Borussia Dortmund, Germany Position: Striker Shirt number: 9 Hopes After Injury Alexander Frei will be looking to shrug off his injury-filled season when he participates in EURO 2008. The Switzerland skipper, who plays for German side Borussia Dortmund, missed much of the Bundesliga campaign after undergoing hip surgery last summer. He returned in the latter stages and managed to impress, netting six goals in eight league games for Dortmund. Frei will be also seeking a personal achievement. He is just two short of becoming Switzerland's all-time goal-scorer. Kubilay Turkyilmaz holds the current record of 34 goals. International Career Frei's first major tournament with his national team was the EURO 2004 in Portugal; but he was heavily criticized for spitting at England midfielder Steven Gerrard in a group match. The 28-year-old escaped punishment despite being caught on camera. Frei took part in the World Cup two years later. He put in some fine displays, scoring two goals to help Switzerland reach the second round. Club Career After spells with local clubs Basel, Thun, Lucerne and Servette, Frei made his name with French Ligue1 side Stade Rennes after joining in 2003. Frei finished as the Ligue1 top scorer in the 2004-2005 season with 20 goals. He was also named as the Swiss footballer of the year. The following season, Frei's campaign was hampered by injuries as he only managed to score seven goals. In June 2007, Frei moved to Dortmund on a four-year deal for nearly five million Euros. He impressed immediately, notching 16 goals in the 2006-2007 season to finish as the club's top scorer and help Dortmund survive relegation. Qualities Frei is a deadly finisher. His scoring rate for Dortmund and Switzerland is quite impressive. He is difficult to mark as he can score from the tightest of angles.
