The Swiss team is well-structured but in the earlier matches the referees had tried to reduce obstructive and over-physical play. The earlier results meant that Switzerland had to win against England or the event would be a disaster.

The referee can have a huge impact on the outcome of a roller hockey match and its character. A clearly appropriate referee was appointed to this match and then changed the day before the match for someone regarded as “a local”. This changed the whole look and feel of the occasion from the hockey rink of Montreux to the bear pit of Bern. Why was this allowed?

Our work with the England team is not yet complete but the team can defend well and can produce excellent goals. In the match Switzerland went 2-0 into the lead but then James scored two great goals to level it. It was at this point that the referee came into his own.

Three penalties (making a total of four), one direct free-hit and plenty of cards against England. Just a little “peep” the other way. Was England doing anything worse than the Swiss? Should the penalties really have been penalties? Were there not at least equal reasons in the Swiss goal mouth? If you can get a video then please watch and post your considered opinions.

The predictable end-result -Eng 2 Swiss 5 – with the bear chained to his post but alive to hope that things will change one day. Ron Barker