Alumni Spotlight: Raphael’s (’20) Journey to the Swiss Cup Final

We take great pride in supporting students as they grow into well-rounded individuals, nurturing both their academic interests and their personal passions. One of our 2020 graduates, Raphael Radtke, is a shining example of this balance, as he continues to make his mark in both professional football and university life.

After graduating from ISZL with a clear ambition to pursue a career in football, Raphael joined FC Luzern and was part of their cup-winning team in 2021. Despite the success, he found himself wanting more from the game.

I was part of the cup-winning team but was unhappy with the amount of time I got to play on the field. This led me to seek out a new challenge, which I found in Biel and their club.

Around the same time, Raphael began studying Economics at the University of Bern. Balancing both academics and athletics was no small task, but it was one he felt prepared for thanks to his experience at ISZL:

During my time at ISZL, I learned how to structure my time and balance my studies and my ambitions on the football field. It was the school’s support and flexibility that enabled me to pursue my dream of living off football.

Now, after two and a half years with FC Biel, Raphael is experiencing a major career milestone: helping his team make Swiss football history.

By winning the semifinal of the Swiss Cup, we are the first third-tier team to reach the final in all of the 100 years the Cup has existed.

The final will be a particularly meaningful moment, as he takes the field against two important figures from his past.

In the final, I will be facing off against both my old coach (who won in 2021) as well as my old goalkeeper coach, who taught me most of what I know during my time at the academy.

Raphael’s story is one of hard work and determination, and a reminder that with the right support and a strong foundation, ISZL students can achieve extraordinary things.