When Middlesbrough take on Grasshoppers in Zurich tomorrow, they will encounter a side bereft of Switzerland's biggest stars. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson talks to former Grasshoppers and Sunderland defender Bernt Haas to find out.

GIVEN that Switzerland's most successful team is named Grasshoppers, it should be no surprise that the country's footballers are prone to taking flight.

An entire generation of Swiss players have honed their skills in the nation's Super League, only to leave for more competitive climes at the earliest opportunity.

The situation is repeated in countless countries throughout the world, simultaneously helping and hindering the footballing infrastructure of the host state.

On the international stage, Switzerland has benefited from a number of its leading players playing abroad. The likes of Philippe Senderos (Arsenal) and Johann Vogel (AC Milan) have taken their side to a World Cup play-off after furthering their development abroad.

But, back at home, the Swiss league continues to suffer from a dearth of world-class talent and a lack of sustained competition.

When a club like Grasshoppers, who boast 27 Swiss titles and 18 Swiss Cups, enter Europe, they do so with limited expectations of beating the best.

"In many ways, the Swiss league is just like the Scottish one," explained Bernt Haas, a defender who spent the first eight years of his career with Grasshoppers, before going on to play with Sunderland, West Brom and French side, Bastia.

"The same teams challenge for the title year after year and there is no strength in depth.

"The championship is often decided by two or three games a season and that is not a healthy situation for a player who wants to improve.

"There are obviously financial reasons for moving abroad as well, but they were not the main thing that concerned me and I honestly don't think they are the main things that concern Swiss players playing abroad today.

"As a professional, you want to be tested and you want to play against the best. You still can't do that by staying in the Swiss league."

Haas' experience is symptomatic of the growing divide that is polarising the European game.

As a promising youngster, he helped Grasshoppers win four league titles and even played for the Zurich-based side in the first group stage of the Champions League.

But, by the time he was 22, he had achieved everything he deemed possible in his home land.

Sunderland came calling, and another promising Swiss youngster was on his way out of the country.

"I moved to Sunderland because I had achieved everything I could in Switzerland," said Haas. "Even today, most young Swiss players quickly find themselves making the same decision.

"I spent eight years playing for Grasshoppers and they were some of the happiest years of my career. We won four titles during my time there and enjoyed a sustained period of success.

"But there comes a time in your life when that is no longer enough. You want more, and you move abroad to get it."

The current Grasshoppers side is hampered by the same migration of talent and, while the other leading Swiss clubs have had to cope with identical problems, FC Basle's Champions League exploits have at least given them the financial strength to compete on a much more level playing field.

After missing out on Europe's leading club competition for the best part of a decade, Grasshoppers are now struggling to regain top billing in Switzerland, let alone mix it with the European elite.

"Grasshoppers have had a really hard time of it in the last couple of years and the balance of power has definitely shifted," said Haas.

"Basle are the biggest team in Switzerland now and, this season, even FC Thun have gone ahead of Grasshoppers by qualifying for the Champions League.

"I think it's been hard for the Grasshoppers fans to take because they're used to success. It would be like Manchester United suddenly dropping out of the top three or four in England."

Haas' career has suffered a similar decline in the last couple of years. His spell at Sunderland was cut short when Peter Reid signed Stephen Wright to take his place - neglecting to tell Haas until the start of pre-season training - and, while a loan spell at FC Basle included European wins over Liverpool and Juventus, subsequent moves to West Brom and Bastia have been largely under-whelming.

"My time at Sunderland was tough," he admitted. "On a personal level, it was the first time I had been away from my family and I was still young. England was a good place, but it was cold and, at first, it was very hard for me to settle. A lot of the time, I felt like I was by myself.

"I moved to Bastia in January but, after my first four games, I snapped my knee ligaments. I haven't played at all in the last four months, and it's probably going to be as long again before I can get back out on to the pitch."

The injury means Haas will be able to watch Middlesbrough's game in Zurich tomorrow and, while the 27-year-old will be cheering for the home side, he expects the visitors to pull through.

"On paper at least, Middlesbrough should be far too strong," he said. "They have higher quality players than Grasshoppers.

"I'm Swiss, so I hope Grasshoppers can do well. I have also played in England, though, and I think Middlesbrough will finish higher up the group in the end."