Coach Kobi Kuhn said his delight over Switzerland's 2-0 win against Euro 2008 Group A winners Portugal was also tinged with sadness.
The co-hosts recorded their first win of the tournament but it came too late after two losses in their first two matches had ended their campaign.
"It is great to win but there are tears of disappointment," said Kuhn, who is quitting as coach after seven years.
"I felt we deserved at least a point from our first two games."
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He added: "Although we're going home we did the most important thing - making our fans happy."
Kuhn said he was overwhelmed by the 'Merci Kobi' banner unfurled by the Swiss players on their lap of honour after the final whistle.
"I was extremely pleased but of course there's also nostalgia setting in already," added the coach.
"I think it was a worthy send off for the coach"
"I was very surprised - I didn't know anything about the banner they presented. Many of the players have played with me for many years so I was very moved to received this expression of gratitude.
"We have been through some dire straits but all in all it has been a wonderful time."
Striker Hakan Yakin, who scored both Switzerland's goals, paid tribute to the coach.
"I think we owed it to Kobi Kuhn and the crowd to get a win and we showed today we could do it. I think it was a worthy send off for the coach," he said.
"We wanted to achieve something at this European Championship on home soil. We're still very disappointed about the two defeats but this has helped us recover a little."
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