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Euro 2008 TV

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Re-live the Euro 2008 Championship by selecting a match below or visiting the dedicated site Euro2008TV.com for articles, photos, and video highlights of your favorite team.

 

Switzerland Euro 2008 Online Streams and TV Schedules

#Date Time (US/Eastern) Match Result Stage Venue
Jun-07 11:50am Switzerland - Czech Republic 0:1 Group A Basel
Jun-11 02:30pm Switzerland - Turkey 1:2 Group A Basel
Jun-15 02:30pm Switzerland - Portugal 2:0 Group A Basel

Switzerland at Euro 2008

Switzerland - Euro 2008

Group A

Czech Republic
Portugal
Switzerland
Turkey
View all group A details
Team Switzerland - Euro 2008

World Cup 2006 still haunts

As co-hosts of Euro2008, Switzerland will be eager to improve on their unimaginative outing at World Cup 2006. Though they topped their group in Germany—holding France to a creditable draw in the process—they were accused by the Swiss press of conservative tactics. The second round penalty shoot-out defeat to Ukraine was a damning indictment of Swiss timidity at the tournament. After both sides lumbered to a 0-0 scoreline, Switzerland failed to convert a single penalty and lost 3-0 in the shoot-out.  

The whimper with which the Swiss surrendered spoiled all the hard work they had put in prior to the defeat. Had they gone out with all guns blazing, critics would perhaps have been kinder. In front of home support Switzerland may well be more daring. With the paternal Kobi Kuhn still at the helm, Switzerland’s most notable absence will be midfielder Johann Vogel. The former captain fell out of favour with the coach after a very public row, in which both men accused each other for Switzerland’s friendly defeats to Austria, Brazil, and Germany. Kuhn wielded the axe and Borussia Dortmund striker Alexander Frei took over the captain’s armband. Whatever the reasons for Swiss ineptitude, coach Kuhn will have a lot of work to do. His team lost five out of ten friendlies in 2007—hardly encouraging preparation for Euro2008. Placed in an imposing group that contains the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Portugal, Switzerland will need all of their famed organization and more spark up front to negotiate their way through Group A.

How Switzerland qualified

As co-hosts with Austria.

How Switzerland play

Switzerland have employed a 4-2-3-1 formation in the numerous friendly matches they played last year. Arsenal’s rugged center-back Philippe Senderos leads the defence, while Hakan Yakin chips in with a few goals from midfield. Alexander Frei and Basle’s Marco Streller are the main candidates for the sole striker spot.

About the coach

The 63-year-old Kuhn infamously chopped captain Vogel, proving that he can clean house for the greater good. Taciturn and, for the most part, genial, Kuhn has been the Swiss coach since 2001. His Switzerland play a disciplined brand of football, but one that can appear pedestrian.

Key players

Philippe Senderos - Though Senderos has found playing time at Arsenal hard to come by, he remains the building block of the Swiss defence. The central defender is a tough customer, who relies on his physical strength to provide solidity at the back. Hakan Yakin - Yakin is of Turkish descent, and while not the most celebrated Swiss player, he has proved a mainstay in Kuhn’s side. A nimble midfielder, who has an eye for goal.

Star player

Alexander Frei - Though he has competition from Streller for the striker spot, Frei remains the first choice. He has had a troubled few years with injury, but at 28 he remains at the peak of his powers. Switzerland will need him to provide goals.

Verdict

Switzerland will have home support roaring them on, but a group containing the Czech Republic and Portugal will prove too much. A first round exit is the most likely outcome for the Swiss.

Article by Hasan Saiyid

Switzerland Euro 2008 News

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