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Switzerland ready to rise to big occasion
by Michael Harrold from St. Jakob-Park
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Karel Bruckner points the way for the Czech
Republic (¿Getty Images)
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Finally the waiting is over. Almost two years since Switzerland
last played a competitive match, the co-hosts kick off UEFA EURO 2008T
against the Czech Republic determined to hit the ground running.
High hopes
Kobi Kuhn's side departed the 2006 FIFA World Cup with a whimper, failing
to score a single penalty in their shoot-out defeat by Ukraine in the
last 16. Now they need to begin with a bang. A positive result will galvanise
a nation approaching the tournament more in hope than expectation. Kuhn
said the supporters will act as a "12th man" in the tight confines
of St. Jakob-Park and as he embarks on the final challenge of his coaching
career, the 64-year-old is excited by the prospect of what lies ahead.
'Enthusiasm'
"In training we have played with great enthusiasm, commitment and
desire," said Kuhn. "It's great fun to be with this squad, to
prepare for the EURO and to get started. The first match is absolutely
vital. It is going to be difficult, we're aware of that, but we'll try
to play the best football we can and try to win every game." Kuhn's
preparations have been overshadowed by serious illness to his wife Alice,
but he has drawn strength from the support of those around him. "Everyone
stands behind me and supports me wherever they can and that gives confidence."
Home truths
Switzerland's co-hosts Austria will be watching with interest to see how
their neighbours fare. Of all the countries to have staged the tournament
since 1984, only Belgium in 2000 have not reached the semi-finals. Home
advantage, though, has its downsides too. Portugal froze as Greece crashed
their opening party in Porto four years ago and the Czech Republic will
be looking to do the same thing here.
Rosicky missed
Coach Karel Bruckner, though, has had to adjust his side following the
withdrawal of captain Tomas Rosicky through injury last month, and he
is still keeping his revised XI a closely guarded secret. "We have
various alternatives but I'm not going to discuss that further,"
said Bruckner, whose team were semi-finalists in 2004. "Our players
are ready. We're well-prepared and have an experienced team." Bruckner,
who like Kuhn will step down at the end of the tournament, has a full
squad to choose from with the exception of flu-victim Zdenek Pospech,
and should start with Vaclav Sverkos and Stanislav Vlcek either side of
Jan Koller in a 4-3-3 formation.
Muller concern
Koller recently became the Czech Republic's all-time leading scorer, an
achievement matched by Alexander Frei for Switzerland last week. Frei's
availability after injury gives Switzerland a huge lift, as does the return
of attacking midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta from an ankle problem. There
is more concern over the side's third linchpin, Patrick Muller who is
still not at full fitness having torn cruciate ligaments in December.
Switzerland are a different team with the 31-year-old's steadying presence
at centre-back and Kuhn will talk with him before deciding whether he
plays. With Portugal and Turkey lying in wait in Group A, neither side
can afford to fluff their lines on first night.
Euro2008.com,
7 June 2008
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