2010 World Cup Team Previews: Switzerland

World Cup 2010 Team Spotlight – Switzerland

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The WORLD CUP FINALS had their final draw on Dec 4th, 2009. 32 teams were picked out of their respective pots and we now know the matchups for World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Need predictions for Switzerland?

From the Coach

Analysis from the coach: “If my father had known I’d be this successful as Switzerland coach – not as Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund coach – he’d have been overjoyed. It’s the place we call home, you see.” Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld

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Switzerland is making its ninth FIFA World Cup finals appearance and its second in a row. The Swiss were quarterfinal regulars in the 1930’s and 50’s, but the team hasn’t done better than a round of 16 finish in Germany 2006, were they were eliminated on penalties by the Ukraine.

They followed up two years later with a two game exit for Euro 2008. The current team is hoping at least to emulate the achievements of their forebears with a trip to the finals in 2010.

Group H: Switzerland, Spain, Honduras, and Chile

FIFA Ranking: 26
Switzerland Odds to win World Cup: +20000

Matchups:
June 16 vs. Spain
June 21 vs. Chile
June 25 vs. Honduras

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Ottmar Hitzfeld, former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich boss, took the national helm after Switzerland’s disappointing showing at UEFA EURO 2008. One of only two men to win the Champions League with two different clubs, “der General” brings a wealth of knowledge and quiet resolve to the Swiss squad.

The former Germany amateur international, who appeared at the 1972 Olympic games, is no stranger to Switzerland after spending stints with Swiss Super League’s Basel (1971-75), Lucerne (1980-83), and Challenge League Lugano (1978-80), in his days as a solid striker.

The Schweizer Nati boast a blend of youth and experience, combining talented younger players such as Eren Derdiyok, Tranquillo Barnetta and keeper Diego Benaglio with seasoned campaigners like Basel star striker and Switzerland’s all-time leading scorer Alexander Frei and Blaise N’Kufo.

Frei, the national team captain, finished the qualifying campaign with five goals. He will no doubt rely on the Leverkusen duo of Barnetta and Derdiyok to supply him with steady service up top, while Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos –on loan to Everton –will be called upon to stop the opposition’s attack.

Switzerland’s qualifying run started disasterously with a draw against Israel in the final minute, followed by an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Luxembourg in Zurich.

It must have been the perfect wakeup call as the team rebounded with five succesive victories against Latvia (2-1), Greece (2-1 and 2-0) and Moldova (2-0 and 2-0).

They only dropped points again in a 2-2 draw away to the Latvians. The Schweizer Nati finished it all off with 3-0 reversal in Luxembourg and a goalless draw with Israel to clinch top spot in European Group 2, and a draw to South Africa.

The Swiss’ World Cup bid will begin with a match against tournament favorites, Spain.

If they can beat the Spaniards, it could be a huge momentum shifter that could catapult the squad deep into the tourney.

I expect that Switzerland will more than likely be one of two teams playing for second place in the group, with a must win over Chile being the deciding factor for advancement to the Round of 16.

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Matt Martz is a sportswriter for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. “ Football (soccer) is a game in which a handful of fit men run around for one and a half hours watched by millions of people who could really use the exercise.”