Team Profile

Switzerland, under the guidance of head coach Jakob, or ‘Köbi’ Kuhn, have qualified for their eighth World Cup Finals, qualifying second in a group that contained France, the Republic of Ireland and Israel.

The Swiss qualified for their first finals since 1994 in the most dramatic of circumstances. After finishing second in European qualifying Zone Group 6, managing to draw every match against the stronger teams, and beating the minnows of the group, the Faroe Islands and Cyprus home and away, they booked their berth in Germany in a dramatic two-legged play-off against third placed finisher’s in 2002 - Turkey.

The play-off against Turkey saw the Swiss take a 2-0 lead from the first-leg, which in the second away-leg in Turkey eventually finished 4-2 to Turkey, but 4-4 on aggregate and saw the Swiss going through on away-goals in a tense, violent finale in Istanbul which saw players and team officials from both sides receive bans for their conduct.

Having qualified, Switzerland and head coach Köbi Kuhn are now focused on getting through Group G in Germany this summer, which see the Swiss having to face their qualifying opponents and neighbours France, as well as Togo and South Korea in Group G in the World Cup Finals.

The two teams, who played to draws on both occasions in qualifying, are well used to each other, but face new opponents in the form of Togo, who have qualified for their first ever finals and an up-and-coming South Korean side, led by former PSV and Glasgow Rangers manager Dick Advocaat.

Rennes striker Alexander Frei was not only the Swiss side's leading scorer in qualifying, he was their hero, scoring six goals in qualifying, plus netting in the all-important play-off against Turkey.

Frei had to undergo groin surgery in February, but should be fit to lead the strikeforce for the Swiss in the Finals.

The talismanic brothers Hakan and Murat Yakin, who were sidelined by injury for the play-offs, have been instrumental in the resurgence of the national team and will hope to feature in the Finals in Germany.

Turkish-born Yakin, whose older brother Murat plays at the heart of the Swiss defence, made his international debut in February 2000 when he scored in a 4-1 win over Oman.

Their part in the legacy means Switzerland have a lot of youth on display in all positions, with captain Johann Vogel of AC Milan, a talisman in midfield who has played for the national team since 1995 being only 28 years old himself.

They also possess some up and coming talent in defence. Arsenal's Philippe Senderos, who is the running for the Young Player of the Tournament award, scored a decisive goal against Turkey and will hope to impress during the Finals.

Defensively Switzerland also have Ludovic Magnin from Stuttgart, who is a threat on corners and free kicks every time. Philipp Degen from Borussia Dortmund, Basel’s Patrick Müller, Boris Smiljanic from Basel, Stephane Grichting from Auxerre and the experienced Valon Behrami from Lazio.

Joining Vogel in midfield will be Tranquillo Barnetta from Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Benjamin Huggel, who, playing in the German Bundesliga will be familiar with their surroundings, as well as Ricardo Cabanas from Swiss-side Grasshoppers.

The Swiss lack a bit of depth in attack, but, apart from Alexander Frei, they have Lille’s attacking midfielder Daniel Gygax emerging as a solid player, scoring in Switzerland's 3-1 defeat against Scotland in March.

Also in attack are Thun’s Mauro Lustrinelli, Johan Vonlanthen from Breda and the veteran Stüttgart sriker Marco Streller.

In goal, regular Swiss No.1 Pascal Züberbuhler is likely to be backed up by Fabio Coltorti from Grasshoppers.

France are naturally the favourites to top Group G, but Switzerland have the ability to be able to qualify out of their group ahead of Togo and the Korean Republic.

But, realistically, progressing past the last sixteen will be a great accomplishment for Köbi Kuhn’s team.

Switzerland Match Fixtures in the World Cup 2006

13-June-2006 France v Switzerland 18:00 BST
19-Jun-2006 Togo v Switzerland 15:00 BST
23-June-2006 Switzerland v Korea 21:00 BST

Historic Facts

First International appearance: France 1 - 0 Switzerland (Paris, France; February 12, 1905)

Largest win: Switzerland 7 - 0 San Marino (St. Gallen, Switzerland; June 5, 1991)

Worst defeat: Switzerland 0 - 9 England (Basel, Switzerland; May 20, 1909)
Worst defeat: Hungary 9 - 0 Switzerland (Budapest, Hungary; October 29, 1911)

World Cup Finals Appearances: 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006

Switzerland Match Results - Europe World Cup Qualifiers, Group 4

Date Match Result
     
12-Oct-2005 Ireland - Switzerland 0:0
07-Sep-2005 Cyprus - Switzerland 1:3 (1:1)
03-Sep-2005 Switzerland - Israel 1:1 (1:1)
04-Jun-2005 Faroe Islands - Switzerland 1:3 (0:1)
30-Mar-2005 Switzerland - Cyprus 1:0 (0:0)
26-Mar-2005 France - Switzerland 0:0
09-Oct-2004 Israel - Switzerland 2:2 (1:2)
08-Sep-2004 Switzerland - Ireland Republic 1:1 (1:1)
04-Sep-2004 Switzerland - Faroe Islands

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