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Switzerland Euro 2008 Preview | Help spread the word: Share on Facebook 
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Host nations tend to do well in Euro Championship finals, but what is expected of co-hosts Switzerland. Perhaps not too much according to George Parker?Host nations tend to do well in Euro Championship finals, none to recent memory failing to reach the Quarter Final stages. So what of co-hosts Switzerland? They may boast that they’ve not conceded a goal in a competitive match since November 2005, but as they qualified automatically as co-hosts, that provides a different perspective on an impressive stat! Switzerland’s previous appearances in the Euro finals in 1996 and 2004 respectively, have resulted in them leaving after the Group stages with only a point in both competitions to their name. In 1996 they held tournament hosts England to a 1 – 1 draw in the opening game before falling to defeats to the Netherlands and Scotland. In 2004 they again achieved a point from their opening game in a 0 – 0 draw against Croatia and then suffered defeats to England and France, both teams scoring 3 goals to send them home early. All of this means that Switzerland have yet to win a competitive Euro Finals match, a trend they will desperately need to change if they are to progress to the knock out stages. They face a tough test with the Czech Republic and Portugal arguably favourites to qualify and will need to rely on the stalwarts such as Arsenal’s Phillipe Senderos in the heart of defence and the goal scoring record of Alexander Frei, who has now 35 international goals to his name from just over 60 appearances. Straw polls of Swiss supporters reported in the lead up to the tournament have suggested not too much is expected in terms of success on the pitch in Euro 08, so based on that anything more than their usual point from the group stages must be considered a success. Or, will the familiarity of their homeland and the historic achievements of previous Euro hosts play to their favour and see an upset in Group A? George Parker Fancy writing for LiveFootball? Click here to find out more. |