Before it’s too late…a SWISS look at Euro 2012 Qualifying.

March 8th, 2010 | by: Adrian | Comments Off

Even though this is the World Cup blog for Switzerland, I thought that since there hadn’t been any analysis of the UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying Draw for Switzerland, prior to my arrival, that I’d give my views of the nation…

So, let’s have a quick glance at the draw, shall we?

So, unless you’ve got really good vision, the draw for the Swiss is as follows:

UEFA EURO 2012 QUALIFYING: GROUP G:

England
Switzerland
Bulgaria
Wales
Montenegro

Overall, I’d say that the draw was kind to the Swiss…let’s have just a brief crack-down at the group:

> This is the only group to not contain a former winner of the UEFA European Championships.

> This will be the first European qualifying campaign for Switzerland since the qualifying rounds of 2002/3 for Portugal 2004, having automatically qualified as co-hosts two years ago.

> Switzerland’s last match of the last UEFA Euro ended in a (home) victory against Portugal – Hakan Yakin scoring all the goals, as we ran out 2-0 winners

> The group match schedule is to be negotiated in Zürich in a week’s time.

…So let’s have a closer look at the other teams in the group:

England:
Classified as top-seeds ahead of qualification, they are the only top seeded team to have not qualified for the previous Euro, co-hosted by opponents Switzerland…I believe the English fans will be wanting to correct McClaren’s failures which wasn’t it the distant past:

However, Capello’s England flew through their FIFA World Cup campaign, and this time around, will be hoping for the same when qualifying starts this fall. I shouldn’t think that England will repeat the mistakes of ‘07…especially with a relatively comfortable group.

Predictions versus Switzerland? Too soon to tell…I’m not hoping for a victory, but if we can avoid defeat in both matches, I’d be happy.

Bulgaria:
Third seeds, behind England and Switzerland – their most famous export of today’s football, Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United, should lead the Bulgarian qualifying campaign:

…but perhaps not as shown in the picture

They are relatively formiddable opponents, although they didn’tt cause Italy much trouble in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, they did pick up points against Ireland, and I’d imagine that we may lose points if not careful.

Predictions versus Switzerland?: Like I said, it’s still too early to call, but I don’t imagine that we won’t pick up points against Bulgaria…a home win and an away draw looks good for me

Wales:
British team number two to deal with in this group…it looks like we may have extended stays in the U.K.

To be quite honest, I don’t know too much about the Welsh national team…mostly because of the lack of major tournaments they’ve participated in. Of course, I ‘m familar with Craig Bellamy of former Liverpool fame…

…but apart from Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and minus the International-retired Ryan Giggs of Manchester United…I’m not familar with the line-up. Wales have the quality to beat the smaller teams in Europe…but when it comes to regular teams on the finals stage…well, I’m sure I don’t have to go further…

Predictions versus Switzerland?: Early to tell, but I think Switzerland will be able to gain 6 points from their Welsh fixtures.

Montenegro:
Politically speaking, Montenegro is a country that only gained independance in 2006. Formerly, Montenegro participated with the now redundant ‘Serbia and Montenegro’ – and I’ve always felt that the Serbians were much better off following the split from a footballing perspective…players like Kezman, Stankovic and Vidic all play for the Serbians, but at least the Montenegrans were able to keep striker, and now captain, Mirko Vucinic of AS Roma – who surely will be heading the effort to Ukraine/Poland:

Montenegro have played Wales and Bulgaria recently, managing a victory over the Brits and drawing and losing against the Bulgarians. The lack of experience from the team really isn’t their fault – with Serbia nabbing the majority of the former united football association. With the only one victory (against Georgia) in the only competitive tournament they’ve participated in (2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying) – Montenegro are still gaining experiencing, and in time will grow…

Predictions versus Switzerland?: Again, too early to tell, but I don’t imagine that we’d lose either match against such a new association still trying to get a foothold on the International scene.

IN CONCLUSION, Switzerland really shouldn’t have any major troubles with finishing in the top-two to at least give them a play-off berth. Finishing above England isn’t something that we’re targetting…but who knows what will happen come fall 2011?

All in all, I wish the best of luck to all qualifying teams of all groups (mostly Switzerland)…I’d also like to wish Poland and Ukraine luck as hosts for the next UEFA Euro, and hopefully can live up to success of Euro 2008, co-hosted, with Austria by everyone’s favourite nation