Swiss ready for the Greek battlefield (& 10 reasons why Switzerland could win it)

Oldies: Chapuisat vs Zagorakis

Less than 1 hour away from the Group 2 main fixture Greece-Switzerland there are several concerns surrounding the Swiss national team.

Like Saturday’s win against Latvia the game against Greece is a crucial fixture – a win would change the entire perspective, a draw would be an excellent result, a defeat would be a serious problem.
However, following Djourou’s injury, Hitzfeld might have to find an alternative to Tranquillo Barnetta who suffered a thigh contusion (a charley horse). Clearly a recovering Barnetta is not worth the risk (a reminder of his performance at Euro 2008). Thus it is quite probable that Gelson Fernandes will take the place of the Leverkusen player.

Hitzfeld knows that “The Greeks are favourites. They already have 5 points more than us and can count on experience deriving from their 2004 title. They can count on defensive solidity and a great coach, Otto Rehhagel.”

For our coach the win isn’t imperative, given that the campaign is a long one and Hitzfeld hopes to count on the return of several players in the near future. For Hitzfeld, this going to be a real test for the Swiss defence, since they’ll be under great pressure for the first time. The long-lasting injuries of Senderos and Muller, together with Djourou’s recent one means that Switzerland only has Grichting and Eggimann for tonight’s fixture.

Similarly, for Valon Behrami Greece-Switzerland appears as a decisive game. “We’ll find out which path we’re going to take (…) after two great disillusions: Euro 2008 and Luxembourg.” Valon thinks that Greeks will not struggle for the win, comfortable with their 9 points, while only a win will change the global picture for Switzerland.

Greece’s strength lies in a solid defence and three dangerous strikers: Charisteas, Gekas and Samaras. Switzerland is aware of the danger that can come from set-pieces (and that has punished them already in the last three games).

Possible starting-lineups:
Greece: Chalkias; Dellas, Papadopoulos, Kyrgiakos; Setaridis, Katsouranis, Basinas, Torosidis; Charisteas, Gekas, Samaras.
Switzerland: Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Eggimann, Grichting, Spycher; Behrami, Inler, Huggel, Fernandes; Frei, Nkufo.

Ten Reasons Why Switzerland Could Win:
1. History of the Greece-Switzerland games: 10 played, 5 wins for Switzerland, 3 draws, 2 wins for Greece.
2. History of the “duels” between Hitzfeld and Rehhagel: 9 wins for Hitzfeld, 6 for Rehhagel (Bundesliga games)
3. Swiss Strikers score more: N’Kufo has scored in all three previous games, Frei has scored against Latvia.
4. Swiss Determination – the win against Latvia might have given Switzerland new confidence.
5. Cheese fame – while Greece only has feta, Switzerland has Gruyère, Appenzeller, Emmentaler etc.
6. Swiss Drinks – Ovomaltine and Rivella are more renowned than Ouzo.
7. Swiss Mountains are Higher.
8. Sports Associations HQ are located in Switzerland – FIFA, UEFA, IOC.
9. The recent earthquake reached a magnitudo 5,1 Richter. Switzerland will try to do better in Piraeus.
10. Switzerland will win, because no other result is acceptable.

Source: http://www.20min.ch/sport/fussball/story/22801555

Other than the serious and funny reasons listed above I would mention:
1. The quality provided by Hakan Yakin in midfield.
2. Benaglio’s desire to prove his worth.
3. Eggimann’s chance to shine while Senderos, Muller and Djorou are out.
4. Hitzfeld wants to prove what he’s worth.
5. Behrami is coming back!

Game can be watched live here