Swiss Squad for the World Cup – Epilogue (ii) – HITZFELD’S XXIII FOR SOUTH AFRICA

May 11th, 2010 | by: Adrian | View Comments

So, we’ve once again return to the ever-popular ‘Swiss Squad for the World Cup’ series.

Earlier today, Swiss national team manager, Ottmar Hitzfeld finalised his 23-man squad to take to South Africa this summer in the hope of going as far as possible with Switzerland’s hopes on his shoulders…no pressuer

Well, I thought that this would be a good time to compare Hitzfeld’s selection, announced earlier today, to my original selection, as completed a while ago:

*Players’ names highlighted in yellow indicate that their respective postion differ between Hitzfeld and me.

I’d like to say that I got 19 of the 23 correct, 82.6% of the selection…not bad if I do say so myself.

Of all the eight midfielders I listed as part of my 23, are all going – making that the only department that Hitzfeld and I agree upon.

Lets look at the players who were left out of my 23, and those in Hitzfeld’s 23 that weren’t in my selection:

Goalkeeping:
Pascal Zuberbühler and Johnny Leoni:
I had originally said that both keepers were in contention for the final third spot behind Benaglio and Wölfli – so I’m not really surprised to see Leoni picked ahead of Zuberbühler for this spot – like I said – it’s not a playing role this summer – but I would have liked to see Pascal chosen on sentimental grounds.

Defence:
Ludovic Magnin and Steve Von Bergen:
I do have to say that I’m surprised that Magnin didn’t make it onto the list, despite suffering from a broken hand yesterday – I thought he could still make it, but maybe miss the opening two games? I guess Hitzfeld needs all players at all times for all games if we are to advance from the group and try to get further. Instead, Von Bergen of relegated Hertha Berlin has been called up to replace Magnin – though I would have preferred Smiljanic or Stocker.

Johan Djourou:
As Magnin – a knee injury keeps him out after missing large chunks of the Premier League with Arsenal – shame as he held the backline through most of qualifying.

Midfield:
Pirmin Schwegler and Xherdan Shaqiri:
I had listed Schwegler as an outsider to make it to the World Cup, but Shaqiri? Sure he has put in some good preformances for Basel this season, but he lacks international experience – he may take the role of a substitute as he may not yet be ready to take on the world.

Moreno Costanzo and Johan Vonlanthen:
To put it briefly, Costanzo didn’t make the cut, and Vonlanthen suffered an injury very late on in the Swiss Super League – though I opted against picking Vonlanthen, in favour of Costanzo but it neither will be travelling to South Africa.

So, here it is: Hitzfeld’s XXIII for South Africa in the hope that he can add a ‘FIFA World Cup trophy’ to his two Champions League Winners’ medals and countless other awards.

My best wishes to this 23-man squad list, and best of luck!

Keep sending in those comments!

HOPP SCHWIIZ!