Switzerland squad at Euro 2004
Switzerland
Euro 2004 Home | Squad | Star Player | Key Man
Man for man, Switzerland seem to be the weakest side in Group B, although they play well as a team and won their qualifying group ahead of Russia and Eire. Much will depend on the form and fitness of Hakan Yakin (see below). Other than that, they will struggle for goals, are vulnerable down the flanks and lack invention. It will be a surprise if they qualify from the group or even win a game. Veteran Stephane Chapuisat will turn 35 on the 28th of June but he can expect to be on holiday well before that date. His selection looks like a desperate move - surely it would be better to look to the future.
Squad
Coach: Jakob Kuhn
| Goalkeepers: 23-Fabrice Borer (Grasshoppers), 12-Pascal Zuberbuehler (Basel), 1-Joerg Stiel (Borussia Moenchengladbach) Defenders: 3-Bruno Berner (Freiburg), 2-Bernt Haas (West Bromwich Albion), 4-Stephane Henchoz (Liverpool), 20-Patrick Mueller (Olympique Lyon), 5-Murat Yakin (Basel), 13-Marco Zwyssig (Basel), 17-Christoph Spycher (Grasshoppers), 14-Ludovic Magnin (Werder Bremen) Midfielders: 7-Ricardo Cabanas (Grasshoppers), 16-Fabio Celestini (Marseille), 8-Raphael Wicky (Hamburg SV), 18-Benjamin Huggel (Basel), 10-Hakan Yakin (VfB Stuttgart), 19-Johann Lonfat (Sochaux), 6-Johann Vogel (PSV Eindhoven). Forwards: 11-Stephane Chapuisat (Young Boys), 9-Alexander Frei (Stade Rennes), 21-Milaim Rama (Thun), 15-Daniel Gygax (FC Zurich), 22-Johann Vonlanthen (PSV Eindhoven) |
| Patrick Muller is the best and most experienced Swiss player in the current batch. Olympique Lyonnais shelled out £5 million for him four years ago and he has proved worth every penny, helping them win major honours in every season at the club, including three championships. Equally at home in central midfield or defence, he is extremely confortable on the ball and reads the game exceptionally well. He'll play at the back for Switzerland and will have his work cut out in a particularly tough group as he's one of only four or five world class players in the Swiss squad. |
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| Key Man | Hakan Yakin is the key to Switzerlands success in Euro 2004. On his day, he rivals almost anyone else in the world for skill and creativity and packs a thunderous shot to boot. However, the exciting attacking midfielder of Turkish descent has struggled with injury this season and not had many opportunities in the first team since his winter move to VFB Stuttgart. Those who remember his brilliant form during FC Basle's run in the 2002-03 Champions League will be in no doubt that he has the ability to produce something from nothing so he's likely to be closely watched by opposition defenders. He alone can inspire Switzerland to upset the odds. |
