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St. Jakob Park

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Euro 2008 Preview: Switzerland - Turkey

What: Euro 2008 Group A Matchday 2
Who: Switzerland (3rd, 0/3pts) vs Turkey (4th, 0/3pts)
When: Wednesday 11 June 2008 20:45 CET
Where: St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland
Referee: Ľuboš Micheľ (Slovakia)

The two losers from the first matchday go head-to-head for what is surely a last-chance game for both sides. It's Switzerland versus Turkey and it's sure to be a pressure-filled occasion...

Wounded

Losing out to the Czechs was crushing enough for the Swiss, but just as bad was the first half injury to talismanic captain Alexander Frei. Not only did the number 9 miss the rest of the game, but he's out for the whole tournament.

The party atmosphere among the confederation, then, has already fallen flat, although it won't fully end until all hopes of qualification are extinguished.

For all intents and purposes, though, this could be as early as Wednesday night. Anything less than a point against the Turks will see the Swiss fall at the first hurdle: hard to take for a side that excelled defensively at the World Cup of 2006.

Disappointed

Turkey, meanwhile, were largely overrun by a Portuguese side that overcame much of their qualifying nerves to put on a decent, but not world-class showing.

That was still more than the Crescent-Stars managed. Turkey, who had themselves only snuck into the tournament in second place, lacked the touch of class required to pick up all three points in their first game, or even come close to doing so.

Still, they can draw comfort from the fact that, with a large fanbase in Switzerland, they won't be put off by the 'away' nature of this match. This is realistically their best chance to get all three points, and they will surely go for it.

Nonetheless, much has to change on the pitch - not least the sense of confidence and the ability for the likes of Nihat to test the 'keeper.

Tasty History

Last time the sides met was in 2005 in a World Cup qualifier in Istanbul, one remembered less for its outcome than for the ugly scenes that followed. Violence erupted in the funnel after a fraught match, and with kicks and shoves raining in left and right, the continent's cameras looked eagerly on.

The Turks were punished with a five-game home stadium ban - albeit one mitigated by appeal - while FIFA boss Sepp Blatter (a Swiss) fumed openly over the incident.

The event has largely been forgotten now, but no doubt fans of the two sides will remember it as kickoff approaches.

FORM GUIDE

Switzerland

07 Jun Switzerland 0-1 Czech Republic (EC)
30 May Switzerland 3-0 Liechtenstein (Friendly)
24 May Switzerland 2-0 Slovakia (Friendly)
26 Mar Switzerland 0-4 Germany (Friendly)
06 Feb England 2-1 Switzerland (Friendly)
20 Nov Switzerland 0-1 Nigeria (Friendly)

Turkey

07 Jun Turkey 0-2 Portugal (EC)
29 May Turkey 2-0 Finland (Friendly)
25 May Uruguay 3-2 Turkey (Friendly)
20 May Slovakia 0-1 Turkey (Friendly)
26 Mar Belarus 2-2 Turkey (Friendly)
06 Feb Turkey 0-0 Sweden (Friendly)

TEAM NEWS

Switzerland

Frei is out for the tournament after picking up an injury in the opener. Everyone else is fit and ready for the Swiss, who may retain their 4-4-2 look as they go looking for three vital points. Yakin could support streller in an 'old-but-gold' forward line.

Probable Starting XI: Benaglio; Magnin, Müller, Senderos, Lichtsteiner; Barnetta, Behrami, Fernandes, Inler; Streller, Yakin.

Turkey

Gokhan Zan is out and Servet Cetin is doubtful, meaning that it could be an all-new central defence that lines up. Nihat will likely get the nod up front again.
UPDATE: Emre is out injured and could miss the entire tournament. Coach Fatih Terim has yet to confirm his replacement.

Probable Starting XI: Volkan; Sabri Sarioglu, Asik, Emre Gungor/Cetin, Boral; Altintop, Aurelio, Karadeniz, Turan; Nihat, Erding.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Switzerland - Marco Streller: Coach Kuhn is likely to put his faith in the veteran once more despite his poor showing against the Czechs in the first game. He's likely to retire after the tournament, and unless he goes out with a bang here this could be a disappointing final game for him.

Turkey - Mehmet Aurelio: The naturalised Brazilian-born midfielder will have to both provide for those further forward and also make sure that he guards what is likely to be a rotated defensive line. With his continental pedigree and experience, though, it is surely not too great a task for him.

PREDICTION

The Swiss, who lack cutting edge, may meet their match against a Turkish side with so much to prove. It will be a heated occasion and could even see the first red card, but it is with the Crescent-Stars that victory will lie.

Switzerland 0-1 Turkey

Ewan Macdonald
http://goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=730834

[glennaldo_sf]

I actually think that this could be a good match. 2-1 to Switzerland I say.

[roxbury]

I believe and hope Turkey will win..... score prediction; 2-0


starting line up Turkey;

Volkan Demirel, Hamit Altıntop, Emre Aşık, Servet Çetin, Hakan Balta, Mehmet Aurelio, Gökdeniz Karadeniz, Tümer Metin, Arda Turan, Nihat Kahveci, Tuncay Şanlı....

[footyfan1]

Originally Posted by glennaldo_sf

I actually think that this could be a good match. 2-1 to Switzerland I say.

Before Frei's injury, I would have agreed, but I think Turkey finds a way to win this one.

This is another match I really don't have a favorite in. I just hope it is a good one.

[roxbury]

[Andy Bulldog]

Go Switzerland!

[Gandalf The Red]

I hope the swiss crush the turks, both teams must win I cant see either beating da czechs or Portugal

[footyfan1]

Glad to hear the few IDIOTS who whistled the Turkish anthem get drowned out by those singing!!!

[unclesox]

Players carrying bookings into this match:
starters in bold

SWITZERLAND: Barnetta, Magnin, Vonlanthen

TURKEY: Gökhan Zan, Kazim Kazim, Sarıoğlu