Friendly chance for Spycher:http://www.euro2004.com/competitions/euro/news/kind=1/newsid=65653.html Switzerland Squad Keepers Jörg Stiel (Mönchengladbach) Pascal Zuberbühler (Basel) Fabrice Borer (Grasshoppers) Defense Bruno Berner (Freiburg) Bernt Haas (Basel) Remo Meyer (1860 München) Patrick Müller (Lyon) Murat Yakin (Basel) Marco Zwyssig (Basel) Midfield & Forwards Ricardo Cabanas (Grasshoppers) Mario Cantaluppi (Basel) Fabio Celestini (Marseille) Stéphane Chapuisat (Young Boys) Alex Frei (Rennes) Léonard Thurre (Servette) Johann Vogel (Eindhoven) Joel Magnin (Werder Bremen) Christoph Spycher (Grasshoppers) Hakan Yakin (Basel) No Wicky, Rama on standby.
From journaldejura.ch "The lack of playing time is also a problem for Alex Frei, too lottle used at Rennes. The Ex-Servettien stand to loose his spot to his former teammate Léonard Thurre «I have the intention against Italy to give Léo an oppourtunity, currently in great form», explained the coach. The Servettien is prefered over Rama. Without the last minute unavilability of one of the selected attackers, the goal scorer for FC Thoune will not be present sunday night at the match." Interesting. I would think that if Rama can contribute, this would be a good match to get his first cap, and test the international experience.
From another thread on the Italian Board: "Both games will be shown live on RAI International" The U-21 and Full international game. Nice.
Update on Henchoz's injury: http://www.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=143511&Title=Henchoz+to+miss+final+weeks
Just give him some minutes vs. Russia or Albania. Since those are fifa sanctioned qualifying matches, he will be forever tied to Helvetia Btw, Christian Gross was voted best European coach for the month of March in the Italian magazine "Eurocalcio". Good to see Christian get the respect he deserves, even in Italy.
Italy Squad Trapattoni troubled by injuries: http://www.euro2004.com/competitions/euro/news/kind=1/newsid=66482.html Also, Kuhn has called up Stephan Keller (FC Zurich) for Remo Meyer (injured).
There are three Swiss vs Italy games this week. The U-16 team is at the Ballymena international tournament in Northern Ireland this week. I will try to keep us posted on how they are doing. Wednesday night in Bienne the U-18 Swiss team plays Italy. Should be a good game. On wednesday in Varese the U-20 team continues its play in an international friendly tournament with Germany and England. Switzerland is currently second behind Italy. The U-21 team is playing Italy in Neuchatel on tuseday night. This is a friendly match which should be a fun one to watch. Finally the Big boys in Geneva on wednesday night. Of the 4 games against Italy, I think a split would be good. 2-2, I would love for the National team to win, the last time they won, it was 10 years ago in Bern to help Switzerland qualify for the World Cup. Mabye it can happen again.
15th minute- CH: 1 ITA: 1 The Swiss opened the match with an early goal on some great passing and a nutmeg of an Italian man marker. Unbelievable! The Azzurri answered a few minutes later by heading home a corner. The giant Italian #6 outleaped the Schywzers and stuck it in the upper left corner to tie the game. Sorry I'm fuzzy on the names tonight...just got in from a huge traffic jam in the Gothard tunnel.
57' still tied at 1-1. Come on Switzerland! In other games of note: FT Liechtenstein 1 - 0 Saudi Arabia FT Bulgaria 2 - 0 Albania 72' Ireland 1 - 0 Norway HT Scotland 0 - 2 Austria
75' minute: Massive substitutions for both teams. Three in and three out for both teams. On of the Italian players hit over the bar from 16 meters.
Italian goal in the 76' minute to Cristiano Zanetti. From the announcer on the radio, poor marking in the box lead to the goal.
Here is the round-up from Austria's win: http://www.euro2004.com/competitions/euro/news/kind=1/newsid=66932.html And the Swiss loss: http://www.euro2004.com/competitions/EURO/News/Kind=1/newsId=66929.html
Sucks that we lost, especially since we took it to Italy in the first half. But that's how our games always are against Italy - we dominate the game, but they score the goals. It's been 10 yrs now that we beat Italy last, that was in Bern when Marc Hottiger sunk Italy 1-0 in WC 94 qualifying... Oh well, the Georgia-Russia game lifted my mood immediately. I really, really fancy our chances now. After 4 games, we are on top of the group. This is great because 3 out of those 4 games were away games. With the exception of the Russia away game, we've got all home games left. Wins in June against Russia and Albania should nearly seal the deal...