Switzerland Football Team

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Switzerland Soccer Team General Information
Country - Switzerland
Capital City - Bern
Continent - Eurpoe
Manager - Jakob Kuhn

Switzerland Soccer Team History
Founded 1895
Affiliated 1904

WC participations 7 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994)
WC honours Quarter-final (1934, 1938, 1954)
Continental Titles None

World Cup Record:
Year Host Performance
1930 Uruguay -
1934 Italy Quarter finals
1938 France Quarter finals
1950 Brazil Third, Pool One
1954 Switzerland Quarter finals
1958 Sweden -
1962 Chile Fourth, Group Two
1966 England Fourth, Group Two
1970 Mexico -
1974 West Germany -
1978 Argentina -
1982 Spain -
1986 Mexico -
1990 Italy -
1994 U.S.A. Second Round (last 16)
1998 France -
2002 S.Korea/Japan -
2006 Germany in Group G with France, South Korea, Togo
SWITZERLAND Football Team for 2006 FIFA World Cup

Coach:
Jakob 'Kobi' Kuhn

Goalkeepers:
Pascal Zuberbuehler, Diego Benaglio, Fabio Coltorti.

Defenders:
Johan Djourou, Ludovic Magnin, Philippe Senderos, Stephane Grichting, Christoph Spycher, Valon Behrami, Patrick Mueller, Philipp Degen.

Midfielders:
Xavier Margairaz, Johann Vogel, Ricardo Cabanas, Raphael Wicky, Daniel Gygax, David Degen, Blerim Dzemaili, Tranquillo Barnetta.

Forwards:
Alexander Frei, Marco Streller, Mauro Lustrinelli, Johan Vonlanthen.

Switzerland Statistics in Group G with France, South Korea, Togo

Jersey No. Name of the Player
1 Pascal Zuberbuehler
2 Johan Djourou
3 Ludovic Magnin
4 Philippe Senderos
5 Xavier Margairaz
6 Johann Vogel
7 Ricardo Cabanas
8 Raphael Wicky
9 Alexander Frei
10 Daniel Gygax
11 Marco Streller
12 Diego Benaglio
13 Stephane Grichting
14 David Degen
15 Blerim Dzemaili
16 Tranquillo Barnetta
17 Christoph Spycher
18 Mauro Lustrinelli
19 Valon Behrami
20 Patrick Mueller
21 Fabio Coltorti
22 Johan Vonlanthen
23 Philipp Degen

Switzerland Soccer team is playing in Group G along with France, South Korea and Togo. Switzerland has participated in the World Cup seven times. Switzerland failed to qualify for France 98 and South Korea/Japan 2002. But this FIFA season they have secured a place in the finals. The Swiss team has reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 1934, 1938 and 1954.

Jakob 'Kobi' Kuhn has been the coach of the side since 2001. Under his able guidance, the team defeated Turkey 2-0 in the home play-off between the European runners-up. In the away match, they lost 4-2 in Istanbul; the aggregate result was 4-4, and Switzerland qualified on the basis of the away goals scored. In their last finals appearance at USA 1994, the Swiss reached the round of sixteen. They were defeated 3-0 by Spain.

The current Swiss team is a young and ambitious bunch and is being banked on as the surprise package of the tournament. In fact, the Swiss team remained undefeated for one full year and 14 straight games until they were defeated in a second-leg play-off by Turkey in Instanbul on 16 Nov 2005.

Under coach Kuhn's guidance, the Swiss team remained undefeated in their qualifying campaign in European Group 4. They had a total of 18 points from 4 wins and 6 draws. Johann Vogel is the captain of the team. The team blends youth and experience beautifully. Veteran keeper Pascal Zuberbuehler, midfielders Raphael Wicky, Tranquillo Barnetta and defender Philippe Senderos are the players to watch. Germany 2006 provides Switzerland the perfect opportunity to prove their worth and put forth an enthralling performance for all its fans.