Struggle to avoid wooden spoon: Switzerland
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.1 Marco Pascolo Servette
A propensity to concede occasional soft goals has earned him the nickname "Flopolo". (Age 29, 37 caps).
2 Marc Hottiger Everton
Attacking right-back, formerly with Newcastle, will miss opening match with England due to suspension (28, 61).
3 Yvan Quentin Sion
Considered to have the least technical skill on team but makes up for it with intense, aggressive play (26, 27).
4 Stephane Henchoz Hamburg
Tough, talented young defender, and a natural leader. Being groomed to take over from Geiger (21, 16).
5 Alain Geiger Grasshopper Zurich
The captain and oldest member of the squad. Chasing Heinz Hermann's record of 117 Swiss caps (35, 111).
6 Raphael Wicky Sion
Young defender who won only his second cap against the Czech Republic last Saturday (19, 2).
7 Sebastien Fournier Sion
Hard-working and tough-tackling defensive midfielder, one of the squad's unsung heroes (24, 12).
8 Christophe Ohrel St-Etienne
An industrious midfielder who has a workmanlike approach to the game. Effective but seldom noticed (28, 48).
9 Marco Grassi Rennes
A volatile striker of Italian descent, the son of a millionaire businessman. Good in the air (27, 23).
10 Ciriaco Sforza Bayern Munich
An unselfish, talented playmaker who is the key man in the team. May move to Internazionale (26, 41).
11 Stephane Chapuisat Borussia Dortmund
Striker who returned to action in February after recovering from a serious cruciate knee ligament injury (26, 47).
12 Stephane Lehmann Sion
Number two goalkeeper and not happy about that. Is often ill-tempered and that can count against him (32, 7).
13 Sebastien Jeanneret Neuchatel Xamax
Young defender whose inclusion in the squad was one of Jorge's major surprises (22, 1).
14 Kubilay Turkyilmaz Grasshopper Zurich
Striker born in Switzerland to Turkish parents, has played for Bologna in Italy and Galatasaray in Turkey (29, 49).
15 Ramon Vega Grasshopper Zurich
Another aggressive defender who has impressed a number of foreign clubs this season (25, 9).
16 Marcel Koller Grasshopper Zurich
This central midfielder will retire as player after Euro 96 to become assistant coach with Grasshopper (35, 53).
17 Johann Vogel Grasshopper Zurich
Young midfielder who is well endowed with talent. Can and has played in almost every position (19, 5).
18 Regis Rothenbuhler Neuchatel Xamax
Defender who is unlikely to be a first choice despite a good season with Neuchatel (25, 10).
19 David Sesa Servette
Another young newcomer to the squad, a midfielder who is likely to have to wait for his chance (22, 1).
20 Alexander Comisetti Grasshopper Zurich
Striker who earned his fourth cap against the Czechs last weekend, another fringe player (22, 4).
21 Christophe Bonvin Sion
An Achilles injury has raised doubts about his fitness. Now plays in midfield after years in attack (31, 41).
22 Joel Corminboeuf Neuchatel Xamax
Unexpectedly claimed the No 3 goalkeeping position ahead of some younger rivals (32, 6).
The team
The Swiss may end up with the group's wooden spoon unless new coach Jorge can coax three peak performances from key players such as Sforza, the Bayern Munich playmaker, and Hottiger, the Everton full-back. Jorge caused a storm of protest by ignoring old favourites like Sutter and Knup when naming squad.
The coach
Artur Jorge took charge in January this year when Roy Hodgson found he could not combine coaching both Internazionale and Switzerland. The multilingual Jorge, who holds two university doctorates, won 25 caps as a centre-forward for Portugal, he has coached five Portuguese and two French clubs, winning the European Cup with Porto in 1987. Indisputably possesses the moustache of the tournament.
The fact file
Previous appearances in finals: None.
Qualifying record: W5, D2, L1 (Group Three winners).
Top scorer in qualifiers: 3 Turkyilmaz.
Most appearances in qualifiers: 8 Geiger, Ohrel, Pascolo, Hottiger, Sforza, Sutter.
Population 6.7m. Registered clubs 473. Registered players 182,000. Professional players 150.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments