Switzerland look to make impact in Brazil after impressive qualifying campaign.
Tuesday 10 June 2014 14:29, UK
Switzerland are one of a handful of teams who arrive in Brazil for the second time as World Cup finalists having also played in the 1950 finals.
Switzerland are going to be competing in their ninth World Cup finals, and they come into these finals for a third consecutive time for the first time in their history. They will be hopeful of making it through the group stage, as they have done in their last three finals appearances.
Switzerland were outstanding during qualification, finishing their group undefeated as they ended six points ahead of second-placed Iceland. Such has been Switzerland's progress in recent years, they are now ranked eighth in the FIFA rankings and were among the top seeds for the finals.
Switzerland's Group E fixtures
1. Sunday June 15: Switzerland v Ecuador – Brasilia
2. Friday June 20: Switzerland v France – Salvador
3. Wednesday June 25: Switzerland v Honduras – Manaus
Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld
The legendary German coach took charge of the Swiss side following spells at Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich - where he won the Champions League title with both clubs. He guided the Swiss to the 2010 finals, but failed to make it to Euro 2012. He has already confirmed that he will be retiring after the World Cup finals.
Star man: Xherdan Shaqiri
The diminutive winger joined Bayern Munich in 2012, for around £10million, however, his move to the German giants has seen him struggle for regular football - starting just over 20 games in his two seasons. Despite his domestic issues, Shaqiri is still a key performer for the Swiss and big things will be expected of him in Brazil.
Tournament best: Quarter-finalists in 1954, 1938 and 1934
Squad
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Roman Buerki (Grasshopper), Yann Sommer (Basel)
Defenders: Johan Djourou (Hamburg), Michael Lang (Grasshopper), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg), Fabian Schar (Basel), Philippe Senderos (Valencia), Steve von Bergen (Young Boys), Reto Ziegler (Sassuolo)
Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Eintracht Frankfurt), Valon Behrami (Napoli), Blerim Dzemaili (Napoli), Gelson Fernandes (Freiburg), Gokhan Inler (Napoli), Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Valentin Stocker (Basel)
Forwards: Josip Drmic (Nurnberg), Mario Gavranovic (Zurich), Admir Mehmedi (Freiburg), Haris Seferovic (Real Sociedad), Granit Xhaka (Borussia Monchengladbach)
British based players: None
Sky Bet odds: 150/1
Ottmar Hitzfeld’s solid if unspectacular side are odds-on to make it out of their group after being handed a favourable draw, sitting marginally ahead of Ecuador in the to qualify betting. However, going any further is considered unlikely, with Sky Bet going 10/11 that they’ll be eliminated in the second round.
