| Outright Odds: 150/1 | | | | Frei. |
| Group G Winners: 4/1 | | | | He is partnered by 20-year-old Johan Volanthen, who |
| Switzerland qualified from the same group as Group F | | | | became the youngest goalscorer in European |
| opponents France and also remained unbeaten in 10 | | | | Championship history two years ago. Volanthen, with a |
| qualifying matches, with four wins and six draws. After | | | | mixture of Colombian flair and Swiss know how has |
| finishing in runners-up spot they faced Turkey, a side | | | | been dubbed the Wayne Rooney of Switzerland and |
| they had beaten just once in their history, in the | | | | he will be under pressure to perform. |
| play-offs. After winning the first leg 2-0 they almost | | | | Ludovic Magnin of VfB Stuttgart is a creative left back |
| lost their nerve and needed to rely on the away goals | | | | with an eye for set-pieces while the team is captained |
| rule as Turkey won the return 4-2. | | | | by Johann Vogel, now at AC Milan with over 70 caps |
| The line between success and failure was a narrow | | | | to his name. |
| one in the tightest of all the European groups. | | | | Their main downfall could be a lack of nerve on the big |
| Switzerland finished level on points with Israel, but | | | | stage. They were 3-0 up on aggregate against Turkey |
| made the play-offs due to a superior goal difference. | | | | in the play-offs but the tie ended 4-4 on aggregate |
| Manager Jakob "Kobi" Kuhn has revived the national | | | | and there are question marks over goalkeeper Pascal |
| team's fortunes since taking charge in 2001. He was | | | | Zuberbuhler, incidentally the only player over the age of |
| the first Swiss coach to guide his country in 12 years | | | | 30 in the expected starting line-up. |
| and qualified for Euro 2004 and now the finals in | | | | But, after going 10 games unbeaten in qualifying, |
| Germany. | | | | Switzerland should fear nobody, especially opening |
| Switzerland have never been mainstays of the World | | | | match opponents France, who they drew twice with |
| Cup which makes qualification a real achievement. | | | | along the way to Germany. |
| They reached the second round in 1994 but have | | | | Recommended Bet |
| failed to qualify for the last two tournaments. They | | | | If Switzerland does not suffer an attack of nerves |
| reached the quarter finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954. | | | | they pose an excellent betting opportunity to win |
| Kuhn has put together a talented young side in stark | | | | Group G at tempting odds. They face France in their |
| contrast to France resorting to lure their old-timers out | | | | opening match and have arguably easier opponents in |
| of retirement. Up front they have at their disposal last | | | | South Korea and Togo thereafter. |
| season's French league's top goalscorer in Alexander | | | | |