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Senderos: Czech curtain raiser
There is pressure, but it is a good kind of pressure.
Philippe Senderos
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Philippe Senderos fears Switzerland will be heading for an early Euro 2008 exit if they do not record three points in Saturday's opening game against Czech Republic.
Co-hosts Switzerland take on the Czechs at St-Jakob stadium in the finals' curtain raiser and Arsenal defender Senderos has spelt out the need to get off to a positive start.
After their meeting with the Czechs, who were semi-finalists in 2004, Switzerland go on to face Turkey and Portugal in Group A.
And Senderos is well aware that a failure to kick off with a victory could leave Switzerland facing an uphill task in their attempts to reach the knock-out stages.
Massive
"It is a massive game for us," said Senderos. "It is absolutely vital that we get off to a good start.
"Everyone in Switzerland has been waiting for this moment for so long and hopefully we can live up to the expectations.
"It would be a major disappointment if we did not go through because we know we have got the ability to do that.
"There is pressure, but it is a good kind of pressure - there is a real desire in the squad to show our quality and what we are capable of."
