Switzerland will get Euro 2008 underway against Czech Republic, with the co-hosts looking for a first finals win.
Co-hosts look to open tournament with win over Czechs
Switzerland will get Euro 2008 underway against Czech Republic on Saturday, with the co-hosts looking for a first finals win.
In two previous European Championship appearances, the Swiss have failed to win in six matches, but will be hoping home advantage will lead to an opening game three points.
Coach Kobi Kuhn is retiring after the tournament and will be looking for a positive start from his squad.
Kuhn does have two main selection decisions ahead of the opening fixture in Basel as he considers starts for Patrick Muller and Tranquillo Barnetta.
Barnetta boost
Experienced defender Muller has only recently returned to fitness from a long-term knee injury and looked rusty in last week's friendly against Liechtenstein.
Muller is likely to be given the chance to decide his own level of fitness and, if he does start, will partner Arsenal centre-half Philippe Senderos.
Influential playmaker Barnetta has shaken off an ankle injury picked up in a training ground tangle with Gelson Fernandes and is fit to start.
He could replace Johan Vonlanthen on the left-hand side of midfield, while the national team's top scorer Alexandre Frei will lead the line.
The Czechs head into the tournament without the injured Tomas Rosicky and also concerns about the form of Milan Baros, who was top scorer at Euro 2004.
Ujfalusi concern
Baros will hope to partner Jan Koller up front, while Libor Sionko will also be looking to start after scoring twice against Scotland last week.
Zdenek Pospech will miss the match due to a virus, although Zdenek Grygera was expected to start at right-back in any case.
Influential defender Tomas Ujfalusi is a worry for the Czechs due to an abdominal problem, but Marek Jankulovski is fit after a knee injury.
Czech keeper Petr Cech is expecting a stern test from the Swiss, but is hoping Karel Bruckner's side have been fully prepared.
"I think the Swiss are very dangerous, and know how to play well together," said Cech.
"They create a lot of chances down the left side with Barnetta and [Marco] Streller, and count on Frei to score goals.
"The players on the flanks can attack and provide dangerous crosses. We already know a lot about them, and we'll see how well we have prepared in the game."
