- 6 Jun 08, 10:00 AM
Basel
The front cover of the free newspaper Baslerstab proclaimed on Thursday that Switzerland are going to win Euro 2008 because it is written in the stars.
According to Basel astrologer Christine Vosseler, who is photographed in the paper with an expression that seems to suggest that matters are out of her hands, the celestial proclamations cannot be argued with.
Talking of stars, Brad Pitt, Owen Wilson and Patti Smith are all in town, though it is the Art Basel fair and not the football that has brought them to Switzerland.
Anyway, I tried to investigate the astronomy story further but quickly hit trouble.
When a woman at a tram stop asked me for a light, I in turn asked her if she could help translate the story.
Unfortunately, said individual took one look at the newspaper, recoiled in horror and said "it is too cheap" several times. Actually, I thought, it is free, how much cheaper do you want it?
It was then that I noticed the strong smell of alcohol.
A further glance revealed the sort of twitchy mannerisms particular to those who imbibe too often early in the day. A cold shiver ran down my spine as it dawned on me that one of the first Swiss people to instigate a conversation with me just happened to be an old soak. Thankfully, a tram came along and whisked me off to safety.
Still, the article got me thinking about the prospects for the Swiss over the next few weeks. It is the first time they have hosted a major football tournament since the Miracle of Berne in 1954, when West Germany won the World Cup.
Back then the competition averaged 5.4 goals a game and the Swiss notched five in their final match, the only problem being the Austrians scored seven.
Austria, the co-hosts this year, look like a lost cause, but there is a feeling amongst some people I have spoken to that if the Swiss can capitalise on home advantage then they might have a tournament to remember.
I'm not so sure. The Swiss are in a group with the Czech Republic - who they play on Saturday - Portugal and Turkey.
Fifa's world ranking system might not count for all that much but while Switzerland are 44th, the other three teams in their group are in the top 20.
You could argue that Switzerland's last participation in a major tournament showed real potential. After all, they were undefeated in four games at the 2006 World Cup, eliminated only on penalties by Ukraine.
And they have some decent players in the wonderfully named Tranquillo Barnetta, Johan Vonlanthen and the gifted young Basel forward Eren Derdiyok.
But some key figures, such as Alex Frei and Philippe Senderos, are either recovering from long-term injury or out of form.
Recent poor results - friendlies against minnows Slovakia and Liechtenstein apart - suggest that the Swiss need to produce against the Czechs to build some badly-needed momentum.
Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn agrees, arguing that winning the opening game is "vital" to generate much-needed momentum.
I hope they do because, if Euro 2004 and the World Cup in Germany taught me anything, the success of a major tournament is built in part on the enthusiasm of the host nation.
If Switzerland lose on Saturday they will have the metaphorical equivalent of one of their much vaunted mountains to climb.
Of course, one Swiss person has played their most excellent part in a major final - a man to whom every self-respecting England fan owes a debt of gratitude.
You can talk all day about your Russian linesman, but 'Gotti' Dienst was the referee in the 1966 World Cup final who ultimately ruled that Geoff Hurst's shot for his crucial second goal against West Germany had crossed the line.
The whistle - an ACME Thunderer - that Dienst used in the final is now housed in the Swiss Museum of Sport in Basel, and I had the brief honour of touching it during a visit on Thursday.
Having also seen the goalposts used in the final at the National Football Museum in Preston, I am gradually turning into a '66 nerd. Having grown up on stories of England's glory - something I've never seen myself - I guess it all makes sense.
And the wistfulness of my seminal years does not stop there.
As a child, my mother dragged me to church every week, something I am reminded of every time I step out of my hotel room and into the corridor, at the end of which is a stained glass window casting a holy light that makes me anticipate the smell of incense and a procession of altar boys.
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Comments
Group A:
1. Czech Republic
2. Switzerland
3. Turkey
4. Portugal
And then the Swiss will lose against Germany.
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I've got to disagree with Ticape. It will be:
Group A
1.Portugal
2.Czech Republic
3.Switzerland
4.Turkey
Switzerland will just miss out. I think the other reams will be just too strong despite homefield advantage.
Group B
1.Germany
2.Croatia
3.Poland
4.Austria
That one is pretty straightforward.
Group C
1.France
2.Italy
3.Holland
4.Romania
This group could end up in any order and don't be surprised if Romania cause a few upsets.
Group D
1.Spain
2.Sweden
3.Greece
4.Russia
Again, this could be any order as any one of the four teams could qualify.
The only group that is not hard to call is group B. Every other group could fall under the group of death catagory easily.
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i don't think portugal will come last in that group. home nation or not, sadly Switzerland can't be getting any further than this. I think in a world cup with lots more teams they would've gone a couple of round but the Euros are too small. Turkey, the Czechs and Portugal are just a class above them.
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Following that link for the Miracle of Bern takes you to the Wiki article for the film, but if you read about the actual match - the World Cup Final of 1954 where West Germany beat Hungary (the same Hungary who were the first non-UK team to beat England at Wembley, and followed it up with a 7-1 win in Budapest) 3-2. The match was said to have had a great effect on the economic situation in both countries, as the start of the rehabilitation of West Germany after the war, and the beginning of unrest in Communist Hungary. Fascinating, and also sounds like a good game - we could do with more of those in major finals... no more penalty shoot outs please!
As far as group A goes, Portugal and the Czechs will probably be too strong for Switzerland, but I fancy the hosts to upset Turkey.
Group B may not be as straightforward as redvillaman suggests, especially if Croatia can get one over Germany - could Poland sneak in...? Probably not.
Group C looks fascinating, but I think France will be the ones to lose out. You've gotta feel sorry for Romania who might've fancied themselves to wriggle their way out of any other group, but they may go home without a goal, let alone a point...
Group D should be Spain's at a canter, but after that is almost too hard to call. All three teams could end up beating each other, with the final positions, and qualification for the quarters being decided on goal difference, goals scored or the drawing of lots... how cruel would that be?!
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The problem with Portugal is that they have trouble scoring (yes even with C.Ronaldo) so they can easily dominate a game but still lose or draw a game because they can't score. Hence me putting them on the last spot. But I do agree with #2 besides Group B (although I can see Poland ending up second) all groups are hard to predict, which makes the tournament exciting. ^^
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i think people will be surprised by what happens and a few of the so called big guns will be out very early.
group a:
czech republic
switzerland
portugal
turkey
group b:
germany
croatia
poland
austria
group c:
italy
holland
romania
france
group d:
russia
sweden
greece
spain
i think russia will surprise a lot of people, but really it shouldnt be a big surprise.. guus hiddink is probably the best or at least one of the best international managers of our time and his team will surely be one the best prepared of the lot. as well as this there are some great talents in russian football at the moment and this will be there chance to shine.
to win the championship germany are my favourites. they are simply pure class and no one can disagree with that. i think spain will once again fall(especially with the hype that is already surrounding them) and a personal favourite for me is holland. ive always been a fan of the dutch and hopefully they come through this time
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Hi Paul, really enjoy your blogs. I'm half English, but I've lived in Basel all my life - don't worry, once it stops raining and the sun comes out, this will be a great place to be!
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I agree with your opinion that the host nation doing well is important for a tournament. We can even cite Euro '96 as an example here.
Some of the Swiss players have been out with injuries, but this can be a benefit if they come back fresh. I think they can get out of their group and I've got my fingers crossed for them!
Your blogs have been interesting for an expat in Basel. Here the expat community are quite "snobby" when it comes to football, few venture to see the local side. Given I used to watch anything from Premiership down to non-league I guess standard is not so important for me and I have a FC Basel season ticket and it's fun. I hope the FC Basel players do well, although Eren Derdiyok doesn't get in our side regularly so he's not the player you make him out to be!
Switzerland is a very regional country with its 26 cantons. Linguistically divided, much like in Spain with the Castilian-Catalan-Basque divide, but also between cities speaking (near enough) the same language. Ask a Baseler what he/she thinks of Zurich and then a Zürcher what he/she thinks of Basel - you might be entertained even if not able to print their responses!
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About Group C, it may have escaped people's attention but Romania did take 4 pts off Holland in qualifying, so who is to say that they could not beat them in Euro 2008? What with Lobont, Chivu, Dica, Mutu and Marica that is quite a strong spine in my book.
Group B looks like Germany and one othe rin my group but then don't forget that in Euro 2000 Germany went out in the Group Stage, and in 2004. Italy and Spain also went out at that stage in 2004. Anyway, Group B, Poland did top a group with Portugal and Serbia taking 4 pts off the former so it's a question of whether they can translate that fine qualification form into the tournament.
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arshavin101 - spain to finish bottom? do me a favour. where did that come from?!
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Everyone makes me laugh, including the media, everyone is writing off Turkey in this competition. Let me tell you, Turkey will at least finish 2nd in their group. The players have an amazing spirit, good technical players such as Villarreal's Nihat. People are talking about Ronaldo, Ribery, Benzema, and rightly so, they are great players, but believe me, watch out for Turkey's Arda Turan, he is a young winger with bags of talent. Watch out for Turkey, they have no pressure and the will to win this competition..a bit like Greece 4 years ago!
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"Fifa's world ranking system might not count for all that much but while Switzerland are 44th, the other three teams in their group are in the top 20."
Fifa's world ranking system counts for NOTHING! Especially when you are including Switzerland! If you look closely, you will see Switzerland were well in the top 20 after the World Cup.
The only reason Switzerland are 44th is because they haven't played a competitive match for 2 whole years! Switzerland have a realistic chance of qualifying, obviously not favourites to go through though. However, a win tomorrow and I would expect us to really challenge. Your comment, although acknowledging Fifa's rankings are not full proof, is ridiculous! Super Shuk, as my Turkish friend tells me, Turkey's best threat is hurling chairs at other players and fans (I'm not being serious btw!). Portugal should win on paper but remember what Greece did to them 4 years ago.
Good to see an article on Switzerland though :-)
Looking at our team you can see why we are a threat. We have many players at top clubs in Europe, just look at Gelson, Senderos, Barnetta, Behrami and Degen to name a few.
HOP SUISSE!
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come on turkey! don't underestimate us, we could be this year's dark horses. Nihat to be top scorer as well - not a bad outside bet. It'll be us and Portugal who qualify from the group.
hadi türkiye!!
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i do think spain will finish bottom.
they have a squad of great players and not a great team (very similar to our england)
they always underachieve and with the added hype i think they will again. also with aragones in charge it isnt looking great for them.
also remember greece(even tho its the same team as last time) are still the champions and sweden and russia are a lot better than people think
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i will be very surprised if Spain lose a game in that group. there's no way Greece can surprise people as they did in Portugal, Sweden are distinctly average (they've had to tempt Henrik Larsson out of retirement AGAIN - now he's a decent player, but he's no Torres, is he?) and Russia...? Well, they even struggled to beat England ;)
I'm very much looking forward to watching them play, we may not even see the best of them til the knockout stages. I'd love Croatia v Spain in the final, that'd be a great game - what a contrast in styles.
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