Switzerland vs Portugal Preview and Live Score: Euro 2008

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Euro 2008: Switzerland vs Portugal Live Score

Portugal and Switzerland will take on each other in a seemingly insignificant match of Group A in Euro 2008. The match will take place tomorrow (15 June 2008) at the St. Jakob-Park, Basel in Switzerland. The match is not that much important in the sense that neither side has anything to achieve from the match that could help them in the quarter final race. Portugal has already got into the quarter final, while Switzerland is already out of the quarter final race after losing the first two group matches in Euro 2008. However, Portugal will definitely look to win the match so that they can confirm the top place in the group, by which Portugal might find an easier opponent in the quarter final.

Match: Switzerland vs Portugal, Group A Match, Euro 2008

Date: 15 June 2008

Venue: St. Jakob-Park, Basel in Switzerland

Portugal in Dominating Form in Euro 2008

Portugal started the tournament in style defeating Turkey 2-0 in the first match. The Portuguese side proved why they are considered as a favorite in the tournament, showing some excellent football in both of their group stage matches. In the first match, Pepe and Raul Meireles scored for Portugal in the second half of the match to secure three points. Then Portugal defeated Czech Republic convincingly 3-1 in the second match, in which Cristiano Ronaldo got his first goal of the tournament.

Switzerland Lacking Quality Finisher

Switzerland is a bit unlucky that they are out of the tournament even with a match at hand. Coach Kobi Kuh must be disappointed because his side’s performance was not that much bad to be out of the race of quarter final just after the end of the two matches. However, one thing is for sure that Switzerland lacks a quality execution of the chances they provided in the two matches. In the first match, Switzerland lost by just one goal against Czech Republic, and could not capitalize a number of chances to score. The same thing continued in the second match as well. Switzerland scored first against Turkey in the first half and at one point it seemed that Switzerland was going to win the match. However, Turkey got the equalizer soon after the second half started, but it was the injury time goal that broke the millions of Swiss hearts, and stunned the Swiss supporters who had been preparing for a winning party.

Switzerland vs Portugal: Head to Head and Recent Form

The two teams played nine matches between them so far. With three victories, Portugal has better success, but Switzerland also defeated Portugal twice out of nine meetings. Four other matches ended in draw. When it comes to recent form, you know that Portugal has been in a formidable form. However, if you go back to previous seven matches, you can see that performance of both sides are not flawless. Portugal won four out of their last seven matches, with two defeats and a draw. Switzerland’s form is not good at all, with five defeats and two wins in their last seven matches.

A Number of Changes is Likely for Portugal Squad

It is natural that Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to bring a number of changes in the starting line up, after Portugal’s entrance in the quarter-final being ensured following their victory over Czech Republic. Some of the regular players of Portugal might be rested for the match, while some irregular and reserved players would be brought on in the starting line up of the match. Reports have it that Scolari might bring as many as seven changes in the first eleven for the match against Switzerland. Goal Keeper Ricardo and Fernando Meira are expected retain their place in the first team appearance in the match, while a much different midfield could be experienced in the Portugal side tomorrow. Two wingers: Nani and Ricardo Quaresma- could start the match and midfielder Raul Meireles is another likely player of the starting line up against Switzerland.

In that case, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and Deco might be rested. However, Captain Nuno Gomes is expected to be in the line up as he is yet to find his goal scoring form in Euro 2008, and it is certain that this is the right time Scolari could wish to see Gomes regain his scoring form in tomorrow’s low profile match of Euro 2008.

Switzerland Confident ahead of Portugal Match, despite Injury Problems

That is what is expected by the Swiss fans now, with home team already out of the tournament. Portugal is a big opponent and Swiss fans would expect to see some inspirational football from Switzerland against one of the favorites of Euro 2008, which would be a consolation for the home crowds. Coach Koebi Kuhn is also very confident ahead of the match. You may be surprised to know that the coach is looking to win the match tomorrow, in what would be the first Swiss victory in Euro tournament.

Reuters reported:

"Even before we went out I had already thought that it would be a great achievement to get the country's first win at a Euro," said coach Koebi Kuhn.

"Why not on Sunday against a Portugal side who have already qualified?" asked Kuhn, due to retire after Sunday's match to be replaced by former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

"I think all our players will want to sign off with a good performance and the crowd deserve it as well."

So, you can see that Switzerland is gearing up to stand up against impressive Portugal. However, the home side is again suffering from injury problems. You already know that strikers Alex Frei and Marco Streller are out of the tournament, and now another striker, Eren Derdiyok is also doubtful for the match against Portugal due to ankle injury, that he picked up during their previous match against Turkey. With his injury, the strength of the Swiss attack has been deteriorated another step.

Switzerland vs Portugal: Online Live Score and Updates

If you can not watch the match live on television due to your personal and professional works or due to any other reasons, you can still get the online live score and updates of the match from different online live score websites. Some of the links of the online live score sites are given below:

Live Score
Goalzz
Euro 2008
Goal.com
football-data
Sky Sports
Live Score.cz

There is no doubt; Portugal is favorite in the match on pen and paper. However, realizing the determination of Switzerland team and considering the probable changes likely to bring in the Portuguese line up, I think, I would not be surprised if the match ends up in a draw. However, considering the injury problem Swiss front line is facing and the recent form of their strikers, I do not think that Switzerland could record their first Euro victory tomorrow. However, still you know nothing is impossible in football. Now, let us hope for an exciting match at the St. Jakob-Park of Basel. What do you think about the match?

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Telegraph

Reuters