Archive: Switzerland
Who Do You Like in Group G?
Well, I like the team with the best defensive midfielders. But before we go there, your study guides: - Steve Goff's group analysis (written the day of the draw) - The Post's team profiles (also written way back in December) - BBC.com team guides: - France - South Korea - Switzerland - Togo My prediction: Nothing was quite like being in Paris the night France won the '98 World Cup (I was also there the night they won Euro '84, btw; did not attend either game, tho). I have a soft spot for Les Bleus. But I think they are old and vulnerable. I say the young, talented Swiss team knocks them off in a shocker in the opener. Perhaps on a gaffe by Barthez. France is not vulnerable enough to finish behind South Korea or Togo, however. They'll take second. Using BBC.com's predictor I can see South Korea going...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 26, 2006; 08:00 AM ET | Comments (26) | TrackBack (0)
Lunchtime Kick-About
No story jumps out at me right now (other than Alecko Eskandarian possibly being in trouble for his antics vs. the Red Bulls -- and that doesn't really fit here), so here are some headlines: - At Arsenal, Sol Campbell will play, Philippe Senderos will not in the second leg of the Champions League semi on Tuesday. England fans can see how Solly's doing; Swiss fans can sweat it out -- would be a blow to lose Senderos for the World Cup. - I tire of being England-heavy in these news updates, but I have to point out that former England coach Bryan Robson took a shot at Beckham this weekend. "Becks would not have been my choice as captain. Gerrard and Terry are more natural leaders and have the aggression most managers like in a captain. ... Beckham is not a leader on the pitch." - Australia GK Mark...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 24, 2006; 01:45 PM ET | Comments (18) | TrackBack (0)
[Insert "Swiss" Pun Here]
I almost headlined this item "Swiss Miss" ... then I realized that made no sense, and those puns are overused anyway, right? (Just wait, if Togo pulls an upset, some Animal House-loving headline writer will not be able to resist writing "Togo! Togo! Togo!" ) Anyway ... a comment from DCFan below mentioned Switzerland as a team not to be dismissed. They drew with Croatia (0-0) and lost to England (3-0) and France (3-1) at Euro 2004 (DCFan says they played well in those games, and my memory does not work well enough to argue). They do seem to have some promising young players and have "never had so many players abroad," FIFAWorldCup.com reports. For more, here's FIFAWorldCup.com's interview with the Swiss coach. Programming notes: I gave Goff, LaCanfora and Powell the keys to the blog today, so they may start posting here, too. Also, if you're curious what I...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 6, 2006; 12:43 PM ET | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
