World Cup 2006 Team Profiles - Group G

I will be taking an in-depth look at all 32 teams competing in Germany for World Cup 2006. In Group G, we have a mixture of teams who have been recents hosts and have enjoyed success in the last two finals with a team looking to make a successful return visit and another making it's first visit to WC action.

Switzerland
World Cup Appearances: 8th Appearance; Last - 1994
Best Finish: Quarterfinalists (1934, 1938, 1954)
Key Players: Raphael Wicky, MF; Philippe Senderos, D; Alexander Frei, F

Notes:

This is the first appearance for the Swiss since USA 1994, and they are looking to make an impression internationally with the side they are fielding in Germany. They are looking to make amends ot their supporters for their lackluster showings in 1998 and 2002 qualifying rounds. They've got a team full of youth and international level players and Germany will provide this team the avenue to showcase those skills.


The Swiss benefited from the away-goal rule during their playoff qualifying home-and-away matchup against Turkey. Despite losing in Istanbul 4-2 in the second match, the Swiss we're able to score a 2-0 victory in Bern a few days prior. That even the goal-differencial to nil because of the same amount of goals scored by both teams, but the Swiss we're able to tally twice in Istanbul, winning the away goal differncial 2-0. They did play well heading upto the playoff, where they hadn't suffered defeat in a year, dating back 14 matches.