Switzerland

Swiss football has not been to everyones liking, but they're ability to qualify for tournaments has been commendable, as they have participated in every major international tournament since 2004. 

The Swiss renaissance began under Kobi Kuhn and has progressed under Ottmar Hitzfeld in the past two years. The German's reign began with an embarrassing defeat at home to Luxembourg, as they suffered from a post Euro 2008 hangover, or depression, but the team eventually turned things around to win their qualifying group ahead of Greece.

Spectacular attacking football has not been a feature of their success however, and they team have become no easier to watch with the change in manager. If they are anything, it is hard to break down, but despite their solid defence and talented midfield, scoring goals may ultimately cost the Swiss a repeat of their success in Germany four years ago.

The future looks bright for the Swiss however, and the home of cuckoo clocks, watches and army knives may reap the rewards of their open door immigrant policy in years to come. The national under 17s won the 2009 World Cup in Nigeria.   

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Despite reaching the quarterfinals in three of the first five World Cup tournaments, the 1954 hosts made their biggest impression in 2006. Having topped a group containing France, South Korea and Mali, the Schweizer Nati exited on penalties to Ukraine without even conceding a goal throughout.  

SCHEDULE: Group H

Spain          June 16th: Durban

Chile           June 21st: Port Elizabeth

Honduras    June 25th: Bloemfontein

Switzerland's rag tag bunch of naturalised foreigners and home grown talent will be quietly confident of reaching the second round again. Ottmar Hitzfeld is a shrewd double Champions League winning tactician who will get the best out of his team in South Africa. The question is whether his players are good enough to beat Chile, who should be their direct opposition for second place behind Spain.

A repeat of their opening result from 2006, a 0-0 draw with France, will go a long way to booking Switzerland's place in the knockout stages.

KEY PLAYERS

Wolfsburg's Diego Benaglio is the only experienced goalkeeper in the squad, and the team will be very reliant on his services throughout. Any potential injury will result in a nervy replacement between the sticks.

Gokhan Inler was a revelation at Euro 2008 in his home country, and the midfielder has impressed for Udinese ever since. An ever present in Udine, Inler is a dependable passer of the ball who can make things happen moving forward.

In 2006 Tranquillo Barnetta was Switzerland's star of the tournament, becoming a contender for the young player award eventually won by Lukas Podolski. The Bayer Leverkusen wide man has become a vital cog in Hitzfeld's machine.

Philippe Senderos may be a much derided centre half when he plays at club level, but he is a rock for the national team. The former Arsenal man has just signed for Fulham on the other side of London, so should go into the World Cup in a confident mood.

ONE TO WATCH: Eren Derdiyok 

The Bayer Leverkusen Striker has added some much needed pace to a forward line that has been overly reliant on Alexander Frei and Hakan Yakin for far too long.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

This Swiss team should not be written off. Their midfield possesses numerous talented individuals from Inler to Sampdoria's Marco Paladino to Valon Behrami of West Ham. If they were to escape from their group, a tough game with Brazil would surely end their interest.  

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Finishing below Honduras. Swiss fans seem to be a negative bunch when it comes to tournament time, but finishing bottom of the group would be a terrible showing.

PREDICTION

Third in Group H. Chile' s form, confidence and dazzling forward power should be enough to overcome the Swiss in their pivotal encounter in Port Elizabeth.