No sweat for Switzerland
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Article summary
Switzerland 3-0 Cyprus A comfortable win in Biel-Bienne takes the Swiss into a useful position in Group 4.
Article body
By Marco Keller
Switzerland moved to within two points of second place in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 4 thanks to a comfortable win against Cyprus.
Swiss goals
David Degen - twin brother of national team defender Philipp - opened the scoring on 17 minutes and Xavier Margairaz doubled the lead just after the half-hour. Baykal Kulaksizoglu completed the scoring 21 minutes from time with a penalty. Only missed chances kept the score at 3-0 as both Margairaz and Baykal, playmaker and midfield anchorman respectively, impressed.
September rematch
Cyprus came close to their first goal in the group with a Nektarios Alexandrou free-kick early in the second half, but are without a point and even a mathematical chance of reaching the play-offs. Their next game is the visit of the Swiss on 6 September, but four days before that Bernard Challandes' unbeaten side welcome leaders Israel, who defeated France today.