Hosts looking for impressive debut

For Switzerland, hosting the UEFA European Under-21 Championship was a fitting reward after qualifying for the latter stages of this tournament for the first time.

No easy route
The Swiss certainly did not choose an easy route, either in qualifying Group 1 or the play-offs. They only won their pool by a single point from Russia and Yugoslavia - and then only in the final match.

Cabanas saves the day
At 3-1 down with 36 minutes left in the decider against Russia they were facing exit by the narrowest of margins. But then two goals from Ricardo Cabanas, the second with eight minutes left, secured them a play-off against Ukraine. It was tight in that tie as well, before goals from Cabanas and Alexander Frei in the last 20 minutes of the second leg gave them a finals place, followed in December by the news that they would act as hosts.

Competitive group
Coach Bernard Challandes has done excellently to get the Swiss to the tournament without losing a qualifying match, and he will again need his side playing at the peak of their abilities to progress from an exceptionally competitive group containing holders Italy, England and Portugal. Challandes is helped by how used his side are to playing together as a unit, as well as the individual talents therein.

Central figure
Midfield player Cabanas, born in Zurich of Spanish descent, was undoubtedly a central figure in Switzerland's progress, his eight goals making him the leading scorer of the entire qualifying round. The Grasshopper-Club player scored his first full international goal against Sweden in March with a diving header, and is dangerous both inside and outside the box. He appears a certainty to move to one of Europe's more glamorous clubs before long.

Extra dimension
However, Cabanas is far from the only player to watch in the Swiss team. FC Luzern's Daniel Greco has registered five goals in his first eight international U-21 appearances, and adds an extra dimension to their attacking play. Servette FC striker Frei also gets important goals consistently at this level, and is quick, strong and difficult to mark. He has also proved his value at senior level with a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg. SV Werder Bremen left-back Ludovic Magnin is another player with full international experience, and will be a welcome presence in defence against sides with the attacking flair of England, Portugal and Italy.

Difficult opener
How well Switzerland will get on in their debut appearance will become clearer after their difficult opener against England. But if they negotiate successfully that match, and with the home crowd behind them, Portugal and Italy could find things very tricky against the hosts.