Founded: 1895 UEFA Affiliated: 1954 EURO Appearances: 2 EURO titles: 0 Hosts' Burden Being co-hosts will make EURO 2008 a special occasion for Switzerland, who will be looking to improve their European record. Switzerland have participated just twice in the European championship and failed to go beyond the group stage on both occasions. "Success would be to reach the quarter-finals. Of course it won't be easy, but that has to be our goal," Switzerland coach Kobi Kuhn said. "Four years ago, when we really hit a low point, I developed an internal strategy with the title 'European Champions 2008'. "That was being very optimistic but we have to strive towards big goals and go out there with the necessary confidence to deal with these challenges." Switzerland will compete with 2004 runners-up Portugal, Czech Republic and Turkey to acquire a quarter-final spot for the first time in their European history. "We're in a genuinely attractive group with the likes of Portugal, the Czechs and the Turks, all capable of really good football," Kuhn told FIFA.com. "We're on home soil, so it goes without saying we're hoping to qualify for the next round. But we have all the respect in the world for our distinguished opponents." History Switzerland have a decent history in World Cups. They made a notable impact in the majority of the tournaments they participated in. The 'Nati' reached the quarter-finals three times in 1934 and 1938 as well as the 1954 tournament, which they hosted. Switzerland also progressed to the second round in 1994 and 2006, in which they were eliminated after a penalty shootout defeat to Ukraine.
Kobi Kuhn However, their European record is far from impressive. They took part in the 1996 and 2004 tournaments but failed to impress, suffering a first-round exit from both editions. Switzerland have a chance to make history in Europe and qualify to the second round when they co-host EURO 2008 with neighbors Austria. Coach: Jakob 'Kobi' Kuhn (Swiss) After spells with Swiss youth teams, Kuhn finally took charge of Switzerland's senior side in June 2001 after his predecessor, Argentinean coach Enzo Trossero, failed to guide Switzerland to a place in the 2002 World Cup. He helped Switzerland qualify for EURO 2004 in Portugal. Although the team failed to book a place in the quarter-finals, Switzerland kept faith in Kuhn to lead them in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers. The 64-year-old repaid that faith by leading Switzerland to a place in the World Cup finals in Germany. The team also fared well in the tournament as they progressed to the second round after finishing on top of Group G that featured eventual runners-up France, South Korea and Togo. Switzerland were eliminated after a shootout defeat to Ukraine following a goalless draw. Kuhn has announced that he would step down as Switzerland coach following EURO 2008. German veteran coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who led Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title, will replace him. "I'm sure I won't be bored, although my life won't be as structured as it is now," Kuhn commented on his resignation. Tactics Switzerland's young players have proved that they have what it takes to make a good impression in prestigious competitions. Kuhn has stuck with the youngsters who excelled during the 2006 World Cup, and introduced new faces. "In the meantime I've introduced even more new blood - and not just for the sake of it either," he said. "A handful of younger players have broken into the team, because there's been so much genuinely fantastic work done with our junior national teams. "Obviously, it's not our intention simply to field the youngest team, but to send out a team capable of holding its own, Star Player - Alexander Frei
