Tomorrow, Switzerland contests at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion in a friendly international against Costa Rica. For the Swiss national team, it is the penultimate test before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
The FIFA World Cup in South Africa will be the ninth tournament with the participation of the Swiss national team. The greatest successes in Switzerland are already back half an eternity. In the years 1934, 1938 and 1954, the Confederates reached the quarterfinals. At the last World Cup in Germany in 2006 the "Nati" prevailed in the first round, but failed in the last sixteen against Ukraine. The Round of 16 this year should be quite possible. The side of coach Ottmar Hitzfeld meets in Group H Spain, Honduras and Chile. Only European champion Spain is likely to be out of reach. In qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, the Swiss came out on top against Greece, Israel, Latvia, Luxembourg and Moldova. With six wins, three draws and a defeat the Swiss team booked as group winner the World Cup ticket. They only had to accept defeat against underdog Luxembourg (1:2).
Costa Rica failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Long time the odds for the Costa Ricans in the CONCACAF qualifying seemed very well for a WC participation, but on the final day Honduras still displaced them to fourth place. And this in literally the last second. While Honduras won in El Salvador 1:0, Costa Rica played in the away game against the USA draw (2:2). Costa Rica has already led 2:0 but in injury time Jonathan Bornstein scored nor the equaliser (95'). Thus, Costa Rica was in the relegation matches against Uruguay, in which the Mesoamericans failed on aggregate 1:2.
Switzerland must relinquish Christoph Spycher (knee injury) and Marco Streller (torn muscle in his left thigh). Both must also quit for the World Cup. Team manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has nominated Ludovic Magnin and Albert Bunjaka.
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica
Tuesday, 1st of June 2010, 20:15 CET
International Friendly
Stade de Tourbillon, Sion
Tip: Win for Switzerland
The best odd for tip 1 is currently 1.57 at bet365.
