vs

The match in Basel bears no significance result wise. Actually, after two defeats Switzerland were eliminated while Portugal already confirmed the first place in the group so Scolari will use the match to rest his key players thus preparing them for the quarterfinals.

Without having many problems Portugal beat Turkey and Czech Republic so it is clear that they have a lot of reserves. We have already written about the carnival atmosphere internationals train in and that the fans have never in history been so optimistic. Of course, this won’t affect the players –coach Scolari is enough of a guarantee that the players will have a serious approach.

Switzerland deserved more; they were left in tears after Turkey beat them at St Jacobs. Just like in the first match against Czech they didn’t have luck so after first two matches they said goodbye to their dreams of the second round. They are playing for honour and history.

Interestingly Switzerland have never won a match in the final tournaments in Europe.

Head-to-heads

Switzerland and Portugal have met each other 19 times before, with Switzerland holding the upper hand with eight wins against six victories for Portugal. Five matches have finished in a draw.

In nine competitive matches (World Cup and European Championship qualifiers), Switzerland have won twice, Portugal have won three times and four matches have been drawn.

This will be their first encounter at a major tournament. Their last meeting came in a World Cup qualifier on 13 October 1993, when Portugal won 1-0 at home, courtesy of Joao Vieira Pinto's winning goal.

Team facts - Switzerland

Been eliminated from the knock-out stages at Euro 2008 and will finish fourth in Group A. In their previous two European Championship participations, Switzerland also finished fourth in their group.

Only the second host country after Belgium in 2000 which failed to progress from the group stages since the introduction of the knock-out stages in 1984.

Still awaiting their first victory at the European Championship after eight winless matches. This constitutes the longest running winless streak in the competition, which is also just one match short of the record set by the Soviet Union/CIS/Russia, between 1988 and 1996.

At 25 years and 44 days, Switzerland fielded the youngest starting line-up at Euro 2008 in the match against Turkey, and the youngest Swiss starting line-up ever in a European Championship match.

Team facts - Portugal

Qualified for the next round as winners of Group A. They are the only country amongst nations with at least four participations in the European Championship to have progressed from the group stages on all participations.

Now won a record seven successive group phase matches at European Championships and World Cups. The Portuguese extended their unbeaten sequence in competitive matches to 13, their second best streak ever. Their last competitive defeat came on 11 October 2006 in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Poland (2-1).

Player facts - Portugal

If he sees action, Nuno Gomes will equal Luis Figo (14) as Portugal's record appearance maker at European Championships.

If Gomes scores, he will become the third player to score in three different European Championships, joining Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany) and Vladimir Smicer (Czech Republic). Thierry Henry (France) and Henrik Larsson (Sweden) can also achieve this feat at Euro 2008.

If selected, Paolo Ferreira will win his 50th international cap for Portugal.

Jose Bosingwa will be suspended if he receives another yellow card.

Miscellaneous Info

The last time Konrad Plautz was referee in a match of the Swiss National team was on 15 May 2002 when they lost 3-1 against Canada in a friendly international.

Plautz 'refereed' Portugal on 6 September 2006, when they drew 1-1 in Finland in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

• Switzerland, already without injured strikers Alex Frei and Marco Streller, may have to make a further change to their front line after reserve Eren Derdiyok hurt his ankle in Wednesday's defeat against Turkey. An attacking midfielder may be needed to lead the line.
  

• The Swiss have won eight and drawn five of their 19 meetings with Portugal but their last victory was 26 years ago. Portugal won the last meeting 1-0 in 1993.

Player to watch

Johann Vonlanthen(Swiss)  : Much was expected of the 22-year-old midfielder pre-tournament, and having failed to deliver so far he will be keen to give the Swiss fans something to cheer about.

Nani (Portugal ) : Manchester United's showboater supreme loves nothing better than a game when the pressure's off, so expect him to demonstrate his full repertoire of flicks and tricks.

Possible Line Up :

Switzerland : Benaglio, Magnin, Senderos, Djourou, Lichtsteiner, Vonlanthen, Fernandes, Inler, Behrami, Yakin, Gygax

Subs : Müller, Zuberbühler, Huggel, Degen, Cabanas, Spycher, Grichting, Barnetta, Jakupovic, Derdiyok

Injured : Frei, Streller

Manager: Köbi Kuhn

Czech : Ricardo, Miguel, Alves, Pepe, Ferreira, Quaresma, Meira, Meireles, Nani, Gomes, Almeida.

Subs : Simao, Nuno, Petit, Bosingwa, Deco, Carvalho, Postiga, Ronaldo, Moutinho, Ribeiro, Veloso, Patricio

Manager: Luis Felipe Scolari

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