Euro 2016 preview: Switzerland strives to exorcise tournament demons

It's unfortunate that Switzerland's role in the European game has predominantly been to house corrupt FIFA executives in Zurich. While world football's governing body's suited throng have lined their pockets with suspicious pay raises and bonuses, the country's national team efforts in the European Championships have left its fans sadly bankrupt of success.

Switzerland's first foray in the Euros came in 1996, when Artur Jorge took his contentious squad selection into the tournament. Before its opener against host England, the Swiss support was already questioning the new manager, finding him an inadequate replacement for the popular Roy Hodgson. The 1-1 draw was as good as it got for Switzerland, with losses to the Netherlands and Scotland dumping it out of the group stages.

An eight-year wait was required for Switzerland's next chance in the European Championships, but it was a case of Groundhog Day in Portugal as an opening draw - this time against Croatia - was followed by two more losses and another bottom-placed finish in its group. Under the superbly named Kobi Kuhn four years later, things didn't fare much better, with the team ending the campaign again rooted to the bottom of its group, and this time on home soil.

In a tournament where just eight teams out of 24 will fail to make the knockout rounds, Switzerland will hope to finally progress beyond the first three matches.

Group Schedule

Projected Starting XI

The 4-3-3 is easily adapted into a 4-2-3-1, but the former is likely to be utilised by manager Vladimir Petkovic; positioning Valon Behrami and Blerim Dzemaili either side of Granit Xhaka to allow him to instigate attacks in a role reminiscent of an NFL quarterback.

Up front, the former Lazio gaffer has more to ponder. Opt for regular Haris Seferovic despite his recent drab form for Eintracht Frankfurt, or instead field Eren Derdiyok, whose goals helped Kasimpasa to a seventh-placed finish in the Turkish Super Lig? Judging from selections and performances in Switzerland's warmup games, Derdiyok will get the nod to be flanked by Petkovic's stacked and exciting legion of wing wanderers in attack.

Key Player: Granit Xhaka

Xhaka, 23, could be an integral part of the Arsenal and Switzerland lineups for some time, and France will be the first opportunity for many Premier League fans to take a good look at the busy midfielder. It cost the Gunners a fee worth upwards of £25 million to prize Xhaka away from Borussia Monchengladbach, and in doing so they have acquired a player with a dazzling array of passing and superb vision. If Switzerland is to make an impact in Euro 2016, expect this man to be a large part of it.

Breakout Star: Breel Embolo

FC Basel had to fight off the advances of VfL Wolfsburg to retain the services of Breel Embolo back in January, apparently shunning a fee worth in excess of €25 million. His pace, trickery, and strength have attracted many elite clubs across the continent and, if given the opportunity, he can shine at Euro 2016. Perhaps most refreshing about Embolo is his honesty, displayed back in November when he pointed out to the referee that he had incorrectly awarded Basel a corner when his side was down 3-2 to the rival Grasshoppers. The official thanked him, and opponent Harun Alpsoy laid a kiss on the teenage talent.

Tournament Expectations

Reaching the Round of 16 is the bare-minimum expectation for Petkovic's side. The final game comes against a formidable opponent in host France, but before then, matches against Albania and Romania pose potentially close but ultimately winnable games. Should Switzerland reach the knockout round, it's likely its first opponent would be either Poland or Ukraine.