Source: Xinhua
06-05-2008 13:25
Special Report: 2008 European ChampionshipsGENEVA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Three days before the opening of the Euro 2008 soccer championship, co-host Switzerland is gearing up for the opener against the Czech Republic in Basel.
Switzerland assistant coach Michel Pont has challenged his team to find the right balance in their mental approach to the tournament.
Pont said he believed that it is important his players discover the right mix between nervousness and pleasant anticipation, tension and calmness.
"It will nevertheless now be important for the young players to make their first experiences during such a big tournament," said Pont. "We will not change our daily routines now, because expectation and pressure are already high enough on the players."
Pont had watched the Czechs several times and he said there was a feeling in the Swiss camp that they had prepared well for a tournament. "They have a very good team with lots of qualities when attacking," Pont pointed out. "They surely have their weaknesses as well, and we plan to prepare ourselves for those."
Midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta is expected to return to full training after an ankle injury. Defender Muller is not yet at full fitness after recovering from a torn cruciate ligament.
Pont admitted: "There has not yet been a final talk between head coach Kobi Kuhn and Patrick as to whether he is fit enough to play on Saturday."
Switzerland is in Group A together with the Czech Republic, Portugal and Turkey.
Editor:Zhang Ning
