World Cup 2014: Keep An Eye Out For Switzerland

As we inch closer to the biggest spectacle in world football, the camps of bigger nations are doing all they can to ensure that there is no slip up whatsoever in the early stages of the World Cup. The littler nations, knowing that triumph is a farfetched dream, are looking to earn themselves the title of ai???giant killersai???.

Belgium seem to be everyoneai??i??s second favorite team, primarily because of their large number of top stars in the Premier League. Chile are another team that seem capable of pulling off an upset or two and going further than most expect. Then there are the proven surprise packages such as South Korea and Croatia that bigger sides will have to watch out for.

Another force that sides are going to have to reckon with this year is Switzerland. They are currently ranked eigth by FIFA, an indication of just how good this team has been over the past few years. While some question FIFAai??i??s rankings, Switzerland’s performances against sides like Brazil, Germany and Croatia over the past couple of years are testament to the ability of this team.

Here are five reasons why people should be weary of this Swiss side during World Cup 2014.

A little bit of history and an easy group

Not much of Switzerlandai??i??s group stage exploits from 2006 are remembered in what was an immensely eventful tournament, but a trip back in time reminds us that Switzerland were drawn against France back then. In their opener against the French, Switzerland held their ground, frustrating Les Blues and earning a valuable 0-0 draw. If that wasnai??i??t enough, Switzerland also went on to top their group and go into the knockout round without a single loss nor a single goal conceded.

France and Switzerland are drawn together in Group E this time, along with Ecuador and Honduras. Didier Deschampsai??i?? side has looked below par for a long time and pose far less of a threat than France did back in 2006. Ecuador and Honduras will have the advantage of being used to conditions in Brazil, but the gulf in quality will not be bridged by just this single factor in their favor. Switzerland couldnai??i??t have asked for an easier group, and we all know that anything can happen in the knockout rounds.

Fair share of big names

Belgium might have the flair of Eden Hazard and the strength of Vincent Kompany, Chile can boast of the speed of Alexis Sanchez and the ever so industrious Arturo Vidal, but Switzerland have their share of superstars too. In Stephan Lichtsteiner they have one of the most consistent right backs, and possibly among the top five in the world. For anyone who has even remotely followed the Bundesliga, the ability of Ricardo Rodriguez on the left side of defense will be nothing new.

Napoliai??i??s midfield trio GAi??khan Inler, Blerim Dzemaili and Valon Behrami have become household names in Italian football, while Xherdan Shaqiri needs no introduction at all. With big names aplenty in the Swiss camp, high pressure situations are something they will be most accustomed to ai??i?? a factor that may take them far in Brazil.

Good domestic seasons

Good form over the domestic season could prove to be a major factor in helping sides perform at the World Cup this time around. While long domestic seasons may have drained many, the momentum drawn from a good club season cannot be underestimated.

Switzerlandai??i??s first choice keeper Diego Benaglio had a decent campaign with VfL Wolfsburg, but itai??i??s Yann Sommer who may well be in goal after having yet another cracking campaign with FC Basel. Both full backs, as mentioned earlier, have been remarkable and Rodriguez may well be using the World Cup to propel himself to one of the bigger clubs for next season. In the center of defense, young Fabian SchAi??r has grown from strength to strength and could possibly be a regular feature in Brazil.

Napoliai??i??s attack may have stolen the show with 77 goals in Serie A this season, but Inlerai??i??s importance to the unit is unquestionable. Dzemaili, Inlerai??i??s partner in midfield, also enjoyed a commendable season in Italy. The duoai??i??s understanding built in Naples will be most important come June. Valentin Stocker, one of the more attacking options in midfield, also had a top campaign. The 25-year-old helped Basel to the top of Swiss football with 13 goals, tied for second in the league.

Admir Mehmedi and Josip Drmic, both plying their trade in the Bundesliga, had scintillating seasons for SC Freiburg and FC Nuremburg respectively. With a combined total of 29 goals in 59 starts, it seems highly likely that these two youngsters will be heading the Swiss frontline in Brazil.

The ideal blend of youth and experience

In Shaqiri, Mehmedi, Rodriguez, SchAi??r and Drmic, Switzerland are blessed with some of the most exciting prospects in world football. But this youthful exuberance alone will not be enough if the Swiss are to pull off a big scalp or two at the biggest stage of all. But luckily for them, this side also has that hugely valuable experience in the form of players like Inler, Tranquillo Barnetta, Lichtsteiner and Philippe Senderos.

The Hitzfeld factor and hopes of a perfect swansong

Does Ottmar Hitzfeld really require an introduction? Two-time Swiss league champions with Grasshopper, two time Bundesliga winners and a UEFA Champions League triumph with Borussia Dortmund, and five Bundesliga trophies, three DFB-Pokal wins and a Champions League with Bayern Munich ai??i?? Hitzfeld has done it all at the club level. The manai??i??s credentials far exceed those of most others to have ever attempted their hand at coaching.

ButAi??Der Generalai??i??s exploits away from club football are minimal as this is in fact his very first stint as a coach of a nation. Far from sensational in South Africa and having failed to go to Poland and Ukraine, Hitzfeldai??i??s Switzerland havenai??i??t done what was expected of them over the past four years.

Hitzfeld also announced that this will be his last managerial role, making the 2014 World Cup all the more special for him. With one final shot at glory, Hitzfeld will drive his boys to the limit, and it should come as no surprise if any of the big guns fall at the feet of one of the greatest tacticians ever.

Hipsters, this is one side you should seriously considering backing in Brazil!