Maybe it might had been rendered as a useless match given coming into this match, co-hosts Switzerland and Portugal had their respective fates being sealed already. Switzerland unfortunately being eliminated at their own backyard by Turkey at the injury-time while Portugal qualified after their win over the Czech Republic.
For Switzerland especially, it's all a matter of pride of now as they want to wow the home fans one last time. For Portugal, all a matter of being at the top of their group. Given the runner-up from Group B will face the winner of Group A. For both respective coaches (Jakob Kuhn and Luiz Felipe Scolari), this tournament will be their final swansong with the respective national teams they are in charge of. Kuhn will be retiring after the final whistle is being blown in Basel (and Ottmar Hitzfeld will take over) while Scolari will be off to Chelsea after the tournament.
It's interesting given Jakob Kuhn (or 'Kobi' as he is affectionately known) came very late into his coaching career (he was in his 50s by then) because if I did not read wrongly once on Reuters, he used to work in insurance. Uh-huh. Anyhow, he is eager for a triumphant farewell as he challenged his demoralised squad to exit on a high. His players know that as they plan a farewell present for their popular coach. As far as those in the 'Nati' are concerned, this is not going to be a 'friendly' match.
For Switzerland coach Jakob Kuhn, even if Portugal may rest some players, he does not expect an easy ride. Well, his counterpart may make several changes (in view of whom their quarter-final opponents could be). Whether one of Portugal's star players Cristiano Ronaldo may feature, it's for sure that with speculation over his future reaching 'fever pitch', Ronaldo himself insists he is only concentrating on the tougher challenges that lie ahead for his country.
On the team-news front. Switzerland's Alexender Frei is definitely out after being carried off the pitch in the opener against the Czech Republic minutes into the first-half, another striker Marco Streller is also another on the injury list like Frei. Eren Derdiyok hurt his ankle in Wednesday's defeat against Turkey.
The last time these two met was in 1993 (it was their 19th meeting) and Portugal won at that time. The last time Switzerland beat the Portugese was 26 years ago. Head-to-head records (info from Reuters) - The Swiss have won eight and drawn five of their 19 meetings with Portugal.
No matter what happens in Basel, future Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld will know that he has inherited a squad with a promise for the future. The 'Nati' have earned their newfound respect despite being eliminated in the 2006 World Cup round-of-16 on penalties to Ukraine (and having the 'honour' of keeping clean sheets until the penalty shootout in Germany two years ago).
