Traditionally host nations punch above their weight in international tournaments. In Euro 2000, Belgium were the first host nation not to reach the semi-finals, which with ten tournaments having been played previously is a staggering statistic.

 Despite not having qualified for Euro 2008, Belgians will have something to cheer about as it is almost certain that Austria will not qualify from Group B. But as we saw in the 2002 World Cup, there is a fair chance that Switzerland could go far with the backing of home support as their ‘12th man’.

Here is a guide to the two hosts of Euro 2008, who most pundits seem to agree are unlikely to even qualify from their respective groups.

'Austrian fans are so ashamed of their team that they don’t want them to compete - and a relatively strong Swiss side are shunned by some of their country who prefer other sports'


Austria

Austria are so bad that a section of their fans have called on their national team to give up their place at Euro 2008 – there can be nothing more damning than that. An online petition appeals to football fans who "fall into a dismal state of depression when watching a match featuring the Austrian national football team… to voluntarily resign from participating in the Euro 2008".

The title of the online petition is “Oesterreich zeigt Rueckgrat” – Austria, show some backbone.” To make things worse for the Austrians, they find themselves in a group with the favourites, Germany, and many people’s dark horses, Croatia. The other team in the group, Poland, led by the savvy Leo Beenhakker, will be no pushovers either.

For a team not even in the top 100 of the FIFA rankings, it all adds up to a case of staving off humiliation rather than leaving an indelible mark on the tournament. And looking through the Austrian squad this feeling is further confirmed about a national side that have not qualified for an international tournament in ten years and in recent months have failed to beat such football heavyweights as Malta and Tunisia.

Alex Manninger is a decent keeper and defenders Martin Stranzl and Emanuel Pogatetz offer presence and will be needed to stay strong. Much of the Austrian hopes are placed on Andres Ivanschitz, the ‘David Beckham of Austria’, who will have to show all his hard work and skills if his country are to avoid embarrassment.

 Third in the group is probably the most Austria can hope for, which pretty much says it all.

Switzerland

Unlike much of the rest of the world, football competes with a number of other sports in Switzerland and although they qualified for the last World Cup, the Swiss have never really made their mark on the world game. Certainly not in the same way as some of their sportsmen have, for example Roger Federer.

But the Swiss come into this tournament with some promising players and are not stuck in the doldrums like their co-hosts, even if much of the country is not that interested in Euro 2008.

Three-quarters of the backline is now made up of Premier League players. New Liverpool signing Philipp Degen will start at right-back and the Arsenal centre-back pairing of Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou could be crucial to Swiss success.

Whilst some have mocked Senderos for crucial mistakes and his lumbering style, the Gunners defender can produce fine performances and appears to be more consistent for his national team. Djourou has not played all that often for the Arsenal first team, but that could be as much to do with the quality of Arsene Wenger’s squad rather than his own ability.

Gelson Fernandes should start in midfield and his high work rate will be crucial to give Hakan Yakin and Tranquillo Barnetta the space and time to make things happen. Barnetta was Switzerland’s best player at the last World Cup; the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder was the only player to display a creative touch and presence. And Yakin has shown in European club competition that he is a gifted attacking midfielder.

Up front, Alexander Frei will give the Swiss a chance in every game. The Borussia Dortmund striker is a proven goal scorer; last week he notched his 34th and 35th strikes for the national team to become the all-time record scorer. Coach Kobi Kuhn could also promote Eren Dediyok, a striker who knows where the goal is.

Unlike previous hosts, Austria and Switzerland are the odd couple. Austrian fans are so ashamed of their team that they don’t want them to compete - and a relatively strong Swiss side are shunned by some of their country who prefer other sports.

If one of them can progress from their group, the tournament will be richer for it and opinions could change in the respective countries, which will most likely contribute to a more intriguing Euro 2008.

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