We kick off our Euro 2008 team profiles with a look at Group A contenders and co-hosts Switzerland.

SWITZERLAND

Current FIFA ranking

48 - Between Belgium and Lithuania

Route to finals

Automatically qualified as hosts, along with neighbours Austria, upon winning the right to host the finals in December 2002.

International pedigree

After reaching the World Cup quarter-finals on three occasions - in 1934, 1938 and as hosts in 1954 - it seems as though their best days are behind them. The 'Schweizer Nati' have only ever made it to two European Championships, in 1996 and 2004. After not conceding a single goal at the 2006 World Cup, they were knocked out by Ukraine on penalties in the second round.

Coach

After four successive foreign coaches, Jakob Kuhn became the first Swiss manager of the national side in 12 years when he was promoted from the under-21s in June 2001. The man nicknamed 'Kobi' announced in 2006 that he would step down from his role following the tournament.

Familiar faces

Arsenal duo Philippe Senderos (pictured) and John Djourou are both in the squad, as are Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes and ex-Tottenham Hotspur. Striker Eren Derdiyok, 19, came off the bench to score on his international debut against England at Wembley in February. Liverpool fans will have the chance to check out right-back Philipp Degen, who will move to Anfield on a free transfer in July. Skillful playmaker Hakan Yakin has caught the eye on several occasions over the years.

Potential stars

Borussia Dortmund striker Alexander Frei was scoring regularly in the Bundesliga before hip and calf operations put him out of action for almost a year. Has an impressive strike rate at international level, with an impressive 32 goals in 56 international appearances, just two strikes short of equalling the Swiss all-time record.

Chances

Derdiyok's goal in the 2-1 defeat at Wembley is their only goal in four matches since beating co-hosts Austria 3-1 in a friendly last October. In a group that includes Portugal, Czech Republic and Turkey, coach Kuhn will do well to bow out of the job with his side finishing third in the group

Possible starting XI

Diego Benaglio (Nacional); Johan Djourou (Arsenal), Philipp Degen (Borussia Dortmund), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), Ludovic Magnin (Stuttgart); Valon Behrami (Lazio), Gelson Fernandes (Manchester City), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen); Alexander Frei (Borussia Dortmund), Marco Streller (Basel).

Back-ups

Goalkeepers: Eldin Jakupovic (Grasshoppers Zurich), Pascal Zuberbuhler (Neuchatal Xamax); Defenders: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lille), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Patrick Muller (Lyon); Midfielders: Ricardo Cabanas (Grasshoppers), Daniel Gygax (Metz), Benjamin Huggel (Basel), Hakan Yakin (Young Boys); Forwards: Eren Derdiyok (Basel) Johann Vonlanthen (Red Bull Salzburg)

Group A fixtures

07/06/08 - v Czech Republic

11/06/08 - v Turkey

15/06/08 - v Portugal

Tony Mabert / Eurosport