Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Switzerland

Switzerland are in Group H at the World Cup and will play Spain, Chile and Honduras. This is the Switzerland squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Diego Benaglio, Club- Wolfsburg, Age at the World Cup (AWC) 26.

RB. Stephan Lichtsteiner, Club- Lazio, (AWC) 26.

CB. Stephane Grichting, Club- Auxerre, (AWC) 31.

CB. Steve von Bergen, Club- Hertha Berlin, (AWC) 27.

LB. Reto Ziegler, Club- Sampdoria, (AWC) 24.

CDM. Gelson Fernandes, Club- AS Saint-Etienne, (AWC) 23.

RM. Valon Behrami, Club- West Ham, (AWC) 25.

CM. Gokhan Inler, Club- Udinese, (AWC) 25.

LW. Tranquillo Barnetta, Club- Bayer Leverkusen, (AWC) 25.

ST. Blaise Nkufo, Club- FC Twente, (AWC) 35.

ST. Eren Derdiyok, Club- Bayer Leverkusen, (AWC) 21.

Subs

GK. Fabio Coltorti, Club- Racing Santander, (AWC) 29.

GK. Marco Wolfli, Club- Young Boys (Switzerland), (AWC) 27.

RB. Kim Jaggy, Club- Skoda Xanthi (Greece), (AWC) 27.

CB. Mario Eggimann, Club- Hannover 96, (AWC) 29.

CB. Bruno Berner, Club- Leicester City (Championship), (AWC) 32.

LB. Christoph Spycher, Club- Eintracht Frankfurt, (AWC) 32.

CDM. Fabian Lustenberger, Club- Hertha Berlin, (AWC) 22.

RW. Valentin Stocker, Club- FC Basel, (AWC) 21.

CM. Pirmin Schwegler, Club- Entracht Frankfurt, (AWC) 23.

LM. Xherdan Shaqiri, Club- FC Basel, (AWC) 18.

ST. Albert Bunjaku, Club- FC Nuremberg, (AWC) 26.

ST. Marco Streller, Club- FC Basel, (AWC) 28.

The Coach

Switzerland are coached by German Ottmar Hitzfeld. Hitzfeld was appointed coach of the Swiss national team during the 2008 European summer and had never previously been coach of a ntional team. At club level Hitzfeld has been successful in Switzerland and Germany. In Switzerland Hitzfeld managed FC Aarau and then Grasshopper winning a total of 2 Swiss Super League titles and 3 Swiss Cups. In Germany he managed Borussia Dortmund for six years between 1991 and 1997, and won 2 Bundesliga titles and the 1997 Champions League. Hitzfeld has also managed Bayern Munich and during his two stints with the club he won 5 Bundesliga titles 3 German Cups and the 2001 Champions League.

Hitzfeld is only one of three managers to win the European Cup with two different clubs, has been twice been decreed "World Coach of the Year" (1997,2001) and voted by the Bayern Munch fans as their clubs greatest ever coach.

Switzerland's Strengths

Switzerland have a very even squad, with all their players playing in some of the best leagues in Europe.

Switzerland's weakness

What Switzerland lack the most is a few top quality players with the ability to change a match by themselves, this will prevent Switzerland from going far in the World Cup.

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Slovenia

Slovenia are in Group C at the World Cup and will play Algeria, the USA and England. This is the Slovenia squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Samir Handanovic, Club- Udinese, Age at the World Cup (AWC) 25.

RB. Aleksander Rajcevic, Club- FC Koper (Slovenia), (AWC) 23.

CB. Marko Suler, Club- Gent (Belgium), (AWC) 27.

CB. Bostjan Cesar, Club- Grenoble (Ligue 1), (AWC) 27.

LB. Miso Brecko, Club- Koln (Bundesliga), (AWC) 26.

CM. Dalibor Stevanovic, Club- Vitesse, (AWC) 25.

RM. Robert Koren, Club- West Bromwich Albion (Championship), (AWC) 29.

LW. Valter Birsa, Club- Auxerre, (AWC) 23.

CAM. Nejc Pecnik, Club- Nacional (Portugal), (AWC) 24.

ST. Milivoje Novakovic, Club- Koln (Bundesliga), (AWC) 31.

ST. Zlatko Dedic, Club- Bochum, (AWC) 26.

Subs

GK. Aleksander Seliga, Club- Sparta Rotterdam, (AWC) 30.

GK. Jasmin Handanovic, Club- Mantova (Serie B), (AWC) 32.

RB. Branko Ilic, Club- Lokomotiv Moscow, (AWC) 27.

CB. Dejan Kelhar, Club- Cercle Brugge, (AWC) 26.

CB. Matej Mavric, Club- Tus Koblenz (Bundesliga), (AWC) 31.

LB. Elvedin Dzinic, Club- NK Maribor (Slovenia), (AWC) 24.

CDM. Darijan Matic, Club- Rapid Bucharest (Romania), (AWC) 27.

RW. Klemen Lavric, Club- SK Sturm Graz (Austria), (AWC) 28.

LM. Andraz Kim, Club- Wisla Krakow (Poland), (AWC) 25.

CAM. Milenko Acimovic, Club- FK Austria Wien (Austria), (AWC) 33.

ST. Tim Matavz, Club- Groningen, (AWC) 21.

ST. Dejan Kelhar, Club- Cercle Brugge, (AWC) 26.

The Coach

Slovenia are coached by compatriot Matjak Kek. Kek was appointed coach of the Slovenian national team at the beginning of 2007. Previously Kek has coached Slovenian club side Maribor and the Slovenian under 15 and 16 national teams.

Slovenia's strengths

Their strikers, up front Slovenia can between a group of players playing in some of Europe's best leagues. They also have a nice mix of youth and experience.

Slovenia's weakness

Slovenia are at their weakest in defence where they have to use a couple of players still playing in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Greece

Greece are in Group B at the World Cup and will play South Korea, Nigeria and Argentina. This is the Greek squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Kostas Chalkis, Club- PAOK, (AWC) 36.

RB. Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Club- Genoa, (AWC) 22.

CB. Vangelis Moras, Club- Bologna, (AWC) 28.

CB. Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Club- Liverpool, (AWC) 30.

LB. Nikos Spiropoulos, Club- Panathinaikos, (AWC) 26.

CDM. Kostas Katsouranis, Club- Panathinaikos, (AWC) 30.

RM. Sotris Ninis, Club- Panathinakos, (AWC) 20.

LW. Vasilios Koutsianikoulis, Club- PAOK, (AWC) 21.

CAM. Nikos Liberopoulos, Club- Entracht Franfurt, (AWC) 34.

ST. Georgios Samaras, Club- Celtic, (AWC) 25.

ST. Theofanis Gekas, Club- Hertha Berlin, (AWC) 30.

Subs

GK. Alexandros Tzorvas, Club- Panathinaikos, (AWC) 27.

GK. Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Club- Coventry City (Championship), (AWC) 31.

RB. Giannis Maniatis, Club- Panionios (Greece), (AWC) 23.

CB. Dimitrios Pappas, Club- Rot Weiss Oberhauen (2nd Bundesliga), (AWC) 30.

CB. Avraam Papadopoulos, Club- Olympiacos, (AWC) 26.

LB. Vasilis Torosidis, Club- Olympiacos, (AWC) 25.

CDM. Grigoris Makos, Club- AEK Athens, (AWC) 23.

CM. Giorgos Karagounis, Club- Panathinaikos, (AWC) 33.

RW. Dimitris Salpigidis, Club- Panathinaikos, (AWC) 28.

LW. Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, Club- Panathinaikos, (AWC) 23.

ST. Angelos Charisteas, Club- Nuremberg, (AWC) 30.

ST. Kostas Mitroglou, Club- Olympiacos, (AWC) 22.

The Coach

Greece are coached by German Otto Rehhagel, who has been in charge since 2001. Under Rehhagel's guidance Greece have qualified for the 2004 and 08 European Championships, the 2010 World Cup and won the 2004 European Championship. Before becoming coach of the Greek national team Rehhagel also had a successful career coaching at club level in Germany. He spent fourteen seasons at Werder Bremen winning two German Championships, two German Cups and one Cup Winners Cup with them. In total during his coaching career in Germany he won a total of three German Championships and three German Cups.

Rehhagel is known as being a good motivator and instilling into his players a lot of team spirit. He likes the spine of his team to consist of older more experienced players. In defense Rehhagel likes to use a dominant libero, he also prefers to use defenders with physical prowess rather then with footballing ability. He likes his teams to attack down the wings and will try to start with at least one striker who is strong in the air and a good header of the ball.

Greece's strengths

Greece is at it's strongest up front where it call upon players currently playing in the SPL and the Bundesliga.

Greece's weakness

Greece's weakest position is in the goalkeeping department with all options currently playing in the Greek Super League.

Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Mexico

Mexico are in Group A at the World Cup and will play South Africa, France, and Uruguay. This is the Mexican squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Guilermo Ochoa, Club- America (Mexico), Age at the World Cup (AWC) 24.

RB. Rafael Marquez, Club- Barcelona, (AWC) 31.

CB. Hector Moreno, Club- AZ Alkmaar, (AWC) 22.

CB. Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Club- PSV Eindhoven, (AWC) 28.

LB. Carlos Salcido, Club- PSV Eindhoven, (AWC) 30.

CDM. Pavel Pardo, Club- Club America (Mexico), (AWC) 33.

RW. Fernando Arce, Club- Santos Laguna (Mexico), (AWC) 30.

LW. Andres Guardado, Club- Deportivo La Coruna, (AWC) 23.

CAM. Giovani dos Santos, Club- Galatasaray, (AWC) 21.

ST. Guillermo Franco, Club- West Ham, (AWC) 33.

ST. Javier Hernandez, Club- Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico), (AWC) 22.

Subs

GK. Oscar Perez, Club- Chiapas (Mexico), (AWC) 37.

GK. Jose de Jesus Corona, Club- Cruz Azul (Mexico), (AWC) 29.

RB. Ricardo Osorio, Club- VFB Stuttgart, (AWC) 30.

CB. Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Club- Club America (Mexico), (AWC) 26.

CB. Jonny Magallon, Club- Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico), (AWC) 28.

LB. Jorge Torres Nilo, Club- Atlas (Mexico), (AWC) 22.

CM. Luis Noriega, Club- Puebla (Mexico), (AWC) 25.

RW. Braulio Luna, Club- San Luis (Mexico), (AWC) 35.

LM. Daniel Arreola, Club- Atlante (Mexico), (AWC) 24.

CAM. Nery Castillo, Club- FC Dnipro (Ukraine), (AWC) 25.

ST. Aldo De Nigris, Club- Monterrey (Mexico), (AWC) 26.

ST. Carlos Vela, Club- Arsenal, (AWC) 21.

The Coach

Mexico are coached by compatriot Javier Aguirre. Javier Aguirre was appointed as Mexican coach on the 3rd of April 2009. This is Aguirre second stint in charge of the Mexican national team having previously coached Mexico between 2001 and 2002 which included coaching Mexico at the 2002 World Cup. At club level Aguirre has been coach of Mexican sides Atlante and Pachuca and Spanish sides Osasuna and Atletico Madrid.

Mexico's strengths

Mexico's strength is in it's defence where it has a majority of it's players currently playing in various European leagues.

Mexico's weakness

Mexico is at it's weakest in the midfield with most of it's players currently playing in the Mexican Primera Division.