Slovenia has played six times with Switzerland, won once, tied once and lost four times, with the total goal difference of 5:13. About a year ago in the 1st round of qualifications in Ljubljana Switzerland won 0:2 (Xhaka 20., Inler 51.). Foto: MMC RTV SLO/Sandi Fišer
Slovenia has played six times with Switzerland, won once, tied once and lost four times, with the total goal difference of 5:13. About a year ago in the 1st round of qualifications in Ljubljana Switzerland won 0:2 (Xhaka 20., Inler 51.). Foto: MMC RTV SLO/Sandi Fišer
Benjamin Huggel - Sebastja Cimirotič
And yet Slovenian fans still remember that precious victory of the Katanec team in Basel. At that occasion the match was won in the 82 minute, Sebastjan Cimerotič scored after a big mistake captain Henchoz made. Foto: EPA
Islandija - Norveška
In 27 reciprocal matches Norway won 16 times, Iceland 7 times, and only 4 matches ended in a tie.. In 9 qualification duels the Norwegians won 4 times, the Islanders 3 times. In six encounters in Oslo the results were 3-1-2 for the hosts. Foto: EPA
Danska - Švedska na Euru 2004
The honesty and fair-play are a trade mark of the Scandinavian people, but not so much in football … Especially the Italians remember well the painful experience from Euro 2004 and the tie 2:2 agreed upon by Denmark and Sweden – the only result which kept both the teams in the play, and pushed Italy out. Foto: EPA

The Ottmar Hitzfeld's team entered the qualifications for Brasil as only the third-ranking team, behind Norway and Slovenia, which was partly also the consequence of the Euro 2008 at home. But even before the start it was obvious that they were the E group favourites, which was confirmed on the field as well: six victories, three ties, and direct qualification for the WC.

The Swiss undefeated for 13 matches
"Our next goal is to remain undefeated on Tuesday as well, with Slovenia, which is something Switzerland hasn't ever managed," Gelson Fernandes, the Swiss midfielder revealed. In the euphoric atmosphere of the Stade de Suisse Stadium, in front of 32 thousand fans they won't be playing only for a nice-looking statistics, but for something much more tangible: a seed position at the December draw of groups for World Championship in Bahia.

Switzerland hasn't faced defeat for 13 matches in a row, i.e. for a year and a half, and is presently14th in Fifa ranking. Deletion of the old results and the two planned victories in October could bring to Switzerland the 7th place, which would result in the seed position and thus more favourable opponents at the World Championship in Brasil.

The Swiss fate depends on South Americans as well
A number of scenarios is possible, but the first condition for a great Swiss success remains the victory over Slovenia. Afterwards "Nati" can only wait for the results of the South American qualifications and hope Columbia and Uruguay don't win. Uruguay, probably facing the additional qualifying round with Jordan, will play as a guest in Argentina, and Columbia plays host to Paraguay.

"The first pot is a very big motivation, although we can afford to be a bit more relaxed," thinks Valentin Stocker. That the enthusiasm for Brasil hasn't overwhelmed the Swiss representatives was confirmed also by one of the most experienced Swiss football players, the midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta: "It will be the first preparatory match for Brasil. We intend to finish these qualifications with a victory in front of our fans."