By AVI CREDITOR

Sacha Kljestan's UEFA Champions League dream is over before it could even get started.

Kljestan's RSC Anderlecht fell in its Champions League qualifier to Partizan Belgrade in penalties (3-2) Tuesday after dramatically scoring twice midway in the second half to send the tie to extra time.

Spain 0
Switzerland 1

Spain slumped to a shocking defeat at the hands of minnows Switzerland, who produced one of the biggest World Cup shocks ever.

It was Spain's second defeat since winning Euro 2008 and the architects of 'total football' were left terribly frustrated after Switzerland delivered a resolute defensive performance.

Wenn Fussballer singen, dann wissen wir deutschen Fans schon, dass das nichts werden kann. Die Resonanz ist meistens dementsprechend nicht vorhanden und heute wissen Nationalspieler, dass sie ihr Geld doch besser auf dem Platz verdienen sollten. In der Schweiz sieht man das alles noch nicht so dramatisch.

Switzerland's German manager Ottmar Hitzfeld presented the 23-man final squad for the World Cup. They have a team consisting of players from central European clubs with a great diversity, however they have no big star. I would say that Arturo Vidal's teammate from Bayer Leverkusen Tranquillo Barnetta is their best player.

Switzerland Final squad

Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld

No. Pos. Player DoB/Age Caps Club 1 GK Diego Benaglio 8 September 1983 (aged 26) 25 Wolfsburg 2 DF Stephan Lichtsteiner 16 January 1984 (aged 26) 26 Lazio 3 DF Reto Ziegler 16 January 1986 (aged 24) 10 Sampdoria 4 DF Philippe Senderos 14 February 1985 (aged 25) 38 Everton 5 DF Steve von Bergen 10 June 1983 (aged 27) 10 Hertha Berlin 6 MF Benjamin Huggel 7 July 1977 (aged 32) 36 Basel 7 MF Tranquillo Barnetta 2 May 1985 (aged 25) 50 Bayer Leverkusen 8 MF Gökhan Inler 27 June 1984 (aged 25) 34 Udinese 9 FW Alexander Frei (c) 15 July 1979 (aged 30) 73 Basel 10 FW Blaise Nkufo 25 May 1975 (aged 35) 29 Seattle Sounders 11 MF Valon Behrami 19 April 1985 (aged 25) 26 West Ham United 12 GK Marco Wölfli 22 August 1982 (aged 27) 4 Young Boys 13 DF Stéphane Grichting 30 March 1979 (aged 31) 33 Auxerre 14 MF Marco Padalino 8 December 1983 (aged 26) 7 Sampdoria 15 MF Hakan Yakin 22 February 1977 (aged 33) 80 Luzern 16 MF Gelson Fernandes 2 September 1986 (aged 23) 21 Saint-Étienne 17 DF Christoph Spycher 30 March 1978 (aged 32) 47 Eintracht Frankfurt 18 FW Marco Streller 18 June 1981 (aged 28) 32 Basel 19 FW Eren Derdiyok 12 June 1988 (aged 21) 19 Bayer Leverkusen 20 MF Pirmin Schwegler 9 March 1987 (aged 23) 3 Eintracht Frankfurt 21 GK Johnny Leoni 30 June 1984 (aged 25) 0 Zürich 22 DF Mario Eggimann 24 January 1981 (aged 29) 8 Hannover 96 23 MF Xherdan Shaqiri 10 October 1991 (aged 18) 1 Basel

Most Capped Player: Heinz Herman 177
Top Goalscorer: Alexander Frei 40

Back to 2010 World Cup Squads.

Switzerland just finished up co-hosting a lovely European Championships, one won by Spain, and they were rewarded for their efforts with...Spain.

Certain teams were going to get the luck of the draw, and Switzerland wasn't on that list. They'll open up their World Cup festivities with the tournament favorites, a game where even a close loss will have to be considered a success, before meeting the high-flying Chileans, their biggest competition for that second spot and a team generating an awful lot of hype at the tournament.

It starts with a sudden lowering of the voice. Two quick glances to either side, a furtive slug of the glass, and the mysteries are revealed. Never mind the hand of Thierry Henry and the referee who was told to see nothing. The real European World Cup conspiracy, the one which – like all the very best of its kind – is also the most obvious, is Switzerland's presence at the finals in South Africa.

First there was the Sports Illustrated jinx, then came the Am I Collective mural curse, and now comes the World Cup Blog quiz spell. Everybody's doomed.

The rules stated each player was to be included on their country's squad at the time, but each player seemed a pretty decent bet to make their squad.

Franz Beckenbauer hat eine Diskussion losgetreten, ob Nationalspieler verpflichtet werden sollten, vor Länderspielen die Nationalhymne zu singen. Eine gute Frage die unser „Kaiser" da aufwirft, jeodch denke ich sollte man niemanden dazu zwingen. Solange die volle Identifikation für Deutschland und die deutsche Nationalmannschaft da ist, passt das doch.

Can Humberto Suazo lead Chile out of Group H? (AP)

By Geoff Reid

When the draw for the groups were first announced, Group H didn't raise any eyebrows in-particular and it looked as if European champion Spain would top the group with a three way battle for second place and a shot at the last 16.

They say it gets easier with time, but it never does: Alexander Frei is injured on the doorstep of a major tournament.

He was the tear-jerking story of the Euros in '08 when his knee went to shreds before he'd had a chance to play a full half in front of his hometown Basel fans.

They say it gets easier with time, but it never does: Alexander Frei is injured on the doorstep of a major tournament.

He was the tear-jerking story of the Euros in '08 when his knee went to shreds before he'd had a chance to play a full half in front of his hometown Basel fans.

Rounding out the opening stages, reigning European Champions Spain like what they find in Group H. Chile, Honduras and Switizerland will serve as mere speed bumps, but those sides are focused on second place and a trip of their own to the knockout round. Who goes through? Let's take a look.
Spain erased their reputation as big tournament chokers by winning Euro 2008.

By FRANCO PANIZO

With an enviable cast of characters that ply their trade throughout Europe's top clubs, it's easy to see why Spain is considered one of the favorites to lift the World Cup trophy this summer. Having exorcised some of its demons and silenced critics by winning the European Championship two years ago, Spain is still riding high and playing some of the best soccer on the planet.

1) Spain

Will Spain reign this summer or feel the pain? One issue that isn't much to debate is whether or not the powerhouse squad will be able to survive the first round of the tournament. Expect the world Cup favorites to collect nine points over their group table and expect no team to score more goals while doing so.

Wednesday, June 16th, 15:00 GMT, Moses Mabhida Stadium

There are a few teams every four years who I look at and think, "Do they really need to participate in the group stage? Can't they just get an automatic bye into the Round of 16?" I know it may not be smart for me to think that, but Spain is certainly one of those teams.

style="float:left; margin-right:.25em;"Match Details Spain-Switzerland, Group H, Durban, Wednesday 16 June, 14.00 (local time) Why Switzerland would win? Heart and inspiration. Switzerland doesn't have the star studded talent like Spain and they have health problems as Alexander Frei and Valon Behrami could not play.

Phillipe Senderos will try and stop Spain: Well he did try!

Spain vs Switzerland, Group H, Durban, Wednesday, 16 June

The most anticipated team in the World Cup finally gets to come on stage. So far we have only had the Germans (you read right) who managed to combine attractive and effective football on a consistent basis throughout their first match.

The final Group, "H" kicks off Wednesday June 16th with Spain taking center stage against Switzerland as the 800 pound gorilla and favorites to take the cup home.

Spain AKA: La Furia Roja

Much concern mounted weeks leading to the World Cup with several key players injured for Spain.

By TRAVIS CLARK

The World Cup has been starved for goals. With the last two teams set to kick off, can Spain -- touted by many as favorites to hoist the Cup -- reverse this trend when they take on Switzerland (ESPN, ESPN3, 10:00am)?

World Cup success has eluded La Furia Roja, and today will be their first test of how they live up to the hype.

Qualification: 1st in European Qualification Group 2 World Ranking: 18 Head Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld Most Capped Player: Heinz Hermann 177 (1978-1991) Top Goalscorer: Alexander Frei 40 (2001-present).

Star Players: Tranquilo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen, Ger), Alexander Frei (Basel).

Qualification: 1st in European Qualification Group 2 World Ranking: 18 Head Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld Most Capped Player: Heinz Hermann 177 (1978-1991) Top Goalscorer: Alexander Frei 40 (2001-present).

Star Players: Tranquilo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen, Ger), Alexander Frei (Basel).

>> Click Here To Watch Chile VsSwitzerland Live Now <<

Chile Vs Switzerland Live Streaming & Match Preview
FIFA World Cup 2010 – Chile Vs Switzerland Live Online Click Here
Monday, June 21st 2010
Kick Off : 15:00 BST
Venue : Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth South Africa

This World Cup 2010 group H game between Chile and Switzerland will take place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday 21 June 2010, kick-off set for 3:00 PM.

More Swiss delight on the cards against South American dark horses?

Think Argentina will lift the World Cup? Bet with Betfair and get £25 free!

Get Your Anti Vuvuzela T-Shirt Now!

Switzerland will be without defender Philippe Senderos, who injured his right ankle against Spain.

The two Group H winners on opening day square off as Switzerland and Chile battle for the group's top spot in Port Elizabeth (ESPN, ESPN3.com, 10:00 a.m.). Both managed to win their first matches of the World Cup, though Switzerland's win over Spain stole the spotlight.

Chile put in a solid attacking performance against Honduras, but were unable to finish numerous opportunities.

Chile 1-0 Switzerland Behrami sees red as La Roja prevail is a post from: Just Football

Chile secured their second 1-0 win of the tournament, yet qualification is far from being assured. Having won so many plaudits for their attacking display that overwhelmed Honduras, Chile's fluent football was disrupted by a surface ridden with divots which caused problems, particularly with Chile's slick passing game.

The Bundesliga Was Represented By 69 Players At World Cup 2010.

As the world's eyes turned to South Africa to watch football played at it's highest level, the Bundesliga also looked on as players from many of the different clubs in Germany's top division battled it out for World Cup glory.

The Bundesliga Was Represented By 69 Players At World Cup 2010.

As the world's eyes turned to South Africa to watch football played at it's highest level, the Bundesliga also looked on as players from many of the different clubs in Germany's top division battled it out for World Cup glory.

Spurs will legitimately believe that they have the easiest of draws with their Champions League play off opponents being Swiss club, Young Boys.

It could have been worse- Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev, French Ligue's Auxerre, or the Serie's Sampdoria.

However, the Swiss runners up showed they cannot be taken lightly as they outplayed a very good Fenerbahçe to advance to this stage.

Brago shocked Sevilla in the Champions League play-offs as a hat-trick from Lima allowed Braga to win 4-3 against Sevilla in Spain and progress 5-3 on aggregate.

Braga held a 1-0 lead following the first leg and goals from Matheus after 31 minutes and Lima after 58 minutes, three minutes after he came on as a substitute, put the visitors 3-0 up on aggregate.

By AVI CREDITOR

Sacha Kljestan's UEFA Champions League dream is over before it could even get started.

Kljestan's RSC Anderlecht fell in its Champions League qualifier to Partizan Belgrade in penalties (3-2) Tuesday after dramatically scoring twice midway in the second half to send the tie to extra time.

Group E consists of beaten Finalistsfrom last year Bayern Munich, Roma, CFR Cluj and Basle. Below are all the facts you shoul know a bout the quartet.

Full Name: Bayern Munich

Nickname: The Bavarians

Founded: 1900

Ground: Allianz Arena

Capacity: 69,901

Manager:Louis Van Gaal

Nation: Germany

Home Colours: Red

Dangerman:Arjen Robben

Winners: 1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 2000/2001

Full Name: Roma

Nickname: The Wolves

Founded: 1927

Ground: Stadio Olimpico

Capacity: 72,698

Manager:Claudio Ranieri

Nation: Italy

Home Colours: Maroon

Dangerman:Francesco Totti

Winners: 1983/84

Full Name:Basle

Nickname:Bebbi

Founded: 1893

Ground: St.

Schweinsteiger Brace Puts Bayern Munich In Pole Position For The Round Of 16.

Louis van Gaal's side took on Swiss champions FC Basel at St. Jakob Park in Basel tonight, with the hopes of kickstarting their season. Bayern Munich have not been on great form domestically, and have only managed two wins in their first six Bundesliga matches.

8 matches took place on Tuesday afternoon in the second round of the Champions League group stage. Real Madrid, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Arsenal and AC Milan were some of the big clubs in action as the typically exciting UEFA Champions League took place.

In Italy AS Roma defeated Romanians CFR Cluj 2-1 thanks to goals from Phillipe Mexes and Marco Borrielo.

Die Spieler des FC Bayern München waren schon besser in Form – beispielsweise am Ende der vergangenen Spielzeit, als man die Deutsche Meisterschaft und den DFB-Pokal gewann und zudem noch im Finale der Champions League (0:2 gegen Inter Mailand) stand. In die neue Spielzeit sind die Münchner allerdings etwas verhalten gestartet; und das, obwohl im Wesentlichen – mit Ausnahme der Rückkehr einiger ausgeliehenen Spieler – der Kader unverändert blieb.

Frei Knows Bayern Munich All Too Well After His Stint With BVB.

Louis van Gaal's Bayern Munich are set to host an FC Basel side that, with a win, could qualify for the round of sixteen. Die Roten booked their place in the next round of Europe's elite club competition weeks ago, but Louis van Gaal has stressed the importance of winning every game.