Nicolas Quintana is our Swiss Observer, specialist of the Nati

 

Images of violence during the Turkish-Swiss in November 2005 (no sound)

So the match this evening is crucial for both teams, since it will also be a chance for revenge. Frei being injured is making it difficult for coach Kuhn to compose his squad. The team is also lacking forwards, especially with Streller out of form. The solution: to let Yakin begin in the centre with Vonlanthen and Derdiyok (the tournament's youngest player). In any case Streller should be left out as he wasn't impressive enough in the match against the Czech Republic. Having said that, Kuhn must be regretting his decision to leave Lustrinelli out of the team, but at the same time one couldn't predict these last minute injuries. One thing is for sure: if we don't take risks this evening, we can bid the Euro good bye."

Our Observer Vicky Morgan in Switzerland walked across the street of Basel hours before a crucial game between Switzerland and turkey.

 

A kebab shop displays both colours before Switzerland - Turkey

By the middle of the day Basel had not yet been overtaken by football fans but most of those who had gathered in the city centre were Swiss fans and there was hardly a Turkish fan to be seen. Whatever the outcome of the match, the Swiss fans definitely win in terms of extravagant headgear

Whoever wins this match will be more in control of their qualification - a loss is not the end of the world, but it does mean that team relies on other results in order to qualify. In that sense both the Turks and the Swiss know they are drinking in the last chance saloon, and so the atmosphere in the city is a bit nervous. The fans seem to be doing their best to dispel their apprehension with the Swiss drinking beer and chanting "Hopp Schweiz!" ("Go Switzerland!") When I turned the corner and finally found plenty of Turkish fans, they seemed to have brought the party to the city - with an enormous round Turkish flag they unveiled on Basel's Johanniterbrucke bridge.

 

Some Swiss fans dressed up to support their team

 

Turkish fans display a giant flag on Johanniterbrucke bridge

The police are very present in town, as the matches between Switzerland and Turkey turned violent in the qualification process for the last world cup. But they seem to be sticking to a soft presence for the moment.

I feel sorry for both sides - as they both want so desperately to win. But if everyone qualified for the next round, this tournament would be a little bit predictable, and dare I say, boring?

 

A discreet but felt police presence  

Mehmet Anik is our Observers in Turkey and he believes his team can win.