Swiss plan farewell present for popular boss

Switzerland's players are determined to get a result against Portugal on Sunday as a farewell present to departing coach Jakob 'Kobi' Kuhn, midfielder Gokhan Inler revealed.

Narrow defeats to the Czech Republic and Turkey ended the co-hosts interest in the tournament earlier in the week while Portugal are already through to the quarter finals following victories over the other two teams in group A.

But Inler insisted the match would not be treated as a friendly.

“We will make every effort to win, we want a positive result and we also want to give Kobi Kuhn a great farewell present,” he vowed.

“It is going to be difficult, no doubt about that. But I am sure everyone is fully motivated and we want to win tomorrow. It is a pity we are out after two good performances – it is difficult to accept but we are professionals.”

Kuhn, who is retiring after seven years in charge of the national squad, said he would only pause for thought at the end of the match.

“It is just like any other match and I'm feeling a bit uptight about it. I am not thinking about the end at the moment.”

The match will also be the last match for long-serving goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler, who is retiring from international football, and Kuhn hinted that the 37-year-old could be given the chance to say farewell to the fans, despite no longer being Switzerland's number one.

“It is possible that I might field Zubi,” Kuhn said. “He is qualified and in perfect shape to play.”

Kuhn may have to do without striker Marco Streller, who is still struggling with a groin strain, but teenage forward Erin Derdiyok has shaken off a knock he received in the defeat by Turkey and will be ready to start.