Swiss sweat over Barnetta´s fitness

Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland were waiting anxiously on the fitness of influential playmaker Tranquillo Barnetta on Tuesday just days away from their opener against the Czech Republic.

Barnetta, who plays for Bundesliga outfit Bayer Lerverkusen, is struggling with a left ankle injury he suffered in training while Lyon' veteran central defender Patrick Muller is also a worry as he is still searching for match fitness after coming back from a long lay off with a cruciate ligament injury.

Swiss handler Kobi Kuhn, who joined up with the squad belatedly after his wife was hospitalised on Monday, admitted he was resigned to not having them ready for the Czech match in Basel on Saturday.

“I must prepare myself not to be able to select him (Barnetta), and we can cope without him,” said Kuhn, who steps down after the tournament.

“He is not 100percent but I am positive, there is still time for him.

“As for Muller, he is not at the level he needs to be, but that is the case for other players as well. there is still time for him too.”